Picking a Phlebotomist School near Curtisville Pennsylvania

Choosing the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Curtisville PA is a critical initial step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult task to investigate and compare each of the school options that are accessible to you. However it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you receive a quality education. In reality, most prospective students begin their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Another factor you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and must be part of your decision process also. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you choose the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomy Technician Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their principal function, there is in fact much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork needs to be correctly filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory screening procedure. 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 pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some Curtisville PA phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are accountable for making sure that samples are analyzed correctly under the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they can be asked to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The simplest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are many and diverse, including Curtisville PA hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a specific kind of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from new patients each day.

Phlebotomy Training, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially 2 kinds of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Curtisville PA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to finish and provides a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they usually require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program furnish a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will probably want to be certified. While not required in the majority of states, a number of employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. A few of the main certifying agencies include:

• National Phlebotomy Association
• National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
• American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
• American Medical Technologists (AMT)

There are several states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, such as California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a quality education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Training

To begin with, let’s resolve one possible mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A good portion of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Curtisville PA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-practical portion of the training can be accessed online, it could be a more practical option for some students. As an additional benefit, a number of online classes are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some expenses, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a superior education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the right choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Now that you have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already selected the type 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 relevant in addition to the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomy online school. Each of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for picking a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you need to ask about each of the Curtisville PA programs you are looking at before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you select should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a quality education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools in Curtisville PA. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to check the reputations of any schools you are considering. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even contact some Curtisville PA area clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and see if they can offer any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Provided? To begin with, check with the Pennsylvania regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Curtisville 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 may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Ask the Pennsylvania colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with local health care facilities. They are the ideal way to get hands-on clinical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Curtisville PA healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Available? Getting your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the programs you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation together with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Curtisville PA medical community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s crucial to verify that the ultimate college you choose provides classes at times that will accommodate your busy schedule. This is particularly true if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Curtisville PA, make certain they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify 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 fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is should you have to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's advantageous to reflect on questions you may be asked. One of the questions that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomist applicants is "What drove you to choose Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not just the private reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what characteristics and abilities you possess that make you outstanding at your profession. You will likely be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of routine interview questions, so you must prepare several ideas about how you want to answer them. Because there are numerous factors that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the work appeals to you along with the talents you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomist and the perfiect choice for the position. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but write down several ideas and anecdotes that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Going over sample answers can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to wow the interviewer.

Enroll in the Right Phlebotomy College near Curtisville PA

Making certain that you select the ideal phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding medical care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomy training programs are offered in a number of academic institutions, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive assortment of programs in medical care and health sciences. Course offerings can differ a bit across the country as every state has its own prerequisites when it concerns phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must thoroughly research and compare each school before making your final choice. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the right college for you. And with the appropriate training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Curtisville PA.

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