Selecting a Phlebotomist Course near Dublin Pennsylvania

Selecting the ideal phlebotomy technician training near Dublin PA is an important first step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging undertaking to assess and compare all of the training options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you receive a quality education. In reality, a large number of prospective students begin the process by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Another factor you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and need to be part of your decision process too. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you choose the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomy Technician Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their principal duty, there is actually so much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the tools being employed are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork needs to be correctly filled out to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab testing process. 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. Some Dublin PA phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are responsible for making certain that samples are tested properly under the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they can be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The most basic response is wherever there are patients. Their work places are many and diverse, such as Dublin PA medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a certain type of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily 2 types of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Dublin PA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to finish and offers a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they typically require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program provide a more extensive background in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not mandated in most states, many employers look for certification before hiring technicians. Some of the principal certifying agencies 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 require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, including California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a premium education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Certificates and Degrees

First, let’s resolve one likely misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant component of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Dublin 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. However since the non-clinical component of the training may be attended online, it might be a more practical alternative for many students. As an added benefit, many online programs are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some costs, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomy college you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a premium education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online may be the ideal choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Since you now have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already decided on the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Pennsylvania college is significant as well as the tuition expense. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist program. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for selecting a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you need to ask about all of the Dublin PA schools you are looking at before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As previously mentioned, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. 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 working and preps you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a recognized national or regional accrediting agency, 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 administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Dublin PA. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of all colleges you are reviewing. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also talk to a few Dublin PA local hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and find out if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Adequate 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 amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Dublin PA phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums might signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Ask the Pennsylvania programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with area medical facilities. They are the optimal means to receive hands-on clinical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Dublin PA healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Landing your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement rate 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 a good reputation together with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Dublin PA healthcare community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s critical to make sure that the ultimate college you pick provides classes at times that will accommodate your hectic lifestyle. This is especially true if you decide to continue working while attending college. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Dublin PA, make sure they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option as well. And if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is in case you need to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomist?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's helpful to consider questions you may be asked. Among the questions that hiring managers often ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What made you decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not merely the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what characteristics and talents you have that make you good at your profession. You will likely be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of standard interview questions, so you need to organize several ideas about how you would like to address them. Since there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the work appeals to you along with the talents you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomist and the leading candidate for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but take down a few ideas and topics that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to wow the interviewer.

Find the Best Phlebotomy School near Dublin PA

Making sure that you select the ideal phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomy training programs can be available in a variety of academic institutions, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive assortment of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program offerings may differ slightly across the country as each state has its own requirements when it concerns phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to carefully evaluate and compare each program before making your final choice. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the best college for you. And with the proper training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Dublin PA.

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