Picking a Phlebotomy School near Milesburg Pennsylvania

Choosing the ideal phlebotomist school near Milesburg PA is a critical first step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting undertaking to evaluate and compare all of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you obtain a quality education. In fact, a large number of students begin their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional option you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk more about online classes later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and must be part of your selection process also. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you select the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomy Technician Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their main duty, there is in fact much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the instruments being employed are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be accurately completed in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Milesburg PA phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are responsible for making certain that samples are tested properly using the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they can be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The easiest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their workplaces are many and diverse, including Milesburg PA medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a particular type of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from new patients each day.

Phlebotomy Education, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily two kinds of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Milesburg PA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to complete and furnishes a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they usually take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program furnish a more extensive background in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. Although not required in the majority of states, a number of employers require certification prior to hiring technicians. Some 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 several states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, such as Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a premium education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Certificates and Degrees

To start with, let’s dispel one possible mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial portion of the course of study will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Milesburg PA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-practical portion of the training can be accessed online, it can be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an added benefit, a number of online programs are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some expenditures, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened also. Just verify that the online phlebotomist school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a quality education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online might be the right option for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Since you now have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Pennsylvania school is important in addition to the tuition expense. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist program. All of these decisions are an important part of the process for picking a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are a few questions that you need to ask about all of the Milesburg PA colleges you are reviewing prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Pennsylvania? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you pick should be accredited by a respected regional or national 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 aside from an assurance of a superior education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited programs in Milesburg PA. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of all 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 assistance program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even check with several Milesburg PA area hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest 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 complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Ample Training Included? First, contact the Pennsylvania regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Milesburg PA phlebotomist program that you are looking at should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums might indicate that the program is not expansive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internships Provided? Find out from the Pennsylvania programs you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with local healthcare facilities. They are the optimal way to receive hands-on clinical training typically not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Milesburg PA healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Landing your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the Milesburg PA healthcare community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s crucial to make sure that the ultimate school you choose offers classes at times that are compatible with your hectic lifestyle. This is especially important if you decide to still work while attending college. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Milesburg PA, make certain they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option also. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up procedure is in case you have to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's important to review questions you might be asked. One of the things that recruiters often ask Phlebotomy Technician prospects is "What drove you to pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not only the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomist, but additionally what attributes and abilities you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of routine interview questions, so you should organize several approaches about how you would like to answer them. Since there are several factors that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this primary question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the talents you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the ideal candidate for the position. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but jot down a few concepts and talking points that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample responses can assist you to formulate your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.

Choose the Ideal Phlebotomy Course near Milesburg PA

Making certain that you select the most suitable phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior college. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are available in a wide range of academic institutes, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program options may vary a bit from state to state as every state has its own mandates when it comes to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must diligently screen and compare each program before making your ultimate selection. By addressing 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 accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Milesburg PA.

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