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Choosing a Phlebotomy Course near Duquesne Pennsylvania

Selecting the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Duquesne PA is an important first step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting task to analyze and compare all of the school options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you get a superior education. In fact, many prospective students begin the process by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional option you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll discuss more about online classes later in this article. What you need 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 factors such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and should be part of your decision 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 select the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomist Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their primary duty, there is actually so much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork must be properly completed to be able to track the sample from the time 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 infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many Duquesne PA phlebotomists actually work in labs and are responsible for making sure that samples are tested properly using the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they might be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The most basic answer is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are many and varied, such as Duquesne PA hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a specific kind of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Licensing and Certification

There are basically 2 types of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Duquesne PA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to finish and offers a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they typically take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program provide a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, many employers require certification before hiring technicians. Some of the main 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 require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, such as California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a quality education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Training

To begin with, let’s resolve one possible mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A good portion of the course of study will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Duquesne PA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-practical component of the training may be accessed online, it might be a more convenient option for many students. As an added benefit, some online schools are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some costs, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a premium education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the right option for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Now that you have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Pennsylvania school is significant in addition to the tuition expense. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy school. All of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for selecting a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are some questions that you should ask about all of the Duquesne PA colleges you are considering prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely 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 readies you for any examinations you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you pick should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited school in addition to a guarantee of a superior education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Duquesne PA. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to check out the reputations of any schools you are considering. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even check with some Duquesne PA area clinics or hospitals 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 find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Adequate Training Included? To begin with, check with the Pennsylvania regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Duquesne PA phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internships Provided? Ask the Pennsylvania programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional healthcare facilities. They are the ideal way to obtain hands-on practical training often not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Duquesne PA health care community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Getting your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the help 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 the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Duquesne PA healthcare community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s important to verify that the ultimate school you choose provides classes at times that will accommodate your busy schedule. This is particularly important if you decide to continue working while going to school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Duquesne PA, check that they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is should you have to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomist?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's helpful to review questions you might be asked. One of the things that recruiters often ask Phlebotomist prospects is "What made you select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not only the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what attributes and skills you have that make you outstanding at what you do. You will likely be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of standard interview questions, so you need to organize several ideas about how you want to respond to them. Because there are several factors that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the profession interests you as well as the abilities you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Technician and the best choice for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but take down some concepts and topics that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample answers can assist you to formulate your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to impress the interviewer.

Select the Best Phlebotomist Program near Duquesne PA

Making sure that you pick the right phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomist training programs are offered in a wide range of educational institutes, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide range of courses in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings may vary slightly across the country as each state has its own criteria when it pertains to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to diligently research and compare each school before making your final selection. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the ideal college for you. And with the proper training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Duquesne PA.

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