Picking a Phlebotomy Course near Lemont Pennsylvania

Selecting the right phlebotomist school near Lemont PA is an essential first step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting undertaking to evaluate and compare each of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. However it’s vital that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a superior education. In reality, many potential students begin their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Another option you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and should be part of your selection process also. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you choose the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomy Technician Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their principal responsibility, there is in fact far more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork needs to be accurately completed to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab testing 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 pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Lemont PA phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are accountable for making sure that samples are tested correctly utilizing the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they can be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The simplest response is wherever they treat patients. Their workplaces are many and diverse, such as Lemont PA hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be charged to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a certain kind of patient. For instance, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially two kinds of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Lemont PA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to complete and offers a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they usually take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program offer a more expansive background in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. While not required in most states, most employers require certification prior to hiring 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, like Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a superior education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Classes

First, let’s dispel one likely misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A good portion of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Lemont 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-practical component of the training can be attended online, it might be a more practical option for some students. As an added benefit, a number of online classes are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some costs, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy college you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the ideal option for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Now that you have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already selected the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Pennsylvania campus is relevant in addition to the cost of tuition. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist college. Each of these decisions are an important part of the process for picking a program or school. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are several questions that you should ask about each of the Lemont PA schools you are reviewing before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Pennsylvania? As mentioned previously, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be working and prepares you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you pick should be accredited by a reputable national or regional 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 superior education. To begin with, 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. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited schools in Lemont PA. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s important to check the reputations of any colleges you are reviewing. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even talk to some Lemont PA local hospitals or clinics that you may be interested 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 find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Adequate Training Provided? To begin with, contact the Pennsylvania regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Lemont PA phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Ask the Pennsylvania programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with area health care facilities. They are the ideal means to get hands-on practical training often not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Lemont PA medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Landing your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Lemont PA medical community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s crucial to confirm that the ultimate school you select provides classes at times that will accommodate your active lifestyle. This is particularly true if you decide to still work while going to school. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Lemont PA, make certain they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option also. And if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is in case you need to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you might be asked. One of the questions that recruiters often ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What made you decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not only the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what attributes and talents you have that make you exceptional at your profession. You will probably be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of standard interview questions, so you need to organize some strategies 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 variety of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession interests you as well as the strengths you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the leading choice for the job. Don't try to memorize an answer, but jot down some ideas and anecdotes that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Going over sample responses can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Enroll in the Right Phlebotomy Program near Lemont PA

Making sure that you choose the ideal phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding health care field. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomist training programs can be found in a wide range of educational institutes, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive assortment of courses in medical care and health sciences. Training program options can differ a bit from state to state as each state has its own criteria when it pertains to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to diligently screen and compare each school before making your ultimate choice. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the right program for you. And with the appropriate education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Lemont PA.

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