Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician Course near Wynnewood Pennsylvania

Enrolling in the right phlebotomy school near Wynnewood PA is an important first step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging task to evaluate and compare all of the school options that are available to you. However it’s important that you do your due diligence to make sure that you receive a superior education. In fact, many potential students start their search by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Another option you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and need to 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 select the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomist Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their main responsibility, there is in fact much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the tools being utilized are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork has to be accurately filled out to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers 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. Many Wynnewood PA phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are in charge of making certain that samples are analyzed properly under the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they can be asked to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The easiest response is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are many and varied, such as Wynnewood PA hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a certain type of patient. For instance, those practicing 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 collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially 2 kinds of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Wynnewood PA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to complete and provides a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they usually require 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program offer a more extensive background in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will probably want to be certified. While not required in the majority of states, a number of employers require certification prior to employing technicians. A few 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 some states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, such as Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a premium education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Training

To begin with, let’s dispel one likely misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A good component of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Wynnewood PA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-practical component of the training may be attended online, it might be a more convenient option for many students. As an added benefit, a number of online colleges are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenses, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist college you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a superior education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Now that you have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already chosen 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 Pennsylvania school is important as well as the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist school. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for choosing a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Following are some questions that you need to ask about each of the Wynnewood PA programs you are looking at before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while a few 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, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be working and preps you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a premium education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited schools in Wynnewood PA. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of all schools you are considering. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even contact some Wynnewood PA local hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and find out if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can check with the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? To begin with, check with the Pennsylvania regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Wynnewood PA phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Ask the Pennsylvania programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with local medical facilities. They are the optimal means to receive hands-on practical training often not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Wynnewood PA healthcare community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Landing your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Find out if the colleges you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Wynnewood PA medical community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s critical to make sure that the ultimate program you pick offers classes at times that will accommodate your active lifestyle. This is especially important if you opt to still work while attending college. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Wynnewood PA, make sure they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option also. And if you have decided to attend 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 in case you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's a good idea to consider questions you may be asked. Among the things that hiring managers frequently ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What drove you to choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not just the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what attributes and talents you have that make you exceptional at what you do. You will likely be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of standard interview questions, so you need to organize some ideas about how you would like to address them. Given that there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the work interests you along with the talents you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomist and the best choice for the job. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but take down a few concepts and talking points that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample responses can help you to formulate your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to include to impress the recruiter.

Select the Right Phlebotomy Course near Wynnewood PA

Making certain that you choose the right phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this rewarding healthcare career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior college. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are found in a number of educational institutes, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide range of programs in medical care and health sciences. Training program offerings can differ a bit across the country as each state has its own criteria when it comes to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to diligently screen and compare each school prior to making your ultimate choice. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the ideal college for you. And with the proper training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Wynnewood PA.

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