Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Dartmouth Massachusetts

Choosing the ideal phlebotomist training near Dartmouth MA is an important initial step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging task to assess and compare each of the training alternatives that are available to you. However it’s vital that you do your due diligence to ensure that you receive a superior education. In fact, many potential students begin their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Another factor you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll review more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and should be part of your decision process also. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you select the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online classes.

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Phlebotomy Tech Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their principal task, there is actually much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the instruments being employed are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be properly completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory screening procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Dartmouth MA phlebotomists actually work in labs and are in charge of making sure that samples are analyzed properly under the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they may be asked to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The easiest response is wherever patients are treated. Their workplaces are many and varied, such as Dartmouth MA medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a particular kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Training, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily 2 types of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Dartmouth MA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to complete and provides a general 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, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they usually take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program offer a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will probably want to get certified. While not required in the majority of states, many employers require certification before employing technicians. A few of the primary certifying organizations include:

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

There are some states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, including Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a premium education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Colleges

To begin with, let’s resolve one likely mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant part of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Dartmouth MA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-clinical portion of the training can be accessed online, it may be a more convenient option for some students. As an added benefit, a number of online schools are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some costs, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomist program you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the ideal choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Now that you have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already decided on the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Massachusetts college is relevant as well as the tuition expense. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist school. All of these decisions are an important component of the process for choosing a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you need to ask about each of the Dartmouth MA colleges you are reviewing before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for Massachusetts or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for all exams you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a superior education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited schools in Dartmouth MA. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of all colleges you are looking at. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also check with a few Dartmouth MA area clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and see if they can provide any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the Massachusetts school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Ample Training Included? To begin with, check with the Massachusetts regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Dartmouth MA phlebotomy program that you are looking at should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask the Massachusetts colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional medical facilities. They are the optimal way to get hands-on clinical training frequently not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Dartmouth MA health care community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Landing your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Dartmouth MA medical community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s important to make sure that the ultimate school you choose offers classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is particularly important if you decide to still work while going to school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Dartmouth MA, make certain they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is in case you have to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's important to reflect on questions you could be asked. One of the things that hiring managers frequently ask Phlebotomy Technician prospects is "What compelled you to pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not only the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what qualities and abilities you have that make you outstanding at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of general interview questions, so you should prepare several approaches about how you want to answer them. Considering there are several variables that go into selecting a career, you can address this primary question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession appeals to you along with the talents you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Tech and the perfiect candidate for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but jot down some concepts and anecdotes that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample answers can help you to prepare your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.

Select the Right Phlebotomist Program near Dartmouth MA

Making sure that you select the right phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are found in a number of academic institutes, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide range of programs in medical care and health sciences. Training program options may differ somewhat from state to state as each state has its own mandates when it comes to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to carefully evaluate and compare each school prior to making your ultimate selection. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the ideal college for you. And with the appropriate education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Dartmouth MA.

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