Phlebotomy Technician Classes Near Me Littleton MA

How to Pick the Right Phlebotomist Training Classes near Littleton Massachusetts

Littleton MA phlebotomist drawing blood from patientSelecting the right phlebotomist training near Littleton MA is an essential first step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting undertaking to investigate and compare all of the training options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you obtain a quality education. In fact, a large number of prospective students begin the process by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Another factor you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is much more to comparing 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 selection process too. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you choose the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online training.

Request Free Information on Phlebotomy Training Near You!

Should You Go to School to Become a Plebotomist?

blood analysis performed in Littleton MA labRight out of the gate, not many people probably know what a phlebotomy tech or phlebotomist is. The basic answer is a medical professional whose job is to draw blood. We will go into more depth later. So of course anyone who decides to enter this profession must be able to handle blood and needles. And if you are not comfortable in hospitals or other Littleton MA medical environments, well this job may not be right for you. And now let’s talk about the patients. Phlebotomy Techs routinely work with nervous people who don’t like needles or having a blood sample taken. And because most health care facilities are open 24 hours, you may be expected to work weekends, evenings and, you guessed it even on holidays. But if you can handle the hours and the blood and needles, and if you enjoy interacting with people and are patient and compassionate, this could be the perfect job for you.

Click Here to Get Free Information on Phlebotomy Training Near You!

Phlebotomy Tech Job Description

Littleton MA phlebotomist holding blood sampleA phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their primary duty, there is actually so much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the instruments being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be accurately completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory testing procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of phlebotomists actually work in Littleton MA labs and are in charge of ensuring that samples are tested properly under the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they might be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The most basic response is wherever patients are treated. Their workplaces are many and varied, including Littleton MA hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be charged to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a certain kind of patient. For example, those practicing 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 collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Training, Licensing and Certification

Littleton MA phlebotomy tech drawing bloodThere are essentially two kinds of programs that provide phlebotomy training, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to finish and furnishes a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they usually require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program offer a more extensive 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 Littleton MA employers require certification prior to hiring technicians. A few of the principal certifying agencies 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 in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, like California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a quality education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Schools

Littleton MA student attending online phlebotomy classesFirst, let’s dispel one likely misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial part of the course of study will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved healthcare facility or an on-campus lab. Many courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-practical part of the training may be accessed online, it may be a more convenient alternative for many Littleton MA students. As an additional benefit, some online schools are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some costs, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a quality education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online may be the ideal choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

What to ask Littleton MA phlebotomy schoolsSince you now have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already picked the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the campus is important if you will be commuting from Littleton MA as well as the cost of tuition. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an accredited online phlebotomist program. Each of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for choosing a phlebotomy program or school. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Following are a few questions that you need to ask about all of the programs you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Massachusetts? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed before working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s very 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 readies you for all exams you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you pick should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from an assurance of a premium education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are often not available for non-accredited programs. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to potential employers in the Littleton MA job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s important to check the reputations of any schools you are considering. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even talk to several Littleton MA hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and ask if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with the Massachusetts school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Adequate Training Included? To begin with, contact the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internships Provided? Find out from the schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with local medical facilities. They are the optimal way to get hands-on practical training frequently not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local Littleton MA medical community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Landing your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the schools you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Littleton MA medical community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s important to verify that the ultimate program you select offers classes at times that will accommodate your hectic lifestyle. This is especially important if you decide to continue working while attending school. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Littleton MA, make sure they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option also. And if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is should you have to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

2 Day Phlebotomy Course Littleton MA

Phlebotomy Technician Classes Near Me Littleton Massachusetts

Making certain that you enroll in the most suitable phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding healthcare career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomist training programs are available in a wide range of academic institutes, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive range of courses in medical care and health sciences. Course options may vary a bit across the country as each state has its own criteria when it pertains to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to thoroughly research and compare each program before making your final selection. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Phlebotomy Technician Classes Near Me and to get more information regarding Become A Phlebotomist.  However, by asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the ideal phlebotomist program for you. And with the appropriate education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Littleton MA.

