How to Choose the Best Phlebotomist Training Program near Middleton Massachusetts

Picking the ideal phlebotomy technician training near Middleton MA is a critical first step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting task to assess and compare all of the school alternatives that are available to you. However it’s important that you do your due diligence to ensure that you receive a superior education. In reality, a large number of prospective students start the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Another factor you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll review more about online classes later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating 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 assessing to help you choose the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online classes.

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Should You Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

First of all, few people are likely to know what a phlebotomist or phlebotomy technician is. The short answer is a health care professional who draws blood from patients. We will go into more depth later. So naturally anyone who selects this profession must be OK around blood and needles. And if you are anxious in hospitals or other Middleton MA medical environments, well this profession probably is not right for you. And now let’s talk about the patients. Phlebotomy Techs often work around nervous people who don’t like needles or having their blood drawn. 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 helping people and are compassionate and very patient, this could be the right profession for you.

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Phlebotomy Technician Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their principal function, there is actually much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the instruments being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork has to be properly filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab testing process. 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 phlebotomists in fact work in Middleton MA labs and are accountable for making certain that samples are tested correctly using the strictest quality assurance 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 Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The easiest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their workplaces are numerous and varied, including Middleton MA medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be charged to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a certain type of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be collecting blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially 2 types of programs that furnish phlebotomy training, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to finish and offers a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they normally require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program provide a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. Although not required in most states, most Middleton MA employers require certification prior to hiring technicians. Some of the primary certifying agencies 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, like Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a superior education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Classes

To start with, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant portion of the course of study will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved healthcare facility or an on-campus lab. Numerous courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-clinical component of the training may be accessed online, it could be a more practical alternative for many Middleton MA students. As an additional benefit, many online classes are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some costs, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized also. Just verify that the online phlebotomy college you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a quality education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online might be the ideal choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Now that you have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already selected 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 Middleton MA in addition to the cost of tuition. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an accredited phlebotomist online program. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the process for picking a phlebotomy program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you should ask about all of the programs you are reviewing before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Massachusetts? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for Massachusetts or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you pick should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a superior education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to potential employers in the Middleton MA job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of all colleges you are considering. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their students as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even talk to a few Middleton MA clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and see 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 submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Provided? First, contact the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any phlebotomy program that you are considering should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums might indicate that the program is not expansive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Find out from the programs you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional medical facilities. They are the optimal means to obtain hands-on clinical training frequently not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Middleton MA healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Available? Getting your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are reviewing 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 college has both an excellent reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Middleton MA medical community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to verify that the final school you choose provides classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is especially important if you opt to still work while attending college. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Middleton MA, make sure they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option as well. And if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is should you have to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Phlebotomy Prerequisites Middleton MA

6 Week Phlebotomy Course Middleton Massachusetts

Making sure that you select the most suitable phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a superior school. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are available in a wide range of educational institutes, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Training program offerings may vary somewhat across the country as each state has its own mandates when it pertains to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must carefully screen and compare each program before making your ultimate decision. You originally came to this website due to an interest in 6 Week Phlebotomy Course and to get more information regarding 2 Week Phlebotomy Courses.  However, by asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the right phlebotomist college for you. And with the appropriate education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Middleton MA.

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