Selecting a Phlebotomist Course near Bedford Massachusetts

Selecting the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Bedford MA is an important first step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting undertaking to investigate and compare each of the training alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you do your due diligence to make certain that you get a quality education. In reality, most prospective students start the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional factor you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll talk more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and need to be part of your decision process too. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you pick the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomy Tech Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their main task, there is actually much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork must be correctly completed in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Bedford MA phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are accountable for ensuring that samples are tested properly utilizing the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they can be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The quickest answer is wherever there are patients. Their work places are many and varied, such as Bedford MA hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a particular type of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be drawing blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Licensing and Certification

There are basically two kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Bedford MA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to finish and provides a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they usually require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program furnish a more expansive background in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, most employers require certification before hiring technicians. A few of the key certifying agencies include:

• National Phlebotomy Association
• National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
• American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
• American Medical Technologists (AMT)

There are several states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, such as California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a quality education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Schools

To begin with, let’s dispel one potential misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant component of the course of study will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Bedford MA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-clinical portion of the training can be accessed online, it could be a more practical option for some students. As an added benefit, some online colleges are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenses, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomist program you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a quality education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online may be the right option for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Now that you have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already decided on the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Massachusetts campus is significant in addition to the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomy online program. Each of these decisions are an important component of the process for selecting a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you need to ask about each of the Bedford MA colleges you are considering before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Massachusetts? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed before working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for Massachusetts or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from a guarantee of a superior education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited schools in Bedford MA. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of all colleges you are looking at. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even contact several Bedford MA local clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and ask if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the Massachusetts school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Included? To begin with, check with the Massachusetts regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Bedford MA phlebotomist program that you are considering should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internships Included? Ask the Massachusetts colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with regional healthcare facilities. They are the optimal way to get hands-on clinical training frequently not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Bedford MA healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Finding your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Ask if the schools you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Bedford MA medical community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s important to make sure that the ultimate school you pick offers classes at times that are compatible with your busy lifestyle. This is particularly important if you opt to still work while going to school. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Bedford MA, make certain they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option also. And if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is in case you have to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's important to consider questions you could be asked. One of the questions that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What made you select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not just the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what attributes and talents you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of typical interview questions, so you need to prepare some strategies about how you would like to respond to them. Given that there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the strengths you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Technician and the best choice for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but take down a few ideas and anecdotes that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Going over sample answers can help you to develop your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the interviewer.

Find the Right Phlebotomist College near Bedford MA

Making certain that you choose the ideal phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding health care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be offered in a wide range of educational institutes, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide range of courses in medical care and health sciences. Training program options can vary slightly from state to state as every state has its own requirements when it comes to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must diligently evaluate and compare each school before making your final choice. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the right college for you. And with the appropriate education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Bedford MA.

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