Picking a Phlebotomist Training Program near West Yarmouth Massachusetts

Picking the right phlebotomy technician school near West Yarmouth MA is a critical initial step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult task to analyze and compare each of the school alternatives that are available to you. However it’s important that you perform your due diligence to make sure that you get a superior education. In fact, most prospective students start their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another option you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online classes later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and must be part of your decision 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 choose the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their primary responsibility, there is in fact much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the tools being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be correctly completed to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening 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. Many West Yarmouth MA phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are in charge of making sure that samples are tested properly under the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they might be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The easiest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are many and diverse, including West Yarmouth MA hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a certain type of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially two types of programs that offer phlebotomy training in West Yarmouth MA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to complete and offers a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they normally require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program furnish a more expansive background in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will probably want to get certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, most employers require certification prior to employing 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 several states that do require 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 select a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a quality education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Colleges

First, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant portion of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved West Yarmouth 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. But since the non-clinical portion of the training can be accessed online, it might be a more convenient option for many students. As an added benefit, a number of online colleges are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some expenses, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomist college you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a premium education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Since you now have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Massachusetts campus is significant as well as the cost of tuition. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomy online program. All of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for choosing a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Following are a few questions that you should ask about all of the West Yarmouth MA schools you are considering before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Massachusetts or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you choose should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited program aside from an assurance of a superior education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited schools in West Yarmouth MA. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to investigate the reputations of any colleges you are considering. 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 research online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even check with some West Yarmouth MA local clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and ask if they can offer any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the Massachusetts school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Included? 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 clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any West Yarmouth MA phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums might signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internships Provided? Ask the Massachusetts programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional healthcare facilities. They are the optimal means to receive hands-on practical training often not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local West Yarmouth MA medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Finding your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the West Yarmouth MA healthcare community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to verify that the final program you pick offers classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is especially important if you choose to continue working while going to college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near West Yarmouth MA, make certain they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option also. And if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is in case you have to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Become a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's important to review questions you could be asked. One of the things that hiring managers typically ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What compelled you to select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not merely the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what attributes and abilities you possess that make you good at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of routine interview questions, so you must prepare a number of ideas about how you want to address them. Given that there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the work appeals to you along with the strengths you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Technician and the perfiect choice for the position. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but jot down several ideas and topics that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample responses can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to enthuse the recruiter.

Enroll in the Right Phlebotomist Course near West Yarmouth MA

Making certain that you choose the ideal phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare field. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a superior college. Phlebotomy training programs can be found in a number of academic institutions, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive array of courses in medical care and health sciences. Training program options can differ somewhat across the country as every state has its own requirements when it comes to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to diligently screen and compare each college prior to making your final selection. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the ideal school for you. And with the appropriate training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in West Yarmouth MA.

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