Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Harrison Valley Pennsylvania

Picking the ideal phlebotomy technician training near Harrison Valley PA is an important initial step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging undertaking to assess and compare each of the training alternatives that are accessible to you. However it’s important that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you get a superior education. In fact, a large number of prospective students begin the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another option you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review a bit more about online schools later in this article. What’s important 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 such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your decision process too. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you pick the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomy Tech Work Summary

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. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the tools being used are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork has to be correctly 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 in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Harrison Valley PA phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are accountable for making certain that samples are tested properly under the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they may be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The easiest response is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are many and varied, including Harrison Valley PA hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a specific type of patient. For instance, 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 drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily 2 kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Harrison Valley PA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to complete and offers a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they typically require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program provide a more extensive background in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. Although not mandated in most states, many employers look for 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 a few states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, such as Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a quality education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Training

To begin with, let’s resolve one potential misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant portion of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Harrison Valley PA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-clinical component of the training may be attended online, it may be a more convenient option for many students. As an additional benefit, many online classes are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some expenses, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy program you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the right choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Now that you have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming 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 previously mentioned, the location of the Pennsylvania campus is significant as well as the cost of tuition. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online program. Each of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for choosing a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Following are a few questions that you need to ask about all of the Harrison Valley PA programs you are looking at before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Pennsylvania? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be working and readies you for all exams you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you enroll in 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 program in addition to an assurance of a quality education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools in Harrison Valley PA. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate the reputations of any colleges you are reviewing. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also contact several Harrison Valley PA area clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and see if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Included? To begin with, 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 classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Harrison Valley PA phlebotomy program that you are looking at should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask the Pennsylvania colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with local medical facilities. They are the ideal way to receive hands-on practical training frequently not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local Harrison Valley PA medical community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Finding your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, meaning 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 Harrison Valley PA healthcare community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? Finally, it’s crucial to confirm that the final school you pick provides classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is particularly true if you choose to continue working while attending college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Harrison Valley PA, check that they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option as well. And 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 policy is should you have to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you may be asked. Among the things that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomist applicants is "What compelled you to choose Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not just the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomist, but additionally what attributes and skills you have that make you outstanding at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of general interview questions, so you need to ready several approaches about how you would like to respond to them. Since there are several factors that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession interests you as well as the talents you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Technician and the ideal candidate for the job. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but take down a few concepts and anecdotes that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample answers can help you to develop your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.

Select the Right Phlebotomy Course near Harrison Valley PA

Making certain that you choose the right phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomist training programs are found in a number of educational institutions, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive range of courses in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings may differ a bit across the country as each state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to thoroughly screen and compare each program before making your final selection. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the right school for you. And with the appropriate education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Harrison Valley PA.

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