Picking a Phlebotomist School near Pembroke Massachusetts

Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Pembroke MA is an essential first step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult task to assess and compare all of the training options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you do your due diligence to make sure that you receive a quality education. In fact, a large number of potential students begin the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Another option you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and must be part of your selection process also. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you select the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomist Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their main function, there is in fact far more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to confirm that the tools being employed are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork must be accurately filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab testing process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some Pembroke MA phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are responsible for making certain that samples are analyzed properly utilizing the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they may be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The quickest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are numerous and varied, such as Pembroke MA medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be charged to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a certain type of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be collecting blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients every day.

Phlebotomist Education, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially two types of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Pembroke MA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to finish and furnishes a basic education along 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 exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they typically take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program provide a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. Although not mandated in most states, a number of employers require certification before hiring technicians. Some of the main certifying agencies 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 in order to practice as a phlebotomist, such as Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a premium education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Colleges

First, let’s resolve one likely misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A good portion of the course of study will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Pembroke 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 in order to graduate. However since the non-clinical component of the training can be attended online, it can be a more convenient option for many students. As an additional benefit, many online colleges are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some expenses, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a superior education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the best option for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Since you now have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start 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 mentioned earlier, the location of the Massachusetts school is relevant as well as the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomist online program. All of these decisions are an important component of the process for picking a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Following are several questions that you should ask about all of the Pembroke MA schools you are considering prior to 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 phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for Massachusetts or the state where you will be working and preps you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you choose should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits 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 qualify to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges in Pembroke MA. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s important to check out the reputations of any colleges you are looking at. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even talk to a few Pembroke MA area hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the Massachusetts school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Included? To begin with, check with 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. At a minimum, any Pembroke MA phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Find out from the Massachusetts programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with local medical facilities. They are the optimal means to get hands-on practical training frequently not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Pembroke MA medical community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Getting your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Find out if the colleges you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Pembroke MA healthcare community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s important to verify that the ultimate program you pick provides classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is especially important if you opt to continue working while going to school. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Pembroke MA, make certain 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. Even if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is in case you have to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Choose to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's a good idea to review questions you may be asked. One of the things that hiring managers frequently ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What drove you to pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not only the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what qualities and abilities you possess that make you outstanding at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of standard interview questions, so you should prepare several ideas about how you want to address them. Given that there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this primary question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the strengths you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the perfiect candidate for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but write down a few concepts and topics that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Going over sample answers can assist you to develop your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.

Choose the Ideal Phlebotomy Course near Pembroke MA

Making sure that you enroll in the ideal phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding health care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a superior college. Phlebotomist training programs can be found in a wide range of academic institutes, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive range of courses in medical care and health sciences. Program options may vary a bit across the country as every state has its own mandates when it comes to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must thoroughly screen and compare each college before making your ultimate decision. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the ideal program for you. And with the proper training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Pembroke MA.

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