Phlebotomy For Nurses Training Classes Northampton MA

How to Find the Best Phlebotomy Tech Training Classes near Northampton Massachusetts

Northampton MA phlebotomist drawing blood from patientEnrolling in the ideal phlebotomy school near Northampton MA is an important initial step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging undertaking to assess and compare all of the school options that are available to you. However it’s vital that you do your due diligence to make sure that you receive a superior education. In fact, many prospective students begin their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another option you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online classes later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and need to be part of your decision process as well. Toward that end, we will supply 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 cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online classes.

Request Free Information on Phlebotomy Training Near You!

Should You Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

blood analysis performed in Northampton MA labFirst of all, few people are likely to know what a phlebotomy tech or phlebotomist is. The short definition is a health care professional who draws blood from patients. We will provide more details later. So naturally anyone who decides to enter this profession must be comfortable with needles and blood. And if you are nervous in hospitals or other Northampton MA medical environments, well this job 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 taken. And because many medical facilities are open around the clock, you will probably be expected to work weekends, evenings and, you guessed it even on holidays. But if you don’t mind working with the needles and blood, and if you enjoy interacting with people and are patient and compassionate, this could be the right job for you.

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

Phlebotomy Technician Career Description

Northampton MA phlebotomist holding blood sampleA phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their principal function, there is actually so much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the instruments being used are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample has to be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork must be correctly filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of phlebotomists in fact work in Northampton MA labs and are in charge of ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly utilizing the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they can be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The simplest response is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are many and diverse, including Northampton MA hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be charged to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a specific kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Licensing and Certification

Northampton MA phlebotomy tech drawing bloodThere are basically 2 kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomist training, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to complete and furnishes a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they typically take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program offer a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. Although not mandated in most states, many Northampton MA employers require certification before employing technicians. Some of the key 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 in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, such as California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a superior education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Certificates and Degrees

Northampton MA student attending online phlebotomy classesTo start with, let’s resolve one potential mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A good part of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility. Numerous courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-practical portion of the training may be attended online, it could be a more practical alternative for some Northampton MA students. As an additional benefit, some online colleges are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened also. Just verify that the online phlebotomist college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online might be the right option for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

What to ask Northampton MA phlebotomy schoolsSince you now have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already picked the kind 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 significant if you will be commuting from Northampton MA as well as the cost of tuition. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an accredited online phlebotomy program. Each of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for picking a phlebotomy program or school. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you need to ask about all of the schools you are looking at prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Massachusetts? As earlier discussed, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for Massachusetts or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you pick should be accredited by a recognized national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a premium education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are often unavailable for non-accredited programs. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the Northampton MA job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of any schools you are looking at. 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 reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also contact some Northampton MA clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and see if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the Massachusetts school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Enough Training Provided? To begin with, contact the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any phlebotomist program that you are considering should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internships Included? Find out from the colleges 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 clinical training frequently not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Northampton MA medical community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Landing your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation together with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Northampton MA health care community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? And last, it’s critical to verify that the final program you pick provides classes at times that are compatible with your busy schedule. This is especially true if you decide to still work while going to school. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Northampton MA, make sure they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option also. 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 protocol is should you need to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Phlebotomy Classes Near Me Northampton MA

Phlebotomy For Nurses Training Classes Northampton Massachusetts

Making sure that you enroll in the ideal phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding medical care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a superior college. Phlebotomy training programs can be available in a wide range of educational institutions, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings can vary a bit from state to state as every state has its own prerequisites when it comes to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must carefully research and compare each college before making your ultimate selection. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Phlebotomy For Nurses Training Classes and to get more information regarding How Much Is Phlebotomy School.  However, by asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the ideal phlebotomist school for you. And with the appropriate training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Northampton MA.

More Massachusetts Bloody Wonderful Locations

  • Phlebotomy Training Cost Fitchburg MA
  • Weekend Phlebotomy Classes South Walpole MA
  • How To Train To Be A Phlebotomist Becket MA
  • Phlebotomy Technician Schools Near Me Holliston MA
  • What Is A Phlebotomy Technician Roslindale MA
  • Online Phlebotomy Programs Hatfield MA
  • Phlebotomy Training Program Near Me Raynham MA
  • Phlebotomists Training Courses Barnstable MA
  • Accelerated Phlebotomy Training West Townsend MA
  • Phlebotomy Training Classes Near Me Cheshire MA
  •  

     

     

    Northampton, Massachusetts

    The city of Northampton /nɔːrθˈhæmptən/[13] is the county seat of Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States.[14] As of the 2010 census, the population of Northampton (including its outer villages, Florence and Leeds) was 28,549.[15]

    Northampton is known as an academic, artistic, musical, and countercultural hub. It features a large politically liberal community along with numerous alternative health and intellectual organizations.[16] Based on U.S. Census demographics, election returns, and other criteria, the website Epodunk rates Northampton as the most politically liberal medium-size city (population 25,000–99,000) in the United States.[17] The city has a high proportion of residents who identify as gay and lesbian,[18][19] a high number of same-sex households,[20] and is a popular destination for the LGBT community.[21][22]

    Northampton is part of the Pioneer Valley and is one of the northernmost cities in the Knowledge Corridor—a cross-state cultural and economic partnership with other Connecticut River Valley cities and towns. Northampton is part of the Springfield Metropolitan Area, one of western Massachusetts's two separate metropolitan areas. It sits approximately 19 miles (31 km) north of the city of Springfield.

     

     

    Business Results 1 - 10 of 12

    Valley Medical Group
    5 Reviews
    Family Practice
    Phone:
    238 Northampton St, Easthampton, MA 01027

    Quest Diagnostics
    2 Reviews
    Laboratory Testing
    Phone:
    190 Nonotuck St, Ste 104, Florence, MA 01062

    AFC Urgent Care Springfield
    6 Reviews
    Urgent Care, Walk-in Clinics
    Phone:
    415 Cooley St, Ste 3, Springfield, MA 01128

    Northampton Integrative Medicine
    13 Reviews
    Allergists, Preventive Medicine, Naturopathic/Holistic
    Phone:
    395 Pleasant St, Northampton, MA 01060

    Baystate Medical Center Cancer Services
    3 Reviews
    Medical Centers
    Phone:
    759 Chestnut St, Springfield, MA 01199

    AEIOU Occupational & Urgent Healthcare
    22 Reviews
    Urgent Care, Doctors
    Phone:
    170 University Dr, Ste 202, Amherst, MA 01002

    Quest Diagnostics
    4 Reviews
    Laboratory Testing
    Phone:
    54 Hazard Ave, Ste 90, Enfield, CT 06082

    Valley Medical Group
    15 Reviews
    Family Practice, Physical Therapy, Medical Centers
    Phone:
    31 Hall Dr, Amherst, MA 01002

    Hartford HealthCare-GoHealth Urgent Care
    7 Reviews
    Urgent Care
    Phone:
    54 Hazard Ave, Enfield, CT 06082

    Enfield Medical Associates
    2 Reviews
    Medical Centers
    Phone:
    701 Enfield St, Enfield, CT 06082