Picking a Phlebotomist Training Program near Georgetown Massachusetts

Picking the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Georgetown MA is an essential initial step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging task to analyze and compare all of the training alternatives that are accessible to you. However it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to make sure that you receive a superior education. In fact, a large number of potential students begin their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another factor you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review a bit more about online classes later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and must be part of your selection process too. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you choose the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomy Technician Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their primary function, there is actually so much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the tools being used are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork has to be accurately completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many Georgetown MA phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are in charge of making sure that samples are analyzed properly under the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they might be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The easiest response is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are numerous and varied, including Georgetown MA medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a specific type of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be collecting blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients every day.

Phlebotomist Training, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially 2 types of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Georgetown MA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to complete and offers a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they normally take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program provide a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. Although not required in most states, many employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. A few of the key 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 require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, including California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a premium education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Training

To begin with, let’s resolve one possible misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial part of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Georgetown MA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-clinical part of the training can be attended online, it may be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, a number of online classes are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some expenditures, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a superior education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the ideal choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Now that you have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Massachusetts school is important as well as the cost of tuition. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomy online school. All of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for selecting a program or school. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Following are several questions that you need to ask about all of the Georgetown MA colleges you are reviewing before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for Massachusetts or the state where you will be working and preps you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited program aside from a guarantee of a quality education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited schools in Georgetown MA. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more desirable to potential 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 some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of any schools 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 research online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even contact several Georgetown MA area clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and find out if they can offer any insights. As a final thought, you can check with the Massachusetts school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Provided? 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 length of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Georgetown MA phlebotomy program that you are looking at should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask the Massachusetts programs you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with regional medical facilities. They are the ideal way to obtain hands-on clinical training frequently not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local Georgetown 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 assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Georgetown MA health care community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s important to make sure that the ultimate program you select offers classes at times that are compatible with your hectic lifestyle. This is especially important if you opt to continue working while going to college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Georgetown MA, check that they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option as well. And if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is in case you have to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's advantageous to reflect on questions you might be asked. One of the questions that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomy Technician prospects is "What compelled you to pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not merely the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what attributes and talents you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of typical interview questions, so you need to organize a number of approaches about how you want to respond to them. Given that there are several variables that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this primary question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the profession interests you in addition to the abilities you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the best candidate for the job. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but write down several ideas and topics that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample responses can assist you to develop your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to impress the interviewer.

Enroll in the Right Phlebotomist School near Georgetown MA

Making sure that you pick the ideal phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this fulfilling healthcare career position. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are 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 healthcare and medical sciences. Program options can vary slightly from state to state as every state has its own mandates when it pertains to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to thoroughly evaluate and compare each college before making your ultimate decision. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the right school for you. And with the proper education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Georgetown MA.

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