Picking a Phlebotomy Technician Course near Wilbraham Massachusetts

Picking the right phlebotomy training near Wilbraham MA is an essential initial step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging undertaking to investigate and compare all of the training options that are accessible to you. However it’s vital that you do your due diligence to ensure that you receive a quality education. In reality, a large number of prospective students start their search by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional option you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll talk more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and should be part of your decision process as well. To assist in that effort, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you select the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomist Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their main function, there is actually far more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the instruments being utilized are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork must be properly completed in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab testing procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Wilbraham MA phlebotomists actually work in labs and are responsible for making certain that samples are analyzed correctly under the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they may be asked to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The quickest response is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are numerous and varied, including Wilbraham MA medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, 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 phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a certain kind of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be drawing blood from older 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 environment would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Licensing and Certification

There are basically two types of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Wilbraham MA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to complete and furnishes a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they normally require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program furnish a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. While not required in the majority of states, many employers require certification before hiring technicians. Some of the principal 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 phlebotomy tech, including Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you enroll in 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 Training

First, let’s dispel one possible mistaken belief. 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 Wilbraham MA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical part of the training can be accessed online, it may be a more convenient option for some students. As an additional benefit, a number of online schools are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some expenses, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomy school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online might be the right option for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Now that you have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already decided on the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Massachusetts school is relevant as well as the cost of tuition. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist school. All of these decisions are a critical part of the process for choosing a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Following are some questions that you should ask about all of the Wilbraham MA schools you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As previously mentioned, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. 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 working and readies you for any examinations you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a recognized national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a quality 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 organizations. Next, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited schools in Wilbraham MA. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to check out the reputations of all schools you are looking at. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even talk to some Wilbraham MA area hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and find out if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the Massachusetts school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Ample Training Included? 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 clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Wilbraham 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 practical training. Anything lower than these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internships Provided? Ask the Massachusetts colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional medical facilities. They are the optimal way to get hands-on practical training frequently not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Wilbraham MA healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Getting your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Ask if the schools you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Wilbraham MA health care community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s important to confirm that the final college you select offers classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is particularly important if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Wilbraham MA, make sure they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option also. Even if you have decided to study 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 because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's advantageous to reflect on questions you might be asked. One of the things that interviewers frequently ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What compelled you to decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not just the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but additionally what characteristics and talents you have that make you good at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of standard interview questions, so you should ready several approaches 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, try to include the reasons the work interests you along with the talents you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomist and the leading candidate for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but jot down some concepts and anecdotes that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Going over sample answers can help you to formulate your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.

Select the Best Phlebotomist College near Wilbraham MA

Making certain that you enroll in the right phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling healthcare career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomy training programs can be offered in a number of academic institutes, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Program options may vary slightly from state to state as each state has its own requirements when it concerns phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must diligently screen and compare each school prior to making your final choice. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the right program for you. And with the proper education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Wilbraham MA.

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