Choosing a Phlebotomy Training Program near James City Pennsylvania

Choosing the ideal phlebotomy technician training near James City PA is an important initial step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult task to assess and compare each of the training options that are accessible to you. However it’s vital that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you obtain a superior education. In reality, many students begin the process by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional option 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 variables including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and must be part of your selection process too. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you choose the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomy Technician Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their primary responsibility, there is actually much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the instruments being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork must be accurately completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some James City PA phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are in charge of making sure that samples are tested properly under the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they may be required to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The simplest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are many and diverse, including James City PA hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be charged to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a particular type of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients each day.

Phlebotomist Education, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily two types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in James City PA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to complete and furnishes a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers 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 include training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they usually require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program furnish a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not required in most states, a number of employers require certification prior to hiring technicians. Some 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 several states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, such as California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a premium education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Certificates and Degrees

First, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A good part of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved James City 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 portion of the training may be attended online, it may be a more convenient alternative for many students. As an added benefit, many online classes are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a quality education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the ideal option for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Now that you have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already picked the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Pennsylvania campus is important in addition to the tuition expense. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist program. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the process for picking a program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are several questions that you should ask about each of the James City PA programs you are reviewing before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you pick should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a quality education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited colleges in James City PA. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to check the reputations of any colleges you are looking at. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also contact some James City PA local hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and find out if they can provide any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Ample Training Provided? To begin with, contact the Pennsylvania regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any James City PA phlebotomist program that you are looking at should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internships Provided? Find out from the Pennsylvania schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional health care facilities. They are the optimal means to receive hands-on practical training typically not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local James City PA healthcare community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Getting your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the James City PA health care community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s critical to make sure that the final program you pick provides classes at times that are compatible with your hectic schedule. This is especially true if you choose to continue working while attending school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near James City PA, check that they are available 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 practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is in case you have to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you could be asked. Among the things that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomist applicants is "What made you choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not just the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what attributes and skills you have that make you good at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of routine interview questions, so you must ready several strategies about how you would like to respond to them. Because there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this primary question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work appeals to you along with the talents you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Technician and the ideal candidate for the position. Don't try to memorize an answer, but take down some concepts and talking points that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.

Find the Right Phlebotomist Program near James City PA

Making certain that you choose the ideal phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomy training programs are found in a wide range of academic institutions, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive range of courses in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings can vary slightly from state to state as every state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to thoroughly screen and compare each school prior to making your final selection. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the best school for you. And with the appropriate training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in James City PA.

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