Category: Online Phlebotomy Classes

The phlebotomist's work consists of drawing blood from patients in order to test it, as well as for donations; in a hospital setting, a phlebotomist may perform transfusions as a part of their duties. Phlebotomists do not analyze the blood they draw nor do they administer injections. Since they may be called upon to explain the blood-drawing procedure to their patients, the job requires a phlebotomist to possess good interpersonal skills. Phlebotomists should be prepared to work in stressful, high-pressure conditions. They may work in various types of medical facilities including hospitals, doctors’ offices or in independent laboratories. Their patients can range in age from infants to senior citizens.

Working as a Phlebotomist in Massachussetts

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are 2,800 phlebotomists working in the state of Massachusetts and the median average wage for this job is $36,000. While there is presently no law that requires phlebotomy certification in Massachusetts, it is still a good idea for an individual to get properly trained and certified. A bill requiring such licensing has been introduced and should licensure become a requirement, certification will be an important factor in the phlebotomist's ability to find work.

What Phlebotomists Do

The most common method of drawing blood is called "venipuncture." Venipuncture involves using a needle to find the patient's vein in order to collect blood. This is one of the main skills of the phlebotomist.

• Correctly identify a patient before drawing blood
• Draw the correct amount of blood using venipuncture and other techniques
• Correctly label the specimens they collect
• Effectively communicate with patients as well as with their coworkers
• Use a computer to keep phlebotomy-related records
• Adhere to OSHA regulations

Phlebotomists must be able to understand medical terminology such as instructions from a doctor on how much blood to draw and the type of vial they must use. Most phlebotomy courses will offer students the option of taking a national examination to become certified. Some phlebotomy programs include training on how to use an EKG machine.

Phlebotomy Training in Massachusetts

A phlebotomy training course will include both classroom and clinical sessions. The clinical part of the course will include training on how to draw blood using mannequins, fellow students or actual patients. There are many training programs open to those who wish to become phlebotomists. Prerequisites for a Massachusetts phlebotomy course are typically:

• That they be at least 18 years old
• A diploma from a high school or a GED
• A clean background record
• Good English speaking skills
• The ability to write at an 8th grade level
• The ability to pass a health exam
• An understanding of basic computer applications

A typical phlebotomy training course will consist of topics such as:

• Anatomy related to the body's circulatory system
• Patient safety and confidentiality regarding patient information
• Safety procedures related to blood borne pathogens
• Venipuncture and the complications that may arise from the procedure
• Control of infection
• Interaction with patients
• How to process specimens

In addition to providing valuable training for phlebotomists, a phlebotomy training course is helpful for those who are already in other medical professions; for example, phlebotomy is a requirement for nurses and nursing aides.

More Phlebotomy Classes in Massachusetts

Name	Address	Website
American Red Cross	2000 Century Drive Worcester, MA 01606	http://www.redcross.org/ma/worcester/take-a-class/health-care-training/phlebotomy-ekg-training
Bunker Hill Community College	250 New Rutherford Avenue Boston, MA 02129-2925	http://www.bhcc.mass.edu/inside/89?programID=46&year=2005
Coastal Career Academy	288 Plymouth Ave Fall River, MA 02721	http://www.coastalcareeracademy.com/Courses-Offered.html
Health Care Training Services	657 Quarry Street Fall River, MA 02723	http://www.hctschool.com/course_PhlebotomyTechnician.html
MassBay Community College	19 Flagg Drive Framingham, MA 01702-5928	http://www.massbay.edu/Academics/Health-Sciences/Degree---Certificate-Programs.aspx
Medical Professional Institute	380 Pleasant Street Malden, MA 02148	http://mpi.edu/programs/phlebotomy-ekg-program/
Middlesex Community College	Lowell Campus- 33 Kearney Square Lowell, MA 01852	http://catalog.middlesex.mass.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=4&poid=364&returnto=317
Mount Wachusett Community College	444 Green Street Gardner, MA 01440	http://mwcc.edu/catalog/degrees-certificates/phlebotomy-certificate-of-completion-plb/
North Shore Technical College	30 Log Bridge Road Middleton, MA 01940	http://www.nsths.net/adulted/index.php?option=com_redevent&view=details&id=23%3Aphlebotomist-training&xref=24
Norhtheast Metropolitan Community Education	100 Hemlock Road Wakefield, MA 01880	http://www.neadulted.com/registration/online-registration/event/288/Phlebotomy-Training---Thursdays.html
Phlebotomy and EKG Training Program	38 11th Avenue Haverhill, MA 01830	http://keystrokestudios.com/www.phlebekg.com/About.html
Quincy College	1250 Hancock Street Quincy Center, MA 02169	http://quincycollege.edu/index.php/academic-divisions/natural_health_sciences/#trig6
South Coast Training LLC.	69 Main Street Fairhaven, MA 02719	http://www.southcoasttraining.com/Forms.aspx
Springfield Technical Community College	One Armory Square Suite 16/131 Springfield, MA 01102-9000	http://www.stcc.edu/wd/descriptions/zall-008.asp
Northeast Technical Institute	Haverhill Campus-191 Merrimack Street Suite 201 Haverhill, MA 01830	http://www.nti-school-info.com/phlebotomy-ekg.html
Northeast Technical Institute	Methuen Campus- 55 Hampshire Road Methuen, MA 01844	http://www.nti-school-info.com/phlebotomy-ekg.html
Northern Essex Community College	Haverhill Campus- 100 Elliott Street Haverhill, MA 01830	http://www.necc.mass.edu/academics/courses-programs/areas/health/phlebotomy/
Northern Essex Community College	Lawrence Campus- 45 Franklin Street and 52 Franklin Street Lawrence, MA 01840	http://www.necc.mass.edu/academics/courses-programs/areas/health/phlebotomy/
Northern Essex Community College	Riverwalk Campus- 360 Merrimack Street Lawrence, MA 01843	http://www.necc.mass.edu/academics/courses-programs/areas/health/phlebotomy/
Health Training Center	Attleboro Campus- 451 Elm Street North Attleboro, MA 02760	http://www.healthtrainingcenter.com/program-descriptions
Health Training Center	Cambridge Campus- 358 Broadway Cambridge, MA 02139	http://www.healthtrainingcenter.com/program-descriptions
Health Training Center	Chelmsford Campus- 296 Chelmsford Street Chelmsford, MA 01824	http://www.healthtrainingcenter.com/program-descriptions
Health Training Center	Framingham Campus- 1671 Worcester Rd Framingham, MA 01701	http://www.healthtrainingcenter.com/program-descriptions
Massasoit Community College	Brockton Campus-One Massasoit Blvd. Brockton, MA 02302	http://www.massasoit.mass.edu/acad_depts/certs/phlebot_ih.cfm
Massasoit Community College	Canton Campus-900 Randolph Street Canton, MA 02021-1372	http://www.massasoit.mass.edu/acad_depts/certs/phlebot_ih.cfm