Choosing a Phlebotomist School near Gettysburg Pennsylvania

Picking the right phlebotomist training near Gettysburg PA is an essential first step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting task to analyze and compare each of the school alternatives that are available to you. However it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you receive a superior education. In fact, many prospective students begin the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another factor you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll review a bit 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 finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and should be part of your decision process also. 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 prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomy Tech Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their main task, there is in fact much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the instruments being employed are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork needs to be properly filled out to be able to track the sample from the point 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 may be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Gettysburg PA phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are in charge of making sure that samples are analyzed correctly utilizing the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they can be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The easiest answer is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are many and varied, including Gettysburg PA hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a particular type of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Training, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily two kinds of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Gettysburg PA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to finish and offers a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they usually require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program provide a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. Although not required in most states, most employers require certification prior to employing technicians. Some of the key certifying agencies include:

• National Phlebotomy Association
• National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
• American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
• American Medical Technologists (AMT)

There are several states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, like Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a quality education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Certificates and Degrees

To begin with, let’s dispel one likely misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A good part of the course of study will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Gettysburg 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 component of the training may be accessed online, it can be a more convenient option for some students. As an added benefit, many online classes are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some expenditures, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online may be the best choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Since you now have a basic understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already selected the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Pennsylvania college is important as well as the cost of tuition. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online college. Each of these decisions are an important component of the process for picking 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 each of the Gettysburg PA schools you are considering prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be working and preps you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you select should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a quality education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited schools in Gettysburg PA. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In numerous 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 all schools you are looking at. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even talk to several Gettysburg PA local clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and find out if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Sufficient 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 amount of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Gettysburg PA phlebotomist program that you are looking at should furnish no less than 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 furnish adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask the Pennsylvania schools you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional healthcare facilities. They are the optimal means to obtain hands-on clinical training often not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Gettysburg PA medical community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Landing your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation together with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Gettysburg PA health care community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s crucial to verify that the final college you pick provides classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is especially important if you decide to still work while attending college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Gettysburg PA, make certain they are offered 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 clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is should you have to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's a good idea to consider questions you might be asked. Among the questions that hiring managers typically ask Phlebotomist applicants is "What drove you to choose Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not only the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what qualities and talents you have that make you exceptional at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of general interview questions, so you must ready a number of approaches about how you would like to answer them. Because there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession interests you in addition to the talents you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Technician and the leading candidate for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but write down a few concepts and anecdotes that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample answers can assist you to develop your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.

Select the Ideal Phlebotomy Program near Gettysburg PA

Making certain that you enroll in the ideal phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this rewarding medical care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomy training programs can be offered in a wide range of academic institutes, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive range of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Course offerings may differ slightly across the country as each state has its own mandates when it concerns phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to thoroughly evaluate and compare each program before making your ultimate selection. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the best program for you. And with the proper training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Gettysburg PA.

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