Picking a Phlebotomist Training Program near Drexel Hill Pennsylvania

Enrolling in the right phlebotomy technician school near Drexel Hill PA is an important first step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult undertaking to investigate and compare each of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to make certain that you get a superior education. In reality, most prospective students start their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another factor you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll discuss more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and should be part of your decision process too. Toward that end, we will provide 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 cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomist Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their main task, there is actually so much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must check that the instruments being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample must 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 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 screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Drexel Hill PA phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are responsible for making certain that samples are analyzed properly utilizing the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they might be asked to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The simplest response is wherever they treat patients. Their workplaces are many and varied, such as Drexel Hill PA hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a certain type of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily two kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Drexel Hill PA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to finish and offers a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they normally require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program furnish a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will probably want to be certified. While not mandated in most states, a number of employers look for certification before employing technicians. Some of the principal 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 in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, such as Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a quality education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Training

To start with, let’s dispel one possible misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A good portion of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Drexel Hill PA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-practical portion of the training can be accessed online, it can be a more convenient option for many students. As an added benefit, a number of online schools are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some expenditures, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy program you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a quality education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the ideal option for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Now that you have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already selected 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 college is important in addition to the cost of tuition. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomist online program. All of these decisions are a critical part of the process for selecting a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are some questions that you need to ask about all of the Drexel Hill PA schools you are looking at before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you choose should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited school in addition to a guarantee of a quality education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited programs in Drexel Hill 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 Program’s Reputation? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate 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 organizations for their reviews also. You can also contact several Drexel Hill PA local clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and see if they can offer any insights. As a closing thought, you can check with the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Ample Training Provided? First, contact the Pennsylvania regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Drexel Hill PA phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should furnish at least 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 expansive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask the Pennsylvania colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with area healthcare facilities. They are the ideal way to receive hands-on clinical training typically not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Drexel Hill PA healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Getting your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Ask if the schools you are reviewing 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 school has both an excellent reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Drexel Hill PA health care community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s critical to confirm that the final school you pick offers classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is particularly important if you decide to still work while attending college. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Drexel Hill PA, check that they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is in case you have to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's helpful to review questions you might be asked. One of the questions that hiring managers often ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What drove you to pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not just the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what qualities and talents you have that make you good at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of general interview questions, so you should ready a number of ideas about how you want to answer them. Because there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the profession appeals to you as well as the strengths you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomist and the ideal candidate for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but take down some concepts and topics that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample responses can help you to develop your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to wow the interviewer.

Find the Right Phlebotomy Course near Drexel Hill PA

Making certain that you pick the most suitable phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care field. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be offered in a variety of academic institutes, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide assortment of programs in medical care and health sciences. Training program options may differ somewhat across the country as each state has its own requirements when it comes to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must carefully research and compare each college prior to making your ultimate choice. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the best college for you. And with the proper education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Drexel Hill PA.

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