Choosing a Phlebotomist Course near Merion Station Pennsylvania

Picking the right phlebotomist school near Merion Station PA is an essential first step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging undertaking to investigate and compare all of the school options that are accessible to you. However it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a quality education. In reality, most prospective students begin their search by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another option you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation 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 reviewing to help you select 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 training.

Phlebotomist Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their primary duty, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to confirm that the instruments being utilized are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork needs to be correctly completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory screening procedure. 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 infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Merion Station PA phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are accountable for making certain that samples are tested correctly using the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they might be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The simplest response is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are numerous and diverse, including Merion Station PA medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be charged to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing blood from a certain kind of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be collecting blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients every day.

Phlebotomist Training, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially 2 types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Merion Station PA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to finish and offers a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they usually require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program furnish a more extensive background in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not required in most states, most employers look for certification before employing technicians. Some of the key certifying organizations 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 prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, like Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a superior education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Training

First, let’s dispel one likely misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial portion of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Merion Station 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 in order to graduate. But since the non-clinical portion of the training can be attended online, it could be a more practical alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, some online classes are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenses, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a superior education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the right choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Now that you have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Pennsylvania school is significant in addition to the tuition expense. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist school. All of these decisions are a critical component of the process for choosing a program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are several questions that you should ask about each of the Merion Station PA programs you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Pennsylvania? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a highly regarded 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 school in addition to an assurance of a quality education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited programs in Merion Station PA. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of all colleges you are reviewing. You can begin 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 also. You can even contact several Merion Station PA area hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and find out if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? 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 amount of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Merion Station PA phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should provide no less than 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 Internship Programs Provided? Find out from the Pennsylvania schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with area medical facilities. They are the optimal means to receive hands-on clinical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local Merion Station PA healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Landing your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a higher rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Merion Station PA medical community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s important to verify that the final college you pick offers classes at times that are compatible with your busy schedule. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while going to school. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Merion Station PA, make certain they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option as well. And if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is in case you need to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's helpful to review questions you might be asked. Among the questions that interviewers typically ask Phlebotomy Technician prospects is "What made you choose Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not only the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what attributes and skills you possess that make you good at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of standard interview questions, so you must ready some ideas about how you want to answer them. Given that there are several variables that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the work appeals to you as well as the abilities you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Technician and the leading candidate for the position. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but take down some concepts and anecdotes that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample answers can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to impress the recruiter.

Choose the Best Phlebotomist College near Merion Station PA

Making sure that you enroll in the right phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare career position. As we have covered 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 variety of educational institutes, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive assortment of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program offerings can vary somewhat from state to state as each state has its own requirements when it pertains to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to carefully research and compare each school before making your ultimate selection. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the right college for you. And with the proper education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Merion Station PA.

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