Picking a Phlebotomist School near Houtzdale Pennsylvania

Selecting the right phlebotomy technician training near Houtzdale PA is a critical initial step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult undertaking to evaluate and compare each of the school options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you get a quality education. In fact, most students start their search by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Another factor you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your selection process also. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you choose the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their primary duty, there is in fact far more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the instruments being used are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be properly completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab testing procedure. 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 infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Houtzdale PA phlebotomists actually work in labs and are responsible for making certain that samples are tested correctly under the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they can be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The quickest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their workplaces are numerous and diverse, including Houtzdale PA medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be charged to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a specific kind of patient. For instance, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients each day.

Phlebotomist Education, Licensing and Certification

There are basically 2 types of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Houtzdale PA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to finish and offers a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they usually require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program offer a more extensive background in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will probably want to be certified. While not required in most states, most 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 call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, like Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a superior education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Schools

First, let’s dispel one potential mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A good portion of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Houtzdale PA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-clinical portion of the training can be attended online, it can be a more practical option for some students. As an additional benefit, many online classes are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenditures, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomist college you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the ideal option for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Since you now have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the kind of program you want 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 opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online school. Each of these decisions are an important part of the process for selecting a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you should ask about all of the Houtzdale PA programs you are considering prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you pick should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a premium education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are often unavailable for non-accredited programs in Houtzdale PA. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to check out the reputations of any colleges you are looking at. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can research online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also check with some Houtzdale PA local clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and see if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Adequate Training Provided? First, check with 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. At a minimum, any Houtzdale PA phlebotomist program that you are considering should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask the Pennsylvania programs you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with local healthcare facilities. They are the optimal way to obtain hands-on practical training typically not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Houtzdale PA medical community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Getting your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the programs you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Houtzdale PA healthcare community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s important to make sure that the ultimate college you choose provides classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is particularly important if you decide to still work while attending college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Houtzdale PA, check that they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option also. Even if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is in case you have to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomist?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's important to reflect on questions you might be asked. One of the questions that hiring managers typically ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What drove you to choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not just the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what attributes and skills you have that make you outstanding at what you do. You will probably be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of typical interview questions, so you must ready a number of approaches about how you would like to respond to them. Since there are numerous factors that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the abilities you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Technician and the ideal candidate for the job. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but jot down several concepts and anecdotes that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample answers can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.

Enroll in the Best Phlebotomy School near Houtzdale PA

Making certain that you choose the right phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding medical care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be available in a variety of academic institutions, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive assortment of courses in medical care and health sciences. Course offerings can differ slightly from state to state as each state has its own mandates when it concerns phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must diligently evaluate and compare each program prior to making your final selection. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the best college for you. And with the proper training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Houtzdale PA.

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