Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician Course near Kresgeville Pennsylvania

Enrolling in the right phlebotomist training near Kresgeville PA is a critical first step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult task to analyze and compare each of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. However it’s important that you do your due diligence to make sure that you get a quality education. In reality, many students start their search by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Another option you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll discuss more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and must be part of your selection process as well. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you pick the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their principal function, there is actually much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the tools being employed are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork needs to be correctly filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening process. 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 Kresgeville PA phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are in charge of making sure that samples are tested properly utilizing the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they can be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The quickest response is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are numerous and diverse, including Kresgeville PA medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing blood from a certain type of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be collecting blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Education, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially two types of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Kresgeville PA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to complete and furnishes a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they typically take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program offer a more extensive background in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will probably want to become certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, most employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. Some 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 some states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, like California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a quality education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Schools

To start with, let’s dispel one possible mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant part of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Kresgeville PA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-practical portion of the training may be attended online, it might be a more practical alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, some online schools are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some expenditures, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomist college you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a premium education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the right option for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Since you now have a basic understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already decided on the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Pennsylvania college is relevant as well as the tuition expense. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online college. All of these decisions are a critical component of the process for choosing a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Following are a few questions that you need to ask about all of the Kresgeville PA colleges you are looking at prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you select should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a premium education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Kresgeville PA. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of all colleges you are considering. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even contact some Kresgeville PA local hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and ask if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Adequate Training Included? First, check with the Pennsylvania regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Kresgeville PA phlebotomist program that you are looking at should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Ask the Pennsylvania colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional medical facilities. They are the optimal way to obtain hands-on clinical training typically not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Kresgeville PA healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Landing your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the Kresgeville PA healthcare community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s important to make sure that the ultimate program you choose offers classes at times that will accommodate your busy lifestyle. This is particularly true if you decide to still work while attending college. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Kresgeville 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 as well. And if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed 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 Desire to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's advantageous to review questions you could be asked. One of the things that hiring managers frequently ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What drove you to pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not only the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what characteristics and talents you have that make you outstanding at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of routine interview questions, so you must organize some strategies about how you would like to respond to them. Considering there are several factors that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the profession appeals to you in addition to the abilities you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Technician and the leading choice for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but jot down a few ideas and topics that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Going over sample answers can assist you to develop your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the interviewer.

Select the Ideal Phlebotomist Program near Kresgeville PA

Making certain that you select the right phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding health care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are offered in a variety of academic institutes, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive array of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Course offerings can vary somewhat across the country as each state has its own prerequisites when it comes to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to carefully research and compare each school before making your ultimate selection. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the ideal school for you. And with the appropriate training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Kresgeville PA.

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