Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician Course near Kutztown Pennsylvania

Enrolling in the right phlebotomy school near Kutztown PA is a critical first step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting task to evaluate and compare all of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. However it’s important that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a quality education. In reality, many prospective students begin the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional factor you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll review a bit more about online classes later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also important 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 reviewing to help you pick the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their main task, there is in fact far more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the instruments being utilized are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork needs to be accurately filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many Kutztown PA phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are in charge of making certain that samples are analyzed properly using the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they might be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The easiest answer is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are many and varied, such as Kutztown PA hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a particular type of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be collecting blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Education, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily two kinds of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Kutztown PA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to complete and offers a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they usually take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program furnish a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will probably want to become certified. Although not mandated in most states, most employers require certification before employing technicians. A few 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 several states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, such as Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a quality education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Certificates and Degrees

First, let’s dispel one likely misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant part of the course of study will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Kutztown PA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-practical part of the training may be attended online, it can be a more practical option for many students. As an added benefit, a number of online schools are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some expenses, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online may be the ideal option for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Since you now have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already selected the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Pennsylvania school is significant in addition to the tuition expense. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy program. All of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for selecting a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are a few questions that you need to ask about each of the Kutztown PA schools you are looking at prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Pennsylvania? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomist program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be working and preps you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you select should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited program aside from an assurance of a quality education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are typically not available for non-accredited programs in Kutztown PA. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of all colleges you are considering. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also contact some Kutztown PA area clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and find out if they can offer any insights. 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 Ample Training Provided? To begin with, contact 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 clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Kutztown PA phlebotomy program that you are looking at should furnish at least 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 provide adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out from the Pennsylvania programs you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional health care facilities. They are the optimal way to receive hands-on clinical training often not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Kutztown PA healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Available? Finding your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Kutztown PA healthcare community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? And last, it’s important to make sure that the ultimate college you choose offers classes at times that are compatible with your hectic schedule. This is especially important if you choose to still work while attending college. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Kutztown PA, check that they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option as well. And if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is should you need to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomist?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's advantageous to consider questions you may be asked. One of the things that recruiters often ask Phlebotomist applicants is "What compelled you to select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not only the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what attributes and abilities you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will likely be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of routine interview questions, so you should organize a number of strategies about how you want to answer them. Since there are so many variables that go into selecting a career, you can answer this primary question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the profession appeals to you as well as the talents you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomist and the leading candidate for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but write down some ideas and anecdotes that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Going over sample answers can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.

Choose the Ideal Phlebotomist School near Kutztown PA

Making sure that you select the ideal phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding health care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomist training programs can be available in a number of academic institutions, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive assortment of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program options may vary somewhat 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 need to carefully screen and compare each program prior to making your ultimate selection. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the right college for you. And with the appropriate training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Kutztown PA.

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