Selecting a Phlebotomy School near Dresher Pennsylvania

Selecting the ideal phlebotomy training near Dresher PA is an important initial step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging task to analyze and compare each of the training options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a superior education. In reality, many students begin their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Another factor you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk 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 cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your decision process too. To assist in that effort, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you select the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomist Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their main responsibility, there is in fact much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the tools being utilized are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork has to be accurately filled out to be able to track the sample from the time 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. A number of Dresher PA phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are responsible for making sure that samples are analyzed properly utilizing the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they may be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The most basic answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are numerous and varied, such as Dresher PA medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a certain type of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from new patients every day.

Phlebotomist Training, Licensing and Certification

There are basically 2 types of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Dresher PA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to finish and provides a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they typically require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program provide a more extensive background in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will probably want to become certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, most employers require certification prior to employing technicians. A few of the key 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 call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, such as Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a superior education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Schools

To start with, let’s resolve one potential mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant component of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Dresher PA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-practical component of the training can be accessed online, it can be a more practical alternative for many students. As an added benefit, a number of online colleges are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist college you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a quality education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the right choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Since you now have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Pennsylvania campus is important in addition to the cost of tuition. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online college. All of these decisions are an important part of the process for choosing a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you should ask about each of the Dresher PA programs you are looking at prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Pennsylvania? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be working and preps you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited program aside from an assurance of a quality education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are often not available for non-accredited programs in Dresher PA. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of all colleges you are considering. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also check with some Dresher PA local 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 colleges are in total compliance.

Is Ample 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 clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Dresher PA phlebotomist program that you are looking at 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 provide sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Find out from the Pennsylvania schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with local health care facilities. They are the ideal means to get hands-on practical training typically not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Dresher PA healthcare community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Getting your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Dresher PA medical community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s crucial to make sure that the final college you select offers classes at times that are compatible with your active schedule. This is particularly important if you decide to continue working while attending school. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Dresher PA, make certain they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option also. 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 ask what the make-up procedure is in case you have to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's a good idea to consider questions you may be asked. Among the questions that hiring managers frequently ask Phlebotomist applicants is "What made you decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not just the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what qualities and talents you possess that make you outstanding at your profession. You will probably be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of standard interview questions, so you should prepare several ideas about how you would like to answer them. Considering there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this primary question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession interests you in addition to the abilities you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomist and the leading choice for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but jot down several concepts and talking points that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Reading through sample responses can help you to develop your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.

Find the Best Phlebotomy Program near Dresher PA

Making sure that you pick the ideal phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care field. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are offered in a wide range of educational institutions, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Course offerings can differ a bit across the country 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 carefully research and compare each school prior to making your ultimate decision. By asking 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 appropriate education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Dresher PA.

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