Picking a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Seekonk Massachusetts

Picking the ideal phlebotomist training near Seekonk MA is a critical initial step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult undertaking to assess and compare each of the school options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you receive a quality education. In fact, many prospective students begin their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another option you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll talk more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your selection process too. To assist in that effort, we will furnish a list of questions that you should 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 afterwards resume our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomist Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their primary function, there is actually much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork needs to be correctly 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 in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Seekonk MA phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are accountable for ensuring that samples are tested properly utilizing the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they may be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The most basic response is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are numerous and varied, including Seekonk MA medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be charged to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a certain type of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Certification and Licensing

There are basically two types of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Seekonk MA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to complete and provides a general education as well as 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 provide training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they usually require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program provide a more extensive background in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, a number of employers look for certification before hiring technicians. Some 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 call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, including Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a superior education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Schools

To begin with, let’s resolve one potential misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial part of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Seekonk 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. But since the non-clinical portion of the training may be attended online, it can be a more practical alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, a number of online schools are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some expenses, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a quality 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 right option for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Now that you have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already decided on the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Massachusetts campus is important as well as the tuition expense. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist program. Each of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for picking a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you should ask about each of the Seekonk MA programs you are looking at prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Massachusetts? As mentioned previously, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed before working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for Massachusetts or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you select 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 school aside from an assurance of a superior education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools in Seekonk MA. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate the reputations of any schools you are looking at. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also talk to a few Seekonk MA area clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and find out if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the Massachusetts school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Provided? To begin with, contact the Massachusetts regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Seekonk MA phlebotomy program that you are looking at should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internships Provided? Find out from the Massachusetts schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with local health care facilities. They are the optimal means to get hands-on practical training frequently not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Seekonk MA healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Getting your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the programs you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation together with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Seekonk MA health care community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s critical to verify that the final college you select offers classes at times that are compatible with your hectic schedule. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while attending college. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Seekonk MA, check that they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option also. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up procedure is in case you have to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's advantageous to consider questions you could be asked. Among the things that hiring managers often ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What made you choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not only the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but additionally what attributes and talents you possess that make you outstanding at your profession. You will probably be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of general interview questions, so you need to ready some strategies about how you want to address them. Since there are numerous variables that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this primary question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession appeals to you as well as the talents you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomist and the best candidate for the job. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but write down several ideas and anecdotes that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Reading through sample responses can assist you to formulate your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to impress the recruiter.

Enroll in the Right Phlebotomy School near Seekonk MA

Making sure that you choose the right phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomy training programs can be offered in a variety of academic institutions, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive array of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Course offerings can differ a bit from state to state as every state has its own requirements when it comes to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to thoroughly screen and compare each college before making your ultimate selection. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the right school for you. And with the appropriate training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Seekonk MA.

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