Selecting a Phlebotomy Training Program near Dallastown Pennsylvania

Picking the ideal phlebotomy training near Dallastown PA is an essential first step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting undertaking to analyze and compare each of the training options that are available to you. However it’s important that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a superior education. In fact, many prospective students start the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another factor you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and must 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 evaluating to help you pick the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomy Technician Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their primary responsibility, there is actually so much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the instruments being employed are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork has to be accurately filled out to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many Dallastown PA phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are accountable for making sure that samples are analyzed properly under the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they can be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The easiest response is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are numerous and diverse, such as Dallastown PA hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be charged to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a specific type of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Education, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially 2 kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Dallastown PA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to finish and furnishes a basic education together 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, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they typically take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program furnish a more expansive background in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will probably want to be certified. Although not required in most states, a number of employers look for certification before hiring technicians. Some of the primary 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 require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, such as California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a premium education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Schools

To begin with, let’s resolve one likely misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant part of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Dallastown 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-clinical component of the training may be accessed online, it might be a more convenient option for some students. As an additional benefit, a number of online schools are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some expenditures, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a quality education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the ideal option for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Since you now have a general 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 intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Pennsylvania college is significant as well as the cost of tuition. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomist online college. All of these decisions are a critical component of the process for selecting a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you need to ask about all of the Dallastown PA schools you are looking at before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Pennsylvania? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you choose 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 school aside from an assurance of a quality education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited programs in Dallastown PA. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? 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 essential to check out the reputations of any schools you are considering. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also check with a few Dallastown PA area clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and see if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Included? To begin with, check with the Pennsylvania regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Dallastown PA phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Ask the Pennsylvania colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with local healthcare facilities. They are the ideal means to receive hands-on practical training frequently not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Dallastown PA medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Offered? Finding your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Dallastown PA health care community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s crucial to verify that the final program you choose offers classes at times that are compatible with your active schedule. This is particularly true if you choose to still work while going to college. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Dallastown PA, make sure they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option as well. Even 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 because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's important to review questions you may be asked. Among the questions that hiring managers typically ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What drove you to decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not just the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what qualities and talents you have that make you outstanding at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of general interview questions, so you must ready several strategies about how you want to respond to them. Considering there are numerous factors that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the work appeals to you in addition to the strengths you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the ideal candidate for the job. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but take down a few concepts and anecdotes that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample answers can help you to prepare your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.

Choose the Right Phlebotomy School near Dallastown PA

Making sure that you pick the ideal phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying health care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomy training programs are found in a wide range of educational institutes, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Course offerings can vary slightly from state to state as every state has its own mandates when it comes to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to thoroughly screen and compare each college before making your ultimate choice. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the ideal school for you. And with the proper education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Dallastown PA.

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