Selecting a Phlebotomy Course near Greencastle Pennsylvania

Choosing the ideal phlebotomy school near Greencastle PA is an essential initial step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting undertaking to analyze and compare each of the training options that are accessible to you. However it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a superior education. In reality, a large number of potential students begin their search by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional factor you may look into is whether to attend online classes 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 locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and should be part of your selection process as well. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you pick the ideal 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.

Phlebotomy Technician Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their principal function, there is actually far more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the instruments being utilized are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork has to be correctly filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening procedure. 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. A number of Greencastle PA phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are responsible for ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly utilizing the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they may be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The simplest response is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are many and diverse, including Greencastle PA medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing blood from a particular type of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients every day.

Phlebotomist Training, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially 2 types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Greencastle PA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to finish and furnishes a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they usually require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program furnish a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. Although not required in most states, most employers look for certification before hiring 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 a few states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, like California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a superior education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Certificates and Degrees

To start with, let’s resolve one likely misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial component of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Greencastle 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 in order to graduate. But since the non-practical component of the training can be accessed online, it can be a more practical option for many students. As an added benefit, a number of online programs are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenses, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a superior education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online might be the right choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Now that you have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already selected 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 college is relevant in addition to the cost of tuition. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomist online college. All of these decisions are a critical part of the process for choosing a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you should ask about all of the Greencastle PA colleges you are considering before 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 require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be working and preps you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you select should be accredited by a recognized national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a superior education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are often not available for non-accredited schools in Greencastle PA. Last, graduating from an accredited college 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 check out the reputations of all schools you are looking at. 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 reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also talk to several Greencastle PA area clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and see if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Provided? First, contact 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 clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Greencastle PA phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internships Included? Ask the Pennsylvania colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with regional health care facilities. They are the ideal means to get hands-on clinical training frequently not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Greencastle PA healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Available? Landing your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Find out if the colleges you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Greencastle PA health care community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to make sure that the ultimate college you pick provides classes at times that will accommodate your active lifestyle. This is especially important if you opt to still work while attending college. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Greencastle PA, check that they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option also. 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 procedure is should you need to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's helpful to review questions you might be asked. Among the things that hiring managers frequently ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What made you decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not merely the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what attributes and skills you possess that make you good at your profession. You will probably be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of routine interview questions, so you should prepare a number of ideas about how you would like to answer them. Because there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you as well as the talents you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the ideal candidate for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but jot down some ideas and talking points that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Reading through sample responses can assist you to formulate your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to impress the recruiter.

Enroll in the Ideal Phlebotomist Program near Greencastle PA

Making sure that you select the ideal phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior school. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be available in a variety of academic institutes, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide range of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Course options can differ a bit from state to state as each state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must thoroughly screen and compare each school prior to making your ultimate choice. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the ideal college for you. And with the appropriate training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Greencastle PA.

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