Choosing a Phlebotomy Course near Mc Keesport Pennsylvania

Selecting the right phlebotomist training near Mc Keesport PA is a critical first step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult undertaking to assess and compare each of the training options that are available to you. However it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to make sure that you get a superior education. In reality, a large number of students start their search by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Another option you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review a bit more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and must be part of your selection process also. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you choose the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomy Technician Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their principal task, there is in fact far more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to confirm that the tools being utilized are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork needs to be properly completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab testing process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Mc Keesport PA phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are responsible for making sure that samples are analyzed properly under the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they can be asked to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The most basic response is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are many and varied, including Mc Keesport PA medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a specific type of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns solely. 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 every day.

Phlebotomist Training, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially 2 kinds of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Mc Keesport PA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to finish and furnishes a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they normally take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program provide a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will probably want to get certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, many employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. A few of the main 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 in order to practice as a phlebotomist, such as Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a premium education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Schools

To begin with, let’s dispel one potential mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant portion of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Mc Keesport 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-clinical part of the training can be accessed online, it could be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an added benefit, some online programs are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some expenditures, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a quality education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online might be the ideal option for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Since you now have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already selected the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Pennsylvania college is relevant in addition to the tuition expense. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomy online program. Each of these decisions are an important component of the process for picking a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are some questions that you need to ask about each of the Mc Keesport PA colleges you are looking at prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomist program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be working and preps you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you select should be accredited by a recognized national or regional accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a superior education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited programs in Mc Keesport 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 Ranking? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to check the reputations of all colleges you are reviewing. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can research online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even check with some Mc Keesport PA local clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and find out if they can provide any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Adequate Training Provided? First, 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 classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Mc Keesport 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 comprehensive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internships Provided? Ask the Pennsylvania programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with regional medical facilities. They are the optimal means to obtain hands-on clinical training typically not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Mc Keesport PA health care community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Landing your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Mc Keesport PA healthcare community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s important to make sure that the ultimate college you pick provides classes at times that will accommodate your busy lifestyle. This is especially important if you decide to still work while attending school. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Mc Keesport PA, make certain they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify 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 ask what the make-up policy is should you have to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's helpful to reflect on questions you may be asked. Among the things that interviewers typically ask Phlebotomy Tech prospects is "What made you pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not merely the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but also what attributes and skills you have that make you good at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of general interview questions, so you need to organize several approaches about how you want to address them. Considering there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this primary question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you as well as the abilities you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Technician and the ideal choice for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but write down a few concepts and topics that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample answers can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to impress the recruiter.

Select the Ideal Phlebotomy Course near Mc Keesport PA

Making sure that you select the ideal phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomy training programs are offered in a wide range of academic institutes, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive assortment of programs in medical care and health sciences. Course options may differ a bit from state to state as each state has its own prerequisites when it concerns phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must carefully research and compare each college before making your final decision. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the right college for you. And with the appropriate training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Mc Keesport PA.

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