Picking a Phlebotomy School near Mainland Pennsylvania

Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomy technician training near Mainland PA is an essential initial step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting task to analyze and compare all of the school options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you do your due diligence to make certain that you get a quality education. In reality, a large number of potential students start their search by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another option you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll talk more about online classes later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and should be part of your decision process as well. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you select 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 classes.

Phlebotomist Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their primary duty, there is actually much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the tools being employed are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork has to be accurately completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Mainland PA phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are responsible for 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, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The most basic answer is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are numerous and diverse, such as Mainland PA medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be charged to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a particular kind of patient. For instance, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing 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 Education, Certification and Licensing

There are basically 2 kinds of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Mainland PA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to complete and offers a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they usually take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program offer a more extensive background in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. Although not mandated in most states, most employers look for certification prior to employing technicians. Some of the principal 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 require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, including California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a premium education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Colleges

First, let’s dispel one potential misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial part of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Mainland PA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-practical component of the training may be attended online, it can be a more practical option for some students. As an additional benefit, a number of online colleges are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some expenditures, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a superior education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the ideal option for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Now that you have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the kind 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 cost of tuition. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy program. Each of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for picking a program or school. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you should ask about each of the Mainland PA colleges you are considering before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed before working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be working and preps you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you choose 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 a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a quality education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Mainland PA. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to investigate the reputations of any schools you are reviewing. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also check with some Mainland PA area clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and find out if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Adequate 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 clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Mainland 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 clinical training. Anything below these minimums might signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Find out from the Pennsylvania programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with area healthcare facilities. They are the optimal way to receive hands-on practical training frequently not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Mainland PA healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Available? Landing your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the programs 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 school has both a good reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Mainland PA health care community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? And last, it’s critical to confirm that the ultimate program you choose offers classes at times that are compatible with your hectic schedule. This is particularly important if you decide to continue working while attending school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Mainland PA, check that they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option also. And if you have decided to study 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 emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Choose to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's advantageous to reflect on questions you might be asked. Among the questions that interviewers often ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What compelled you to pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not just the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what attributes and skills you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will likely be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of routine interview questions, so you must organize a number of ideas about how you want to answer them. Since there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work appeals to you along with the strengths you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Tech and the best choice for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but take down a few ideas and talking points that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample responses can assist you to formulate your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.

Find the Best Phlebotomy School near Mainland PA

Making certain that you select the right phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomy training programs are available in a wide range of educational institutes, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Program options may vary a bit from state to state as every state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must diligently screen and compare each program prior to making your ultimate decision. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the ideal program for you. And with the proper education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Mainland PA.

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