Choosing a Phlebotomist Training Program near Bryn Mawr Pennsylvania

Selecting the right phlebotomy school near Bryn Mawr PA is a critical first step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult task to analyze and compare each of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you receive a superior education. In reality, many potential students begin the process by looking at two 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 more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is much 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 decision process as well. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you select the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomy Technician Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their primary task, there is actually far more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the instruments being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork needs to be correctly filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab 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 infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Bryn Mawr PA phlebotomists actually work in labs and are responsible for making certain that samples are analyzed correctly using the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they can be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The easiest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their workplaces are numerous and varied, such as Bryn Mawr PA medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a particular type of patient. For instance, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Education, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially two kinds of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Bryn Mawr PA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to complete and furnishes 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 exclusively 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 accessible and as a four year program offer a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will probably want to get certified. While not required in the majority of states, most employers require certification prior to employing technicians. Some of the key 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 phlebotomist, including California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a superior education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Training

To start with, let’s resolve one likely mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A good component of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Bryn Mawr 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 can be attended online, it may be a more convenient alternative for many students. As an added benefit, many online programs are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some costs, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a premium education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the right choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Now that you have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already picked 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 relevant as well as the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy school. All of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for selecting a program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are a few questions that you should ask about all of the Bryn Mawr PA colleges you are looking at before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed before practicing 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 phlebotomy program that fulfills 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 program and school you choose should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a premium education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges in Bryn Mawr PA. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to check the reputations of any schools you are reviewing. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also talk to several Bryn Mawr PA area hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and ask if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Adequate Training Provided? To begin with, contact the Pennsylvania regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Bryn Mawr PA phlebotomist program that you are looking at should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internships Included? Ask the Pennsylvania colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with regional health care facilities. They are the ideal means to receive hands-on clinical training typically not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Bryn Mawr PA medical community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Landing your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the Bryn Mawr PA health care community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s critical to verify that the ultimate college you choose provides classes at times that will accommodate your busy schedule. This is especially true if you opt to still work while going to school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Bryn Mawr PA, make sure they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option as well. And if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is in case you need to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's advantageous to consider questions you may be asked. Among the things that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomy Tech prospects is "What made you choose Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not merely the private reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what characteristics and abilities you possess that make you good at what you do. You will likely be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of standard interview questions, so you must ready several strategies about how you want to respond to them. Considering there are numerous variables that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this primary question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the abilities you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the leading choice for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but take down some ideas and topics that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Reading through sample answers can assist you to prepare your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to include to impress the recruiter.

Select the Best Phlebotomist Program near Bryn Mawr PA

Making certain that you enroll in the most suitable phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior school. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be offered in a number of academic institutions, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive assortment of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Course offerings may vary a bit from state to state as each state has its own requirements when it pertains to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must carefully screen and compare each school before making your final decision. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the ideal college for you. And with the appropriate training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Bryn Mawr PA.

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