Choosing a Phlebotomy School near Pittsfield Massachusetts

Choosing the right phlebotomy technician training near Pittsfield MA is an essential initial step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting task to evaluate and compare each of the school options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you do your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a quality education. In fact, most students begin their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional option you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll discuss a bit 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 locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and need to be part of your decision process as well. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you pick the best 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 Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their primary task, there is actually so much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the tools being utilized are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork must be properly filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory screening procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Pittsfield MA phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are accountable for ensuring that samples are tested properly utilizing the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they can be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The easiest response is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are many and diverse, such as Pittsfield MA hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a particular kind of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Training, Certification and Licensing

There are basically two kinds of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Pittsfield MA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally 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, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they usually require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program provide a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, most employers require certification before employing technicians. A few 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 call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, like California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you pick a phlebotomy 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.

Phlebotomist Online Colleges

First, let’s resolve one likely mistaken belief. You can’t obtain 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 Pittsfield 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 part of the training may be accessed online, it might be a more convenient alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, a number of online programs are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some costs, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a quality education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the ideal choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Now that you have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already decided on the type 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 phlebotomy online program. All of these decisions are a critical component of the process for picking a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you should ask about each of the Pittsfield MA colleges you are looking at prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Massachusetts? As mentioned previously, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for Massachusetts or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you select should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting agency, for example 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 quality education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are often unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Pittsfield MA. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s important to check the reputations of all schools you are looking at. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also contact several Pittsfield MA area hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and find out if they can provide any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the Massachusetts school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Enough Training Provided? First, contact 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. At a minimum, any Pittsfield MA phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internships Provided? Ask the Massachusetts programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with area medical facilities. They are the ideal means to obtain hands-on clinical training typically not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Pittsfield MA medical community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Landing your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation together with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Pittsfield MA medical community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s important to verify that the final school you pick offers classes at times that will accommodate your hectic lifestyle. This is particularly important if you decide to continue working while going to college. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Pittsfield MA, make sure they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, confirm 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 fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up procedure is in case you need to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you may be asked. One of the questions that interviewers frequently ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What made you pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not only the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what attributes and talents you have that make you good at your profession. You will probably be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of general interview questions, so you should prepare some strategies about how you would like to address them. Given that there are several factors that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the talents you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Tech and the ideal candidate for the job. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but take down a few ideas and anecdotes that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can assist you to develop your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.

Choose the Ideal Phlebotomy Course near Pittsfield MA

Making certain that you pick the right phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care field. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be available in a variety of academic institutions, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive array of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Program offerings may differ somewhat from state to state as each state has its own requirements when it pertains to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to carefully research and compare each program before making your ultimate choice. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the right college for you. And with the appropriate training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Pittsfield MA.

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