Selecting a Phlebotomist Course near Douglassville Pennsylvania

Picking the ideal phlebotomy school near Douglassville PA is a critical first step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting task to evaluate and compare each of the school alternatives that are available to you. However it’s vital that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you get a superior education. In reality, many students start the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional factor you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll review a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your selection process too. To assist in that effort, we will provide 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 then resume our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their principal task, there is actually far more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the instruments being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork has to be properly filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory testing process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many Douglassville PA phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are accountable for making sure that samples are analyzed correctly utilizing the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they may be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The most basic answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are numerous and diverse, such as Douglassville PA medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be charged to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a certain kind of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially two types of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Douglassville PA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to complete and offers a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they usually require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program provide a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. Although not mandated in most states, a number of employers look for certification before hiring technicians. Some of the key certifying agencies include:

• National Phlebotomy Association
• National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
• American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
• American Medical Technologists (AMT)

There are several states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, such as California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a quality education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Schools

To begin with, let’s dispel one possible misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A good portion of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Douglassville 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-practical portion of the training may be accessed online, it could be a more practical option for some students. As an added benefit, some online colleges are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some costs, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy school you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a premium education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the best choice for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Now that you have a general understanding 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 want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Pennsylvania school is relevant as well as the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online school. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for picking a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are a few questions that you should ask about each of the Douglassville PA colleges you are reviewing prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As earlier discussed, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for any examinations you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you pick should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a quality education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are typically not available for non-accredited colleges in Douglassville PA. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of all colleges you are reviewing. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even contact several Douglassville PA area hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and see if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Adequate Training Included? To begin with, check with 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 clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Douglassville 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 less than these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internships Provided? Ask the Pennsylvania programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with local health care facilities. They are the ideal way to get hands-on practical training often not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Douglassville PA health care community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Getting your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Douglassville PA healthcare community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s crucial to make sure that the ultimate program you choose provides classes at times that are compatible with your busy lifestyle. This is especially important if you opt to continue working while going to college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Douglassville PA, make sure they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option also. And if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is should you have to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomist?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's helpful to review questions you might be asked. One of the things that hiring managers typically ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What drove you to select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not only the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what characteristics and talents you possess that make you good at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of typical interview questions, so you need to prepare several approaches about how you would like to answer them. Given that there are several factors that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this primary question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the strengths you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Technician and the best candidate for the position. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but jot down several ideas and talking points that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample answers can assist you to prepare your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to enthuse the recruiter.

Choose the Right Phlebotomy Course near Douglassville PA

Making certain that you select the right phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care field. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be available in a wide range of academic institutions, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide range of courses in medical care and health sciences. Program options can vary slightly across the country as each state has its own mandates when it pertains to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to thoroughly screen and compare each college before making your final choice. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the best college for you. And with the appropriate education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Douglassville PA.

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