Picking a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Hershey Pennsylvania

Enrolling in the right phlebotomy training near Hershey PA is a critical first step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging task to analyze and compare all of the school options that are available to you. However it’s vital that you do your due diligence to make certain that you obtain a quality education. In fact, a large number of potential students begin the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional factor you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll discuss more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and should be part of your selection process as well. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you choose 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 training.

Phlebotomy Technician Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their main duty, there is actually much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork needs to be accurately completed to be able 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 tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some Hershey PA phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are accountable for ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly using the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they can be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The easiest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their workplaces are numerous and varied, including Hershey PA hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a particular kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients each day.

Phlebotomist Education, Licensing and Certification

There are basically 2 kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Hershey PA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to finish and offers a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they usually take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program offer a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will probably want to become certified. Although not required in the majority of states, a number of employers require certification before hiring technicians. A few of the primary certifying agencies include:

• National Phlebotomy Association
• National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
• American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
• American Medical Technologists (AMT)

There are some states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, including Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a quality education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Certificates and Degrees

To start with, let’s dispel one potential mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant part of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Hershey 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 prior to graduation. But since the non-practical portion of the training may be attended online, it may be a more practical alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, many online colleges are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some expenses, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online may be the right option for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Since you now have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already picked the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Pennsylvania school is significant as well as the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomist online program. All of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for selecting a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are some questions that you should ask about each of the Hershey PA colleges you are considering prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you select should be accredited by a recognized national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a quality education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited programs in Hershey PA. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of all schools you are reviewing. You can start 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 solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even talk to a few Hershey PA local clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and find out if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Provided? First, 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 clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Hershey PA phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should provide 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 comprehensive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask the Pennsylvania colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional health care facilities. They are the ideal way to get hands-on practical training often not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local Hershey PA health care community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Available? Getting your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Hershey PA medical community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to confirm that the ultimate school you choose offers classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is especially true if you decide to continue working while going to school. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Hershey PA, make certain they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option as well. And if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled 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 Desire to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's important to consider questions you could be asked. One of the questions that hiring managers often ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What compelled you to pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not only the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what qualities and skills you have that make you outstanding at your profession. You will probably be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of general interview questions, so you must organize a number of strategies about how you want to address them. Considering there are several factors that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work appeals to you in addition to the talents you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the ideal candidate for the position. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but write down several concepts and talking points that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can help you to formulate your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.

Enroll in the Right Phlebotomy Course near Hershey PA

Making sure that you choose the most suitable phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be found in a wide range of academic institutes, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide range of programs in medical care and health sciences. Training program options can vary a bit from state to state as every state has its own prerequisites when it comes to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to diligently research and compare each college before making your final choice. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the ideal college for you. And with the appropriate education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Hershey PA.

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