More Massachusetts Bloody Wonderful Locations

  • Phlebotomy Certification Schools Near Me Wrentham MA
  • Phlebotomy Technician Programs Near Me Mashpee MA
  • Learn Phlebotomy Kingston MA
  • Cheap Phlebotomy Classes South Lancaster MA
  • Phlebotomy Tech School Wellesley MA
  • How To Choose Phlebotomy Schools Deerfield MA
  • Phlebotomy Course Outline Berkshire MA
  • How To Choose Phlebotomy Classes Dartmouth MA
  • Phlebotomy Training Length Whitman MA
  • Phlebotomy Training Courses Near Me Housatonic MA
  •  

     

     

    Littleton, Massachusetts

    Littleton was first settled by Anglo-European settlers in 1686 and was officially incorporated by act of the Massachusetts General Court on November 2, 1715. It was part of the Puritan and later Congregational culture and religion of New England.

    The town was the site of the sixth Praying Indian village established by John Eliot in 1645 consisting of mainly Native Americans of the Nipmuc and Pennacook tribes. It was called Nashoba Plantation, on the land between Lake Nagog and Fort Pond. The term "Praying Indian" referred to Native Americans who had been converted to Christianity. Daniel Gookin, in his Historical Collections of the Indians in New England, (1674) chapter vii. says:

    At the time of King Philip's War between the English and Native Americans, the General Court ordered the Indians at Nashoba to be interned in Concord. A short while later, some Concord residents who were hostile to the Nashoba solicited some militia to remove them to Deer Island. Around this time, fourteen armed men of Chelmsford went to the outlying camp at Wameset (near Forge Pond) and opened fire on the unsuspecting Nashoba, wounding five women and children, and killing outright a boy twelve years old, the only son of John Tahattawan. For much of the war, the English colonists rounded up the Praying Indians and sent them to Deer Island. When increasing numbers of Massachusetts Bay officers began successfully using Praying Indians as scouts in the war, the sentiment of the white settlers turned. In May, 1676, the Massachusetts General Court ordered that Praying Indians be removed from Deer Island.[2] Still, many died of starvation and disease. Upon their release, most survivors moved to Natick and sold their land to white settlers.[3]

     

     

    Business Results 1 - 10 of 94

    Solstas / Quest Diagnostics
    1 Reviews
    Laboratory Testing
    Phone:
    39 Village Square, Chelmsford, MA 01824

    WomanHealth
    11 Reviews
    Obstetricians & Gynecologists
    Phone:
    20 Research Pl, Ste 320, North Chelmsford, MA 01863

    Quest Diagnostics
    2 Reviews
    Laboratory Testing
    Phone:
    20 Hope Ave Ste 311, Waltham, MA 02453

    Boston Vein Care
    5 Reviews
    Medical Centers, Vascular Medicine
    Phone:
    1 Courthouse Ln, Ste 9, Chelmsford, MA 01824

    Massachusetts General Hospital
    4 Reviews
    Hospitals
    Phone:
    40 2nd Ave, Waltham, MA 02451

    Quest Diagnostics
    4 Reviews
    Laboratory Testing
    Phone:
    640 Bolton St, Lakeview Medical, Marlborough, MA 01752

    Mount Auburn Hospital Walk-In Clinic
    38 Reviews
    Medical Centers, Doctors
    Phone:
    330 Mount Auburn St, Cambridge, MA 02138

    Rebecca A Spoerri-Bowman, MD, DO
    4 Reviews
    Family Practice
    Phone:
    173 Cambridge St, Ste 101, Burlington, MA 01803

    Newton-Wellesley Ambulatory Care Center
    2 Reviews
    Medical Centers
    Phone:
    307 W Central St, Natick, MA 01760

    Circle Health Urgent Care
    4 Reviews
    Urgent Care
    Phone:
    199 Boston Rd, North Billerica, MA 01862