Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Adamstown Pennsylvania

Choosing the ideal phlebotomist school near Adamstown PA is a critical first step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging task to investigate and compare all of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. However it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a superior education. In reality, many prospective students start their search by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Another option you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and must 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 reviewing to help you choose 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, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their primary function, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the tools being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork needs to be accurately completed to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory 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 Adamstown PA phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are accountable for making certain that samples are analyzed correctly under the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they can be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The simplest response is wherever patients are treated. Their workplaces are numerous and varied, such as Adamstown PA hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, 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 collecting blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Training, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially two kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Adamstown PA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to finish and furnishes a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they usually require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program furnish a more extensive background in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will probably want to get certified. While not mandated in the majority of 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 some states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, such as California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a superior education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Classes

To begin with, let’s dispel one potential mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial part of the course of study will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Adamstown PA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical component of the training may be accessed online, it may be a more practical option for many students. As an additional benefit, some online schools are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some costs, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomy school you select 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 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.

Points to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Now that you have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already selected the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Pennsylvania campus is important in addition to the tuition expense. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist college. All of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for selecting a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you need to ask about each of the Adamstown PA schools you are looking at prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Pennsylvania? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed before working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomist program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be working and preps you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you enroll in should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from a guarantee of a premium education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools in Adamstown PA. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the School’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 in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of any schools you are looking at. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also contact a few Adamstown PA local clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and find out if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can check with the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Ample Training Included? First, contact 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 clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Adamstown PA phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums might signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internships Included? Find out from the Pennsylvania schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with local health care facilities. They are the ideal means to get hands-on clinical training often not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Adamstown PA health care community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Landing your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation together with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Adamstown PA medical community.

Are Class Times Available as Needed? Finally, it’s important to confirm that the ultimate school you choose offers classes at times that are compatible with your hectic lifestyle. This is particularly true if you opt to still work while going to school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Adamstown PA, make sure they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option also. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make certain 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 because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Desire to Become a Phlebotomist?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's helpful to review questions you might be asked. Among the questions that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What compelled you to decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not merely the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but also what characteristics and abilities you have that make you exceptional at your profession. You will probably be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of general interview questions, so you need to organize a number of strategies about how you want to respond to them. Because there are several factors that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the work appeals to you as well as the strengths you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomist and the ideal candidate for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but write down some concepts and talking points that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Going over sample responses can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to wow the interviewer.

Find the Ideal Phlebotomist Program near Adamstown PA

Making sure that you pick the right phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding health care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomy training programs can be available in a variety of academic institutes, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive range of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings can differ a bit across the country as every state has its own mandates when it pertains to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must diligently screen and compare each program before making your ultimate selection. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the right program for you. And with the appropriate training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Adamstown PA.

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