Picking a Phlebotomy School near Bethel Pennsylvania

Picking the right phlebotomy technician training near Bethel PA is an essential first step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting task to evaluate and compare each of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a superior education. In fact, most students start the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Another factor you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll discuss more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and must be part of your selection process too. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you choose the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomist Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their primary function, there is actually far more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the instruments being utilized are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample has to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork must be accurately filled out to be able 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 tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some Bethel PA phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are responsible for ensuring that samples are tested properly utilizing the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they can be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The simplest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their workplaces are many and diverse, including Bethel PA medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be charged to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a particular type of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients every day.

Phlebotomist Training, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily 2 types of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Bethel PA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to complete and provides a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they normally require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program offer a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will probably want to get certified. While not required in most states, a number of employers require certification prior to employing technicians. A few 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 some states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, including California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a quality education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Certificates and Degrees

First, let’s resolve one potential misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A good part of the course of study will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Bethel PA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-practical part of the training may be attended online, it may be a more practical option for many students. As an added benefit, some online classes are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some costs, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a premium education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the best option for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Since you now have a basic understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Pennsylvania college is important as well as the cost of tuition. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomist online college. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for choosing a program or school. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you should ask about each of the Bethel PA colleges you are looking at before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be working and prepares you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a superior education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited programs in Bethel PA. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In many 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 important to check out the reputations of any 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 placement program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even check with some Bethel PA area hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and find out if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Ample Training Provided? First, contact the Pennsylvania regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Bethel PA phlebotomy program that you are looking at should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Ask the Pennsylvania colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with local health care facilities. They are the optimal means to get hands-on practical training frequently not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Bethel PA healthcare community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Available? Landing your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are looking at offer 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 an excellent reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Bethel PA health care community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s important to confirm that the final school you select provides classes at times that will accommodate your busy lifestyle. This is particularly true if you decide to still work while attending school. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near Bethel PA, make certain they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option also. And if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is in case you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's advantageous to reflect on questions you might be asked. One of the questions that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What compelled you to choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not just the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what attributes and skills you have that make you exceptional at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of typical interview questions, so you must ready several ideas about how you want to respond to them. Because there are numerous factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession appeals to you as well as the talents you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Technician and the ideal candidate for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but take down several ideas and talking points that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can help you to prepare your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.

Find the Ideal Phlebotomy College near Bethel PA

Making certain that you pick the ideal phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this rewarding healthcare field. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are available in a number of educational institutions, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Training program options may differ slightly from state to state as every state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to diligently research and compare each school prior to making your ultimate decision. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the ideal college for you. And with the appropriate education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Bethel PA.

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