Selecting a Phlebotomy School near Dravosburg Pennsylvania

Choosing the right phlebotomy technician school near Dravosburg PA is a critical first step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging undertaking to investigate and compare each of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you perform your due diligence to make sure that you receive a quality education. In reality, most prospective students begin the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional factor you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll discuss more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and must be part of your decision process also. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you choose the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomy Technician Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their main task, there is in fact far more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the tools being utilized are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork has to be properly completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory screening process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Dravosburg PA phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are responsible for ensuring that samples are tested correctly under the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they may be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The easiest response is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are many and varied, such as Dravosburg PA medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing blood from a particular kind of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be drawing blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Education, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially 2 kinds of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Dravosburg PA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to finish and provides a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they typically require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program provide a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt 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 primary 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 phlebotomy tech, like California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a quality education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Colleges

To begin with, let’s dispel one likely misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A good component of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Dravosburg 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 prior to graduation. But since the non-practical portion of the training may be accessed online, it may be a more practical alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, many online colleges are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some expenditures, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy school you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the ideal option for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Now that you have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already decided on the type 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 school is significant as well as the cost of tuition. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist college. All of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for choosing a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Following are a few questions that you need to ask about all of the Dravosburg PA colleges you are looking at prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Pennsylvania? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed before working 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 choose a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you pick should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited program aside from a guarantee of a quality education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools in Dravosburg PA. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of all colleges you are reviewing. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even contact several Dravosburg PA area hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and ask if they can provide any recommendations. 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 total compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? First, check with the Pennsylvania regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Dravosburg PA phlebotomy program that you are considering should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Find out from the Pennsylvania colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional medical facilities. They are the ideal way to receive hands-on practical training typically not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Dravosburg PA health care community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Landing your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the programs you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the Dravosburg PA healthcare community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s crucial to verify that the ultimate program you pick provides classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is particularly true if you opt to still work while attending college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Dravosburg PA, make sure they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option also. 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 protocol is in case you need to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomist?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's important to review questions you might be asked. Among the questions that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomist prospects is "What made you decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not merely the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what attributes and abilities you possess that make you exceptional at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of standard interview questions, so you should prepare some strategies about how you would like to respond to them. Since there are several variables that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession interests you as well as the abilities you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Technician and the perfiect choice for the position. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but take down a few concepts and anecdotes that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample responses can help you to formulate your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to include to impress the recruiter.

Choose the Best Phlebotomist College near Dravosburg PA

Making certain that you choose the ideal phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare field. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior college. Phlebotomist training programs can be available in a number of educational institutions, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide array of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Program options may vary slightly from state to state as each state has its own requirements when it concerns phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to thoroughly research and compare each college before making your ultimate choice. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the best program for you. And with the proper education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Dravosburg PA.

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