Selecting a Phlebotomist School near Mendenhall Pennsylvania

Selecting the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Mendenhall PA is an important first step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting task to investigate and compare each of the training alternatives that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a superior education. In reality, a large number of prospective students start their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Another option you might look into 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’s important to keep in mind is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your selection process as well. 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 before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomy Technician Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, 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 has to confirm that the instruments being utilized are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork needs to be correctly filled out 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 screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Mendenhall PA phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are responsible for making sure that samples are tested correctly under the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they can be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The quickest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are many and diverse, such as Mendenhall PA hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a particular type of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be collecting blood from senior 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 environment would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially two types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Mendenhall PA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually 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 route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they normally take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program offer a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. While not required in the majority of states, many employers require certification before hiring technicians. A few 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 important that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a quality education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Schools

To begin with, let’s dispel one possible mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial portion of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Mendenhall 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 prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical component of the training can be attended online, it can be a more practical alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, some online schools are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive 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 attaining your degree or certificate online might be the right choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Now that you have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the type 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 important in addition to the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy school. Each of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for choosing a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you should ask about each of the Mendenhall PA colleges you are considering prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Pennsylvania? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be working and readies you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you pick should be accredited by a recognized national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from a guarantee of a superior education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are often not available for non-accredited programs in Mendenhall PA. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to check out the reputations of any schools you are looking at. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also talk to several Mendenhall PA local clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and ask if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? To begin with, check with the Pennsylvania regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Mendenhall PA phlebotomy program that you are considering should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums might signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internships Included? Ask the Pennsylvania programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with area healthcare facilities. They are the optimal way to get hands-on clinical training often not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Mendenhall PA health care community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Getting your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school 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 as well as a large network of professional contacts within the Mendenhall PA medical community.

Are Class Times Available as Needed? Finally, it’s critical to confirm that the ultimate program you pick provides classes at times that are compatible with your hectic schedule. This is especially true if you opt to still work while going to school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Mendenhall PA, make sure they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option also. And if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is should you need to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Become a Phlebotomist?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's advantageous to review questions you could be asked. One of the questions that hiring managers frequently ask Phlebotomy Tech prospects is "What drove you to pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not merely the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what attributes and talents you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of routine interview questions, so you should organize some strategies about how you would like to address them. Because there are so many variables that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession appeals to you as well as the talents you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Technician and the best candidate for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but take down several ideas and topics that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Going over sample answers can help you to develop your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to wow the interviewer.

Select the Ideal Phlebotomy College near Mendenhall PA

Making certain that you choose the ideal phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be offered in a number of educational institutions, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive range of courses in medical care and health sciences. Course options may vary a bit across the country as every state has its own requirements when it concerns phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must thoroughly research and compare each college before making your final selection. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the right school for you. And with the appropriate training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Mendenhall PA.

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