Picking the right phlebotomist school near Bellwood PA is an essential first step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging undertaking to analyze and compare each of the school options that are available to you. However it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a quality education. In reality, most potential students begin their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another option you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll discuss more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and should be part of your decision process also. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you pick the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online classes.

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Phlebotomy Technician Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their principal function, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the tools being used are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork needs to be correctly completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing procedure. 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. Some Bellwood PA phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are accountable for ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly utilizing the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they can be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The simplest response is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are numerous and varied, such as Bellwood PA medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a certain type of patient. For instance, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be drawing blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Education, Licensing and Certification

There are basically two kinds of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Bellwood PA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to complete and provides a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they typically take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program provide a more extensive background in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. While not required in the majority of states, a number of employers look for certification prior to employing technicians. Some of the principal 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 Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a superior education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Certificates and Degrees

To start with, let’s resolve one likely mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant component of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Bellwood PA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-clinical part of the training can be attended online, it might be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, a number of online programs are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some costs, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced also. Just verify that the online phlebotomist school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the best choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Now that you have a basic understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Pennsylvania campus is important as well as the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomy online program. Each of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for picking a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Following are some questions that you should ask about all of the Bellwood PA programs you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Pennsylvania? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed before working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you pick should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited program aside from an assurance of a premium education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited programs in Bellwood PA. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to check the reputations of all schools you are reviewing. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also contact some Bellwood PA area clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and see if they can offer any insights. As a closing thought, you can check with the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Adequate Training Included? To begin with, contact the Pennsylvania regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Bellwood PA phlebotomy program that you are looking at should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Find out from the Pennsylvania programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with area healthcare facilities. They are the optimal means to receive hands-on clinical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local Bellwood PA medical community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Finding your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Bellwood PA healthcare community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to verify that the final college you select provides classes at times that will accommodate your active lifestyle. This is particularly important if you choose to still work while attending college. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near Bellwood 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 certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is should you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

Find the Best Phlebotomy College near Bellwood PA

Making sure that you pick the ideal phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomist training programs can be offered in a wide range of academic institutions, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive range of courses in medical care and health sciences. Course options may vary a bit from state to state as each state has its own criteria when it comes to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must diligently screen and compare each college before making your final choice. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the right school for you. And with the appropriate education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Bellwood PA.

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