Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician Course near Kingston Pennsylvania

Choosing the right phlebotomy technician training near Kingston PA is an essential initial step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult task to assess and compare all of the school options that are available to you. However it’s vital that you perform your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a superior education. In fact, many students begin their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another option you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review more about online classes later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your decision process too. 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 select the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomy Technician Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their main responsibility, there is actually far more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the instruments being utilized are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork has to be accurately completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab testing procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some Kingston PA phlebotomists actually work in labs and are in charge of making certain that samples are analyzed correctly under the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they can be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The quickest response is wherever patients are treated. Their workplaces are many and diverse, including Kingston PA medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be charged to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a certain kind of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be drawing blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients every day.

Phlebotomy Education, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily two kinds of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Kingston PA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to complete and offers a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomist. 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 community and junior colleges, they typically require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program provide a more expansive background in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will probably want to be certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, many employers require certification prior to hiring technicians. Some of the primary certifying organizations 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 essential that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a premium education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Classes

To begin with, let’s dispel one possible misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial part of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Kingston PA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-clinical component of the training may be accessed online, it could be a more practical alternative for many students. As an added benefit, many online colleges are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some expenses, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy college you enroll in 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 quality education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online may be the ideal choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Since you now have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already picked 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 college is important as well as the tuition expense. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist college. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for selecting a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you should ask about each of the Kingston PA programs you are looking at prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Pennsylvania? As earlier discussed, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed before working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be working and readies you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you choose should be accredited by a respected regional or national 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 premium education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited programs in Kingston PA. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate the reputations of all colleges you are reviewing. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even talk to several Kingston PA local hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and find out if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Included? First, contact the Pennsylvania regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Kingston PA phlebotomy 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 below these minimums might indicate that the program is not expansive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask the Pennsylvania schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with local healthcare facilities. They are the ideal way to get hands-on practical training frequently not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Kingston PA health care community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Landing your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges 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 together with a large network of professional contacts within the Kingston PA healthcare community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s important to confirm that the final college you choose provides classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is particularly true if you choose to continue working while attending school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Kingston PA, make certain they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option as well. Even 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 Desire to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's helpful to review questions you may be asked. Among the questions that interviewers often ask Phlebotomy Technician prospects is "What made you decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not just the private reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but also what qualities and abilities you have that make you good at what you do. You will likely be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of routine interview questions, so you must ready some ideas about how you would like to respond to them. Because there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the abilities you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Technician and the perfiect candidate for the job. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but jot down a few ideas and anecdotes that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample answers can help you to develop your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.

Choose the Ideal Phlebotomy School near Kingston PA

Making sure that you pick the most suitable phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding healthcare field. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomy training programs are available in a wide range of educational institutions, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Course offerings can differ slightly across the country as every state has its own prerequisites when it concerns phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must thoroughly research and compare each program prior to 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 pick the best college for you. And with the proper education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Kingston PA.

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