Selecting a Phlebotomist Course near Altoona Pennsylvania

Enrolling in the right phlebotomy technician school near Altoona PA is an important first step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging task to evaluate and compare all of the training options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you do your due diligence to make sure that you get a superior education. In fact, a large number of potential students start their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another option you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll talk more about online classes later in this article. What you need to keep in mind 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 need to be part of your selection process also. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you choose the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their main function, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the tools being utilized are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork needs to be properly filled out 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 may be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Altoona PA phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are accountable for making certain that samples are tested properly under the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they can be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The easiest response is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are numerous and varied, such as Altoona PA medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be charged to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a specific kind of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only 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 practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients every day.

Phlebotomist Education, Certification and Licensing

There are basically 2 kinds of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Altoona PA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to complete and provides a general education as well as 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 incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they normally take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program offer a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will probably want to become certified. While not mandated in most states, many employers require certification prior to employing technicians. A few 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 a few states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, such as Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a superior education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Classes

To begin with, let’s resolve one likely misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial part of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Altoona PA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-practical portion of the training can be accessed online, it can be a more convenient alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, some online colleges are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a quality education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the best option for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Now that you have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already selected the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Pennsylvania campus is significant as well as the tuition expense. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomy online program. All of these decisions are an important part of the process for picking a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are a few questions that you should ask about each of the Altoona PA colleges you are reviewing before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in 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 recognized regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited school in addition to a guarantee of a quality education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are often not available for non-accredited programs in Altoona PA. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s important to check out the reputations of any schools you are considering. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also contact some Altoona PA local hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and ask if they can provide any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Ample Training Provided? First, check with the Pennsylvania regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Altoona 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 indicate that the program is not expansive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out from the Pennsylvania programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with local health care facilities. They are the optimal way to get hands-on clinical training typically not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Altoona PA health care community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Getting your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Altoona PA health care community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? Finally, it’s critical to confirm that the final school you select provides classes at times that are compatible with your active schedule. This is especially true if you decide to continue working while going to school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Altoona PA, check that they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up procedure is in case you need to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's advantageous to consider questions you could be asked. One of the questions that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomy Tech prospects is "What drove you to decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not merely the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what qualities and abilities you have that make you good at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of routine interview questions, so you should prepare some strategies about how you would like to answer them. Considering there are several factors that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the strengths you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the perfiect candidate for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but take down some ideas and talking points that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample answers can help you to develop your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.

Find the Right Phlebotomy Course near Altoona PA

Making sure that you pick the ideal phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding health care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be offered in a wide range of academic institutions, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Program offerings can differ slightly across the country as every state has its own requirements when it concerns phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must carefully research and compare each school prior to making your final choice. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the ideal program for you. And with the proper education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Altoona PA.

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