Choosing a Phlebotomy Course near Catasauqua Pennsylvania

Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Catasauqua PA is an essential initial step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting task to assess and compare each of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a quality education. In reality, a large number of potential students begin their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another option you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss 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 locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and should be part of your selection process as well. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you pick the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomist Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their main function, there is actually so much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the tools being used are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork has to be properly completed to be able to track the sample from the time 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 may be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some Catasauqua PA phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are in charge of ensuring that samples are tested correctly using the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they can be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The easiest response is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are numerous and varied, such as Catasauqua PA medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be assigned 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 drawing blood from a particular type of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients each day.

Phlebotomist Education, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially two types of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Catasauqua PA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to finish and provides a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they usually take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program furnish a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will probably want to be certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, a number of employers require certification before employing technicians. Some 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 a few states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, such as Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a premium education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Schools

To start with, let’s resolve one potential mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A good component of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Catasauqua 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. But since the non-practical portion of the training can be attended online, it may be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an added benefit, some online classes are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some expenditures, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist program you enroll in 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 superior education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Now that you have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Pennsylvania campus is relevant as well as the cost of tuition. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist college. Each of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for selecting a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you should ask about each of the Catasauqua PA programs you are considering prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Pennsylvania? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be working and preps you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you enroll in should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited program aside from a guarantee of a superior education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are often not available for non-accredited programs in Catasauqua PA. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with 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 students as part of their job assistance program. You can research online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even contact a few Catasauqua PA local clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and find out if they can offer 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 schools are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? 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 length of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Catasauqua PA phlebotomy program that you are considering should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Ask the Pennsylvania programs you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with regional health care facilities. They are the optimal means to receive hands-on clinical training frequently not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Catasauqua PA healthcare community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Offered? Landing your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Catasauqua PA health care community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s crucial to confirm that the ultimate school you pick provides classes at times that will accommodate your busy lifestyle. This is particularly true if you choose to continue working while going to college. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Catasauqua PA, check that they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option as well. And if you have decided to study online, with the clinical 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 have to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's important to review questions you could be asked. Among the things that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomy Tech candidates is "What made you select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not merely the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what characteristics and skills you have that make you outstanding at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of standard interview questions, so you should ready several ideas about how you want to respond to them. Considering there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this primary question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession interests you as well as the talents you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Tech and the ideal choice for the position. Don't try to memorize an answer, but take down a few concepts and anecdotes that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Going over sample responses can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.

Select the Right Phlebotomy Program near Catasauqua PA

Making certain that you enroll in the right phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding healthcare career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomy training programs can be offered in a variety of educational institutions, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive range of courses in medical care and health sciences. Course offerings can vary somewhat from state to state as each state has its own prerequisites when it concerns phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must carefully screen and compare each college before making your ultimate selection. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the best school for you. And with the proper education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Catasauqua PA.

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