Picking the right phlebotomy school near Lancaster MA is a critical initial step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting task to evaluate and compare all of the training options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you receive a quality education. In fact, most prospective students start the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another factor 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 checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and should be part of your selection process too. Toward that end, we will supply 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 before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online schools.

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Phlebotomy Technician Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their main responsibility, there is actually so much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the instruments being employed are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork needs to be accurately completed to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory testing procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Lancaster MA phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are accountable for ensuring that samples are tested correctly utilizing the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they might be required to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The most basic answer is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are numerous and varied, such as Lancaster MA hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be charged to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a certain kind of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients every day.

Phlebotomist Education, Licensing and Certification

There are basically 2 types of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Lancaster MA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to finish and furnishes a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they normally take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program provide a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, many employers look for certification prior to employing technicians. A few of the primary certifying organizations 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 prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, including Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a premium education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Certificates and Degrees

To start with, let’s resolve one likely mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial component of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Lancaster 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-practical component of the training can be attended online, it can be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an added benefit, many online schools are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomist school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the ideal choice for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Now that you have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already decided on the kind 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 school is important in addition to the cost of tuition. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist college. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the process for choosing a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are a few questions that you need to ask about all of the Lancaster MA programs you are reviewing before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed before working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Massachusetts or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you enroll in 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 school in addition to a guarantee of a superior education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited programs in Lancaster 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 Ranking? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to check the reputations of all schools you are considering. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also check with several Lancaster MA local clinics or hospitals that you may be interested 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 find out 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 find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Lancaster MA phlebotomy program that you are looking at should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Find out from the Massachusetts colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with local healthcare facilities. They are the ideal way to receive hands-on clinical training often not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Lancaster MA healthcare community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Offered? Getting your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a higher rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Lancaster MA healthcare community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s important to make sure that the final college you pick provides classes at times that will accommodate your busy lifestyle. This is particularly true if you opt to continue working while attending college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Lancaster MA, check that 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. 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 find out what the make-up procedure is should you have to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

Find the Ideal Phlebotomy Program near Lancaster MA

Making sure that you pick the ideal phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care field. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be offered in a wide range of academic institutes, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive assortment of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program options may vary somewhat from state to state as each state has its own prerequisites when it concerns phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must thoroughly evaluate and compare each school before making your ultimate decision. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the right school for you. And with the appropriate training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Lancaster MA.

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