Choosing a Phlebotomist School near Kittanning Pennsylvania

Choosing the right phlebotomist school near Kittanning PA is an essential first step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting task to assess and compare all of the training options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to ensure that you get a superior education. In fact, most students start the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional factor you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and must be part of your selection process also. To assist in that effort, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you pick the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomy Tech Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their principal duty, there is in fact far more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork has to be properly completed to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab testing procedure. The phlebotomist then transports 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. Many Kittanning PA phlebotomists actually work in labs and are in charge of making sure that samples are analyzed properly utilizing the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they might be required to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The simplest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are many and varied, including Kittanning PA hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a particular kind of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility 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 solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients every day.

Phlebotomist Training, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially two kinds of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Kittanning PA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually 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 phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they usually take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program offer a more extensive background in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. Although not required in the majority of states, a number of employers require certification prior to employing technicians. A few of the principal 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 prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, like Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a premium education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Schools

To begin with, let’s resolve one possible mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant part of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Kittanning 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 prior to graduation. However since the non-clinical part of the training can be attended online, it can be a more practical alternative for some students. As an added benefit, some online colleges are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some expenses, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomy college you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a superior education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the best option for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Since you now have a basic understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Pennsylvania campus is important in addition to the tuition expense. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online program. All of these decisions are a critical part of the process for picking a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Following are several questions that you need to ask about each of the Kittanning PA colleges you are reviewing before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for all exams you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you select should be accredited by a highly regarded 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 school in addition to an assurance of a premium education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited colleges in Kittanning PA. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to check the reputations of all schools you are considering. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job assistance program. You can screen internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also contact several Kittanning PA local clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and ask if they can offer any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Provided? To begin with, 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 Kittanning PA phlebotomist program that you are looking at should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums might signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internships Provided? Find out from the Pennsylvania colleges 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 often not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Kittanning PA medical community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Getting your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Kittanning PA health care community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? And last, it’s important to make sure that the ultimate school you select provides classes at times that are compatible with your active schedule. This is particularly important if you choose to still work while going to school. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Kittanning PA, make certain they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up procedure is in case you need to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomist?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's advantageous to review questions you might be asked. Among the things that recruiters often ask Phlebotomy Technician prospects is "What made you pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not just the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what attributes and talents you have that make you good at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of standard interview questions, so you should prepare a number of approaches about how you want to address them. Because there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the work appeals to you along with the strengths you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Tech and the perfiect candidate for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but write down some ideas and topics that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can assist you to develop your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Choose the Right Phlebotomist Program near Kittanning PA

Making sure that you enroll in the ideal phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying health care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be available in a wide range of academic institutes, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive array of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Course options may vary slightly from state to state as each state has its own prerequisites when it comes to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to diligently research and compare each school before making your ultimate selection. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the right school for you. And with the appropriate training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Kittanning PA.

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