Picking a Phlebotomy Technician School near Bensalem Pennsylvania

Picking the right phlebotomist school near Bensalem PA is a critical first step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult undertaking to assess and compare all of the training options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you do your due diligence to ensure that you get a superior education. In fact, a large number of prospective students begin the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Another factor you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online classes 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 closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your selection process too. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you select the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomy Technician Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their main function, there is actually far more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the tools being utilized are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork has to be accurately completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory screening process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many Bensalem PA phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are responsible for making certain that samples are analyzed correctly using the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they may be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The easiest answer is wherever there are patients. Their work places are many and varied, including Bensalem PA medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing blood from a particular type of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be collecting blood from older patients. If they are practicing 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 range of patients and would work with new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Training, Certification and Licensing

There are basically 2 kinds of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Bensalem PA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to complete and offers a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will include training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they typically take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program provide a more extensive background in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. Although not mandated in most states, a number of 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 some states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, like California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a premium education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Schools

To start with, let’s resolve one potential misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial portion of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Bensalem PA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-clinical portion of the training may be accessed online, it can be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, a number of online classes are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some costs, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist college you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a superior education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the best option for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Now that you have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already decided on 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 Pennsylvania campus is significant as well as the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist college. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the process for picking a program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Following are a few questions that you should ask about each of the Bensalem PA schools you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As previously mentioned, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed before working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for all exams you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you select 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 in addition to a guarantee of a premium education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are often not available for non-accredited programs in Bensalem PA. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s important to check out the reputations of any schools you are considering. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even contact several Bensalem PA area hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and see if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Ample Training Provided? First, contact the Pennsylvania regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Bensalem PA phlebotomy 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 lower than these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internships Included? Ask the Pennsylvania programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with area healthcare facilities. They are the optimal way to get hands-on practical training typically not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Bensalem PA health care community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Finding your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Bensalem PA healthcare community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? Finally, it’s important to verify that the ultimate college you choose offers classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is especially important if you choose to still work while going to school. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Bensalem PA, check that they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option as well. 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 ask what the make-up protocol is in case you need to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomist?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's helpful to reflect on questions you may be asked. One of the questions that hiring managers frequently ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What compelled you to decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not just the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what characteristics and skills you have that make you good at your profession. You will probably be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of typical interview questions, so you should prepare some approaches about how you want to respond to them. Since there are numerous factors that go into selecting a career, you can answer this primary question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the profession appeals to you as well as the strengths you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the leading candidate for the position. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but write down a few ideas and topics that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample responses can help you to develop your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to enthuse the recruiter.

Choose the Ideal Phlebotomist Program near Bensalem PA

Making sure that you pick the right phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be available in a number of educational institutes, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive array of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Program options may differ a bit from state to state as every state has its own mandates when it pertains to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must thoroughly screen and compare each college prior to making your ultimate decision. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the best college for you. And with the appropriate education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Bensalem PA.

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