Selecting a Phlebotomy School near Duxbury Massachusetts

Enrolling in the right phlebotomist training near Duxbury MA is a critical first step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult task to investigate and compare all of the training alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to make certain that you get a quality education. In fact, many prospective students begin their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional factor you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll review more about online classes later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your selection process too. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you select the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomy Tech Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their main duty, there is actually far more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the instruments being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork has to be properly completed to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab testing process. The phlebotomist then transports 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 Duxbury MA phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are accountable for making sure that samples are analyzed correctly utilizing the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they might be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The quickest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their workplaces are numerous and varied, such as Duxbury MA hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a specific type of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be collecting blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially two kinds of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Duxbury MA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to complete and offers a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they usually require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program furnish a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will probably want to become certified. While not required in the majority of states, a number of employers require certification prior to employing technicians. A few of the principal certifying organizations include:

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

There are a few states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, such as Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a superior education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Schools

To start with, let’s dispel one potential mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant component of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Duxbury MA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-clinical component of the training can be attended online, it might be a more convenient alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, a number of online colleges are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some expenditures, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a superior education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the best choice for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Since you now have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already chosen 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 school is important in addition to the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online college. All of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for selecting a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you need to ask about all of the Duxbury MA colleges you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Massachusetts? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed before working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomist program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Massachusetts or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from a guarantee of a premium education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are often unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Duxbury MA. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In numerous 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 schools you are reviewing. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can research online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also check with some Duxbury MA local hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and ask if they can provide any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the Massachusetts school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? To begin with, contact the Massachusetts regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Duxbury MA phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Find out from the Massachusetts schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with area medical facilities. They are the optimal way to get hands-on clinical training typically not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local Duxbury MA healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Landing your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Duxbury MA healthcare community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s important to confirm that the final college you choose provides classes at times that will accommodate your busy lifestyle. This is especially true if you choose to still work while attending college. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Duxbury MA, make certain they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option also. Even 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 policy is in case you have to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's advantageous to consider questions you could be asked. Among the things that interviewers often ask Phlebotomy Tech candidates is "What made you choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not just the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what attributes and skills you possess that make you exceptional at your profession. You will probably be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of standard interview questions, so you must prepare several strategies about how you would like to answer them. Since there are several variables that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you in addition to the strengths you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Technician and the leading choice for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but jot down several concepts and topics that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample answers can assist you to formulate your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.

Choose the Best Phlebotomy Course near Duxbury MA

Making certain that you pick the ideal phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be found in a variety of educational institutions, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide range of courses in medical care and health sciences. Course options can differ slightly from state to state as each state has its own mandates when it pertains to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to thoroughly evaluate and compare each college prior to making your final selection. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the best program for you. And with the appropriate education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Duxbury MA.

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