Selecting a Phlebotomy School near Galeton Pennsylvania

Enrolling in the right phlebotomist training near Galeton PA is a critical first step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult task to assess and compare each of the training alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a superior education. In reality, a large number of students start the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional factor you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll discuss more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and need to be part of your decision process as well. 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 choose the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their main duty, there is in fact far more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the tools being employed are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork needs to be correctly completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory 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 Galeton PA phlebotomists actually work in labs and are in charge of making sure that samples are analyzed correctly using the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they may be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The simplest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are many and diverse, such as Galeton PA hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be charged to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a particular kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be drawing blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially 2 kinds of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Galeton PA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to complete and provides a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they usually take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program furnish a more extensive background in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. While not required in most states, many 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 several states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, like California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a premium education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Classes

To begin with, let’s resolve one likely mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A good portion of the course of study will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Galeton 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 prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical component of the training may be attended online, it may be a more convenient option for many students. As an added benefit, a number of online schools are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenditures, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy college you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive 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 attaining your degree or certificate online may be the best choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Now that you have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already selected the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Pennsylvania school is significant in addition to the cost of tuition. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomy online program. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the process for selecting a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you should ask about all of the Galeton PA programs you are looking at before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be working and readies you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you enroll in should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a premium 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. Next, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited schools in Galeton PA. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of all colleges you are reviewing. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can research online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even talk to a few Galeton 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 find out if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Provided? First, check with the Pennsylvania regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Galeton PA phlebotomist program that you are considering should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums might indicate that the program is not expansive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internships Provided? Find out from the Pennsylvania programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with area medical facilities. They are the optimal means to obtain hands-on clinical training typically not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Galeton PA healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Getting your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Galeton PA health care community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s critical to make sure that the final college you choose offers classes at times that are compatible with your hectic lifestyle. This is especially important if you opt to still work while attending college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Galeton PA, check that they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, make sure 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 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 Decide to Become a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's helpful to review questions you could be asked. Among the things that hiring managers often ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What compelled you to decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not just the private reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what characteristics and skills you possess that make you good at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of general interview questions, so you should prepare several ideas about how you want to address them. Considering there are numerous factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this primary question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the talents you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the perfiect choice for the position. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but jot down several concepts and anecdotes that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to impress the recruiter.

Find the Right Phlebotomist College near Galeton PA

Making sure that you pick the ideal phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomist training programs are found in a variety of educational institutes, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide array of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program offerings may differ slightly from state to state as every state has its own requirements when it concerns phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to carefully evaluate and compare each college before making your ultimate choice. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the right college for you. And with the appropriate training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Galeton PA.

Learn About Galeton Pennsylvania

 

 

More Interesting Pennsylvania Cities

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Uwchland PA 19480

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Gap PA 17527

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Spring Grove PA 17362

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Saxonburg PA 16056

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Fairless Hills PA 19030

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Coudersport PA 16915

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Cressona PA 17929

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Stahlstown PA 15687

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Grand Valley PA 16420

Phlebotomy Training Schools near West Newton PA 15089