Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Breezewood Pennsylvania

Choosing the ideal phlebotomist training near Breezewood PA is a critical first step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting undertaking to assess and compare all of the school options that are available to you. However it’s vital that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you get a superior education. In fact, many potential students start their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Another option you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll review more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and should be part of your decision process too. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you select the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomist Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their principal responsibility, there is actually far more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must check that the tools being used are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork must be properly completed to be able to track the sample from the point 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 tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Breezewood PA phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are responsible for ensuring that samples are analyzed properly under the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they may be asked to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The most basic answer is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are numerous and diverse, including Breezewood PA hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomists, depending 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 exclusively be drawing blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Certification and Licensing

There are basically two kinds of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Breezewood PA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to complete and furnishes a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they normally take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program provide a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will probably want to become certified. Although not required in most states, most employers look for certification before hiring technicians. A few of the primary certifying organizations 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 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 preps you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Training

First, let’s dispel one possible misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant component of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Breezewood 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 can be accessed online, it can be a more practical alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, many online schools are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenditures, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a superior education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online might be the best option for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Since you now have a basic understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Pennsylvania college is significant as well as the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online college. All of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for selecting a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you should ask about each of the Breezewood PA programs you are looking at prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As previously mentioned, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be working and readies you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a recognized national or regional accrediting organization, for example 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 quality education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges in Breezewood PA. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In a number of states there is little 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 investigate the reputations of all schools you are looking at. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even talk to some Breezewood PA local clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and find out if they can offer any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Enough Training Provided? To begin with, contact the Pennsylvania regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Breezewood PA phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should furnish no less than 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 furnish adequate training.

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

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Finding your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask 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 the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Breezewood PA health care community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to verify that the ultimate program you pick offers classes at times that will accommodate your busy schedule. This is especially important if you decide to continue working while going to school. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Breezewood 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 as well. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is in case you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's helpful to consider questions you may be asked. One of the things that hiring managers typically ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What compelled you to pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not only the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what characteristics and talents you possess that make you exceptional at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of routine interview questions, so you need to ready several approaches about how you want to answer them. Given that there are numerous factors that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you along with the strengths you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Tech and the best choice for the position. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but take down several concepts and anecdotes that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Going over sample responses can help you to prepare your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Choose the Best Phlebotomy School near Breezewood PA

Making certain that you choose the right phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare field. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are available in a variety of academic institutions, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive assortment of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Program offerings may vary a bit across the country as every state has its own mandates when it concerns phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to thoroughly research and compare each college prior to making your final choice. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the best program for you. And with the appropriate education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Breezewood PA.

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