Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Marienville Pennsylvania

Choosing the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Marienville PA is an important first step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting task to evaluate and compare all of the school options that are available to you. However it’s vital that you do your due diligence to make certain that you receive a quality education. In fact, many students begin the process by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another option you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll talk more about online classes later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and should be part of your decision process as well. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you should 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 address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomist Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their primary function, there is in fact far more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the instruments being used are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork needs to be properly completed in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab testing process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Marienville PA phlebotomists actually work in labs and are accountable for making certain that samples are analyzed correctly utilizing the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they might be required to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The easiest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are many and diverse, including Marienville PA medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a specific type of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Training, Licensing and Certification

There are basically 2 kinds of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Marienville PA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to finish and offers a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they normally take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program offer a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will probably want to become certified. Although not required in the majority of states, many employers require certification prior to employing 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 a few states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, including Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a premium education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Schools

To start with, let’s resolve one likely mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial component of the course of study will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Marienville PA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical portion of the training can be attended online, it could be a more convenient option for some students. As an added benefit, a number of online classes are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some costs, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a superior education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online might be the ideal choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Now that you have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already chosen 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 campus is important in addition to the cost of tuition. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomy online program. Each of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for choosing a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you need to ask about each of the Marienville PA colleges you are looking at before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you select should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited school in addition to a guarantee of a quality education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Marienville PA. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of any schools you are reviewing. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their students as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also contact several Marienville PA area hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and find out if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been filed 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 working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Marienville PA phlebotomist program that you are considering should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Ask the Pennsylvania colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with local health care facilities. They are the ideal way to receive hands-on practical training frequently not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Marienville PA healthcare community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Landing your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college 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 along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Marienville PA health care community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? Finally, it’s crucial to confirm that the ultimate program you choose provides classes at times that will accommodate your hectic lifestyle. This is particularly true if you opt to still work while going to school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Marienville PA, check that they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option also. And if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is should you have to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's important to review questions you could be asked. Among the questions that hiring managers often ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What made you pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not only the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what qualities and skills you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of standard interview questions, so you need to ready a number of strategies about how you want to respond to them. Considering there are numerous factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this primary question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the profession appeals to you in addition to the talents you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the ideal candidate for the position. Don't try to memorize an answer, but jot down several concepts and talking points that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reading through sample answers can assist you to prepare your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.

Select the Best Phlebotomy Program near Marienville PA

Making sure that you pick the ideal phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding healthcare career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a superior school. Phlebotomist training programs can be available in a wide range of academic institutions, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive range of courses in medical care and health sciences. Program options may vary slightly across the country as every state has its own requirements when it pertains to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to thoroughly screen and compare each program prior to making your final choice. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the best school for you. And with the appropriate education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Marienville PA.

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