Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Grove City Pennsylvania

Picking the right phlebotomy technician school near Grove City PA is an important first step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting undertaking to analyze and compare all of the school alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you do your due diligence to make sure that you get a superior education. In fact, most students start their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional option you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and need to be part of your selection process also. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you need to 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 afterwards continue our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomy Technician Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their principal duty, there is actually far more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the tools being employed are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork has to be correctly filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory screening 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 infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Grove City PA phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are responsible for making sure that samples are tested correctly using the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they can be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The most basic answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are numerous and diverse, including Grove City PA medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be charged to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a specific kind of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be collecting blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients every day.

Phlebotomy Training, Licensing and Certification

There are basically 2 types of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Grove City PA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to finish and offers a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they typically require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program furnish a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will probably want to get certified. Although not mandated in most states, many employers look for certification prior to employing 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 require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, including California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a superior education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Certificates and Degrees

First, let’s dispel one possible misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A good component of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Grove City 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. However since the non-practical part of the training may be accessed online, it might be a more convenient option for some students. As an added benefit, some online colleges are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist program you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). 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 best choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Since you now have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already chosen 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 important in addition to the tuition expense. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist school. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the process for selecting a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Following are some questions that you need to ask about each of the Grove City PA colleges you are reviewing prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be working and prepares you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you select should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from a guarantee of a quality education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Grove City PA. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In many 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 essential to check the reputations of any schools you are considering. 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 screen internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even check with several Grove City PA area clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and see if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? To begin with, check with the Pennsylvania regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Grove City PA phlebotomist program that you are considering should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Ask the Pennsylvania colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with local medical facilities. They are the ideal way to obtain hands-on practical training often not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Grove City PA medical community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Finding your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are reviewing 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 positions, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Grove City PA medical community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? Finally, it’s crucial to make sure that the final school you choose offers classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is especially important if you choose to still work while attending college. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Grove City PA, make certain they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option also. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up procedure is should you need to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's advantageous to review questions you may be asked. Among the questions that interviewers typically ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What made you decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not merely the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what characteristics and talents you possess that make you good at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of routine interview questions, so you need to organize a number of ideas about how you would like to answer them. Considering there are numerous factors that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession interests you along with the abilities you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the leading choice for the position. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but write down a few ideas and anecdotes that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Going over sample responses can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to impress the recruiter.

Enroll in the Right Phlebotomy College near Grove City PA

Making sure that you select the right phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomy training programs can be available in a variety of educational institutes, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide range of courses in medical care and health sciences. Training program offerings may differ a bit from state to state as each state has its own prerequisites when it concerns phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must diligently research and compare each program prior to making your final selection. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the ideal college for you. And with the appropriate education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Grove City PA.

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