Selecting a Phlebotomist School near Lakeville Massachusetts

Choosing the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Lakeville MA is a critical first step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging undertaking to investigate and compare each of the training alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you complete your due diligence to make certain that you get a superior education. In fact, most prospective students start their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Another option you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll talk more about online schools later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and should be part of your decision process also. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you select the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their principal duty, there is in fact much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must check that the instruments being utilized are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork must be accurately completed to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory testing process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Lakeville MA phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are responsible for making certain that samples are tested properly utilizing the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they might be required to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The simplest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are numerous and diverse, such as Lakeville MA medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a certain kind of patient. For example, those practicing 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 collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Training, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily two types of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Lakeville MA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to complete and provides a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will include training to become a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they usually take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program furnish a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. Although not required in most states, a number of employers require certification before hiring technicians. Some of the main 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 phlebotomist, such as Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only furnishes a quality education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Certificates and Degrees

To start with, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A good portion of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Lakeville MA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-clinical component of the training can be accessed online, it may be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an added benefit, many online programs are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some costs, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a superior education with this method of 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 Phlebotomist Programs

Since you now have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already picked the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Massachusetts campus is important as well as the tuition expense. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomist online program. All of these decisions are an important component of the process for choosing 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 each of the Lakeville MA programs you are considering before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for Massachusetts or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you choose should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a superior education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited schools in Lakeville MA. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of all colleges you are reviewing. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also check with some Lakeville MA area clinics or hospitals that you may 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 find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Adequate Training Provided? 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 classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Lakeville MA phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should provide 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 comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Find out from the Massachusetts programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with local health care facilities. They are the ideal way to obtain hands-on clinical training typically not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Lakeville MA health care community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Finding your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the schools you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement rate 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 substantial network of professional contacts within the Lakeville MA medical community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s critical to make sure that the ultimate program you pick provides classes at times that are compatible with your busy schedule. This is particularly important if you opt to still work while going to college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Lakeville MA, make sure they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option as well. And if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is should you have to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Choose to Become a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's a good idea to review questions you might be asked. Among the things that recruiters often ask Phlebotomy Technician prospects is "What compelled you to choose Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not merely the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but additionally what attributes and skills you have that make you good at what you do. You will probably be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of routine interview questions, so you should ready some ideas about how you want to respond to them. Since there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the work appeals to you along with the abilities you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Technician and the ideal choice for the job. Don't try to memorize an answer, but write down a few ideas and topics that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Reading through sample responses can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to wow the interviewer.

Find the Ideal Phlebotomist Program near Lakeville MA

Making certain that you pick the ideal phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare field. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are offered in a variety of educational institutions, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide array of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program options can differ a bit across the country as each state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must thoroughly research and compare each program prior to making your ultimate decision. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the ideal college for you. And with the appropriate training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Lakeville MA.

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