Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician School near Greenfield Massachusetts

Selecting the right phlebotomy school near Greenfield MA is a critical first step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult task to analyze and compare each of the training options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a quality education. In fact, many prospective students start their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another option you may consider 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’s important to remember is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and should be part of your selection process too. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you pick the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomist Job Description

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. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to confirm that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork has to be accurately filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory testing process. The phlebotomist then transports 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 Greenfield 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 instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The easiest answer is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are many and diverse, including Greenfield MA hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing blood from a specific type of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be drawing blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily two types of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Greenfield MA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to complete and furnishes a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they usually require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program provide a more expansive background in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will probably want to get certified. Although not required in most states, a number of employers look for certification before employing technicians. Some of the main 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 in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, such as Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a premium education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Certificates and Degrees

To begin with, let’s dispel one likely misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A good portion of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Greenfield 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 portion of the training may be attended online, it can be a more convenient option for many students. As an added benefit, a number of online classes are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some expenditures, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened also. Just verify that the online phlebotomist program you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a superior education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online might be the best choice for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Since you now have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already picked the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Massachusetts campus is important in addition to the cost of tuition. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist school. All of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for picking a program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are several questions that you need to ask about all of the Greenfield MA programs you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed before working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Massachusetts or the state where you will be working and readies you for all exams you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting organization, such as 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 quality education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools in Greenfield MA. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, 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 reviewing. You can start by asking the schools for references 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 organizations for their reviews also. You can also contact several Greenfield MA area clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and see if they can provide any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the Massachusetts school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Adequate 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 Greenfield MA phlebotomist program that you are looking at should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums might indicate that the program is not expansive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Find out from the Massachusetts colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with local healthcare facilities. They are the optimal means to get hands-on clinical training often not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Greenfield MA medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Getting your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the colleges you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Greenfield MA health care community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to verify that the ultimate program you pick offers classes at times that are compatible with your hectic schedule. This is especially true if you choose to continue working while going to college. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Greenfield MA, make sure they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm 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 policy is in case you have to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's important to consider questions you may be asked. One of the things that recruiters often ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What made you pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not just the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what characteristics and talents you have that make you outstanding at your profession. You will probably be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of typical interview questions, so you need to ready several approaches about how you want to answer them. Since there are several variables that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession appeals to you along with the abilities you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the leading choice for the position. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but take down a few ideas and anecdotes that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Going over sample responses can assist you to formulate your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.

Choose the Right Phlebotomist College near Greenfield MA

Making certain that you select the right phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be available in a number of academic institutions, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive array of courses in medical care and health sciences. Training program offerings may vary slightly across the country as every state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to thoroughly screen and compare each program before making your final choice. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the ideal program for you. And with the proper training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Greenfield MA.

Learn About Greenfield Massachusetts

 

 

More Interesting Massachusetts Cities

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Williamsburg MA 01096

Phlebotomy Training Schools near North Andover MA 01845

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Scituate MA 02066

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Cummington MA 01026

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Worthington MA 01098

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Duxbury MA 02331

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Savoy MA 01256

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Sherborn MA 01770

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Wrentham MA 02093

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Grafton MA 01519