Picking a Phlebotomy Technician Course near Hollsopple Pennsylvania

Enrolling in the right phlebotomy technician training near Hollsopple PA is an important first step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting task to assess and compare all of the training alternatives that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you obtain a superior education. In reality, many students begin their search by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional factor you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and should be part of your decision process also. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you select the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their primary function, there is in fact much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the tools being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork needs to be correctly completed to be able to track the sample from the point 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 tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Hollsopple PA phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are responsible for making sure that samples are tested correctly using the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they can be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The simplest answer is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are numerous and varied, such as Hollsopple PA hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a certain kind of patient. For instance, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be drawing blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Training, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily 2 types of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Hollsopple PA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to complete and provides a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they usually take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program provide a more expansive background in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. While not required in the majority of states, a number of employers require certification prior to employing 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 several states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, like Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a premium education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Colleges

To start with, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant component of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Hollsopple 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. However since the non-practical part of the training may be accessed online, it may be a more convenient option for some students. As an added benefit, many online programs are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some costs, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a premium education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online might be the best choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Since you now have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already picked the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Pennsylvania college is significant as well as the tuition expense. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy program. All of these decisions are a critical component of the process for selecting a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are a few questions that you should ask about each of the Hollsopple PA programs you are looking at before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be working and preps you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a respected regional or national 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 superior education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited schools in Hollsopple PA. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to investigate the reputations of all schools you are reviewing. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their students as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also contact several Hollsopple PA local hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and ask 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 Enough Training Included? 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 length of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Hollsopple PA phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums might signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internships Provided? Ask the Pennsylvania colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional health care facilities. They are the ideal means to get hands-on practical training often not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Hollsopple PA medical community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Landing your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the support 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 higher rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the Hollsopple PA health care community.

Are Class Times Available as Needed? And last, it’s important to make sure that the final college you choose provides classes at times that are compatible with your active schedule. This is especially true if you choose to still work while attending college. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Hollsopple PA, make certain they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option also. And if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is should you have to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomist?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's helpful to reflect on questions you may be asked. Among the questions that interviewers typically ask Phlebotomy Technician prospects is "What made you select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not only the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what attributes and talents you have that make you outstanding at your profession. You will likely be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of general interview questions, so you need to organize several approaches about how you want to answer them. Considering there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this primary question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the work appeals to you as well as the talents you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomist and the best candidate for the job. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but take down several concepts and talking points that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can assist you to develop your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the interviewer.

Choose the Right Phlebotomy College near Hollsopple PA

Making sure that you enroll in the right phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this rewarding healthcare career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomist training programs can be offered in a number of academic institutions, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Course offerings can vary a bit across the country as each state has its own requirements when it pertains to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to diligently evaluate and compare each college before making your final decision. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the ideal school for you. And with the appropriate education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Hollsopple PA.

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