Picking a Phlebotomist Training Program near Glenshaw Pennsylvania

Picking the ideal phlebotomist school near Glenshaw PA is a critical first step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult task to investigate and compare all of the training alternatives that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you complete your due diligence to make certain that you get a superior education. In fact, most students begin the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another option you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll talk more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and must be part of your selection process as well. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you should 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 continue our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomist Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their main task, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the instruments being employed are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork has to be properly completed in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing process. 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. Some Glenshaw PA phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are accountable for ensuring that samples are tested correctly using the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they may be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The easiest response is wherever they treat patients. Their workplaces are numerous and varied, such as Glenshaw PA hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a specific kind of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from new patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Certification and Licensing

There are basically 2 kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Glenshaw PA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to finish and offers a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they usually require 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program furnish a more expansive background in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. Although not required in most states, most employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. A few 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 a few states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, like Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a superior education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Colleges

To begin with, let’s dispel one possible misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A good component of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Glenshaw 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. However since the non-clinical portion of the training may be accessed online, it could be a more practical alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, some online classes are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some expenses, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced also. Just verify that the online phlebotomist school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a superior education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Since you now have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already decided on the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Pennsylvania campus is relevant in addition to the tuition expense. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online school. All of these decisions are a critical part of the process for picking a program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are some questions that you need to ask about all of the Glenshaw PA colleges you are looking at prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Pennsylvania? As mentioned previously, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomy program that satisfies 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 phlebotomist program and school you select should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a superior education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited schools in Glenshaw 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 School’s Reputation? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate the reputations of all schools 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 research internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also check with several Glenshaw PA area hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and ask if they can offer any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Provided? To begin with, check with 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 classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Glenshaw PA phlebotomist program that you are considering should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internships Provided? Find out from the Pennsylvania schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with area healthcare facilities. They are the optimal way to obtain hands-on practical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Glenshaw PA medical community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Landing your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation together with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Glenshaw PA healthcare community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s important to make sure that the final program you choose provides classes at times that are compatible with your hectic lifestyle. This is particularly true if you choose to still work while going to college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Glenshaw PA, make sure they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option also. And if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is should you have to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's important to consider questions you may be asked. Among the questions that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What made you pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not merely the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what attributes and talents you have that make you exceptional at your profession. You will probably be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of standard interview questions, so you need to organize several ideas about how you want to respond to them. Since there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you in addition to the strengths you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the leading candidate for the job. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but take down several concepts and anecdotes that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample responses can help you to develop your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.

Enroll in the Right Phlebotomy Course near Glenshaw PA

Making sure that you select the most suitable phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying health care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomist training programs can be found in a number of academic institutes, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings can vary somewhat across the country as every state has its own mandates when it concerns phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must diligently research and compare each college prior to making your final decision. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the ideal college for you. And with the proper training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Glenshaw PA.

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