Selecting a Phlebotomist School near North Scituate Massachusetts

Picking the right phlebotomy technician school near North Scituate MA is a critical first step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult undertaking to analyze and compare all of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a quality education. In fact, most students start their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Another option you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll discuss 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 accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and must be part of your decision process too. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you choose the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomist Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their primary duty, there is actually much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the tools being employed are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork needs to be accurately completed to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab testing process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some North Scituate MA phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are in charge of making sure that samples are analyzed properly utilizing the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they might be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The most basic response is wherever there are patients. Their work places are many and diverse, including North Scituate MA hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a specific type of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be collecting blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Training, Certification and Licensing

There are basically two kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in North Scituate MA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to complete and furnishes a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they normally take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program furnish a more extensive background in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will probably want to get certified. Although not required in most states, a number of employers require certification before employing technicians. A few 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 several states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, like California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a superior education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Certificates and Degrees

To begin with, let’s dispel one possible mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant component of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved North Scituate 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 in order to graduate. But since the non-practical component of the training may be attended online, it may be a more practical option for some students. As an additional benefit, a number of online classes are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some expenses, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy college 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 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 may be the best choice for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Now that you have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already selected the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Massachusetts campus is significant in addition to the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomy online program. All of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for selecting a program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you should ask about all of the North Scituate MA programs you are considering before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. 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 program and school you pick should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from 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 examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited programs in North Scituate MA. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? 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 in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate the reputations of all schools you are considering. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even check with some North Scituate MA area hospitals or clinics that you may 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 find out if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Included? To begin with, 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. As a minimum, any North Scituate MA phlebotomy program that you are considering should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Ask the Massachusetts programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with regional medical facilities. They are the ideal way to receive hands-on clinical training often not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local North Scituate MA medical community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Offered? Landing your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a higher rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the North Scituate MA medical community.

Are Class Times Available as Needed? Finally, it’s critical to make sure that the final college you pick provides classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is especially true if you choose to continue working while attending school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near North Scituate MA, make sure they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option also. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is should you have to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's advantageous to reflect on questions you might be asked. One of the questions that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomy Tech prospects is "What made you pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not merely the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but additionally what qualities and skills you have that make you exceptional at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of routine interview questions, so you should prepare a number of ideas about how you want to answer them. Since there are several variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you along with the talents you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the leading choice for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but take down a few concepts and topics that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can assist you to prepare your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to impress the recruiter.

Enroll in the Right Phlebotomy Program near North Scituate MA

Making certain that you enroll in the right phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding healthcare career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomist certificate or degree 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 range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Course options can differ somewhat across the country as each state has its own prerequisites when it concerns phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must diligently research and compare each college before making your final decision. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the ideal college for you. And with the appropriate training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in North Scituate MA.

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