Picking a Phlebotomist Course near Cheltenham Pennsylvania

Enrolling in the right phlebotomist training near Cheltenham PA is an important first step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult undertaking to evaluate and compare all of the school options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you receive a superior education. In reality, most prospective students begin the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Another factor you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review more about online classes later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and should be part of your decision process also. Toward that end, we will supply 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 prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomy Technician Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their principal duty, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork must be accurately filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab testing process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Cheltenham PA phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are in charge of ensuring that samples are analyzed properly under the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they may be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The quickest response is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are numerous and varied, such as Cheltenham PA medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be charged to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a certain 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 collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Education, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially 2 kinds of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Cheltenham PA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to complete and offers a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will provide 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 provide a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will probably want to be certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, a number of employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. A few of the key 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 prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, like California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a superior education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Training

First, let’s resolve one potential misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial component of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Cheltenham PA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-clinical portion of the training may be accessed online, it can be a more practical alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, a number of online colleges are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenditures, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy program you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a superior education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the right choice for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Now that you have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already selected the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Pennsylvania college is relevant as well as the tuition expense. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy school. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for selecting a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you should ask about all of the Cheltenham PA schools you are reviewing before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed before working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomist program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be working and readies you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you choose should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a quality 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 previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited colleges in Cheltenham PA. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of all 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 screen internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even check with several Cheltenham PA local clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and ask if they can offer any insights. As a closing thought, you can check with the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges 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 classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Cheltenham PA phlebotomy program that you are looking at should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internships Included? Find out from the Pennsylvania colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with local healthcare facilities. They are the optimal way to get hands-on practical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Cheltenham PA medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Finding your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Cheltenham PA health care community.

Are Class Times Available as Needed? Finally, it’s important to make sure that the final school you select offers classes at times that are compatible with your busy lifestyle. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while going to school. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Cheltenham PA, check that they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is should you need to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's advantageous to review questions you could be asked. One of the questions that interviewers typically ask Phlebotomist applicants is "What made you choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not just the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what attributes and abilities you have that make you exceptional at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of general interview questions, so you need to ready several approaches about how you want to address them. Considering there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you in addition to the talents you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomist and the leading candidate for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but write down several ideas and anecdotes that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample responses can assist you to formulate your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to impress the recruiter.

Enroll in the Best Phlebotomy Course near Cheltenham PA

Making certain that you enroll in the ideal phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying health care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be found in a wide range of academic institutions, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Course offerings can differ slightly across the country as each state has its own criteria when it comes to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to diligently research and compare each college before making your final selection. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the ideal college for you. And with the appropriate education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Cheltenham PA.

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