Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician School near Greenville Pennsylvania

Picking the right phlebotomy training near Greenville PA is an essential first step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting undertaking to assess and compare all of the school alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a superior education. In fact, most prospective students start their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Another option you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss more about online schools later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and need to be part of your selection process also. To assist in that effort, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you select the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomy Technician Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their primary task, there is in fact much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the instruments being utilized are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork has to be accurately filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Greenville PA phlebotomists actually work in labs and are in charge of making certain that samples are tested correctly utilizing the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they might be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The quickest answer is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are many and varied, including Greenville PA hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing blood from a specific type of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility 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 solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients every day.

Phlebotomist Training, Licensing and Certification

There are basically two types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Greenville PA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to finish and provides a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they typically take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program offer a more extensive background in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. While not mandated in most states, a number of employers look for certification prior to employing technicians. A few of the main 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 require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, such as Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only furnishes a superior education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Colleges

To start with, let’s resolve one potential mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant part of the course of study will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Greenville PA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-practical component of the training may be attended online, it can be a more convenient option for many students. As an added benefit, a number of online colleges are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some expenditures, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist program 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 premium education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the right option for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Now that you have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already selected the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Pennsylvania college is important in addition to the tuition expense. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online program. All of these decisions are an important component of the process for picking a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are several questions that you need to ask about all of the Greenville PA colleges you are looking at prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for any examinations you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you pick should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited program aside from an assurance of a superior education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited programs in Greenville PA. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate the reputations of all schools you are reviewing. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even contact some Greenville PA local clinics or hospitals that you might 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 filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? 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 classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Greenville PA phlebotomy program that you are considering should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internships Included? Ask the Pennsylvania programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with regional healthcare facilities. They are the ideal way to obtain hands-on practical training often not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Greenville PA medical community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Finding your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the programs you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Greenville PA healthcare community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s important to make sure that the ultimate school you pick provides classes at times that are compatible with your active schedule. This is especially important if you decide to continue working while going to school. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near Greenville PA, make sure they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option also. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make certain 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 illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's a good idea to review questions you may be asked. One of the questions that hiring managers typically ask Phlebotomist prospects is "What drove you to pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not merely the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what qualities and abilities you have that make you good at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of typical interview questions, so you should prepare a number of approaches about how you would like to answer them. Since there are numerous factors that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you as well as the strengths you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Technician and the ideal choice for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but take down several concepts and topics that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Going over sample answers can assist you to formulate your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to impress the recruiter.

Find the Ideal Phlebotomist College near Greenville PA

Making certain that you pick the right phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this fulfilling healthcare field. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are found in a number of educational institutes, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide array of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program options can vary a bit across the country as each state has its own prerequisites when it comes to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must thoroughly research and compare each school before making your ultimate choice. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the best program for you. And with the appropriate training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Greenville PA.

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