Selecting a Phlebotomist School near Newport Pennsylvania

Enrolling in the right phlebotomist school near Newport PA is an essential initial step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting undertaking to assess and compare all of the training options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you receive a superior education. In fact, a large number of prospective students begin their search by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Another option you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and must be part of your decision process too. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you pick the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomy Tech Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their main task, there is in fact far more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the tools being utilized are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork must be properly filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Newport PA phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are in charge of making certain that samples are tested properly utilizing the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they may be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The quickest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their workplaces are numerous and diverse, such as Newport PA hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be charged to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a certain type of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Certification and Licensing

There are basically two types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Newport PA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to complete and offers a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they typically take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program offer a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. Although not required in the majority of states, a number of employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. Some of the primary 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 call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, such as California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only furnishes a superior education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Certificates and Degrees

To begin with, let’s resolve one possible mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A good portion of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Newport 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 may be attended online, it can be a more practical option for some students. As an added benefit, some online programs are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some expenditures, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized also. Just verify that the online phlebotomist college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the best choice for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Since you now have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already decided on the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Pennsylvania campus is significant as well as the tuition expense. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomy online college. All of these decisions are an important component of the process for choosing a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Following are some questions that you need to ask about all of the Newport PA colleges you are reviewing before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely 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 examinations you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from a guarantee of a premium education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools in Newport PA. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of all colleges you are reviewing. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also talk to a few Newport PA area hospitals or clinics that you may 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 ask if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Included? To begin with, check with 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 Newport PA phlebotomy program that you are considering should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internships Provided? Ask the Pennsylvania schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with regional healthcare facilities. They are the optimal way to obtain hands-on practical training frequently not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Newport PA healthcare community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Finding your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation together with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Newport PA medical community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s critical to make sure that the ultimate program you choose provides classes at times that are compatible with your active schedule. This is particularly important if you decide to continue working while attending school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Newport PA, make sure they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option also. Even if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is in case you need to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's helpful to review questions you might be asked. One of the questions that hiring managers typically ask Phlebotomy Technician prospects is "What drove you to decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not merely the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what characteristics and abilities you have that make you good at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of routine interview questions, so you should organize a number of strategies about how you want to respond to 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 readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the work interests you along with the talents you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the best choice for the job. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but take down several concepts and talking points that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Reading through sample responses can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to impress the recruiter.

Choose the Right Phlebotomy Course near Newport PA

Making sure that you enroll in the most suitable phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare field. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomy training programs are offered in a wide range of educational institutions, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive range of courses in medical care and health sciences. Program options can differ slightly across the country as each state has its own mandates when it concerns phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must diligently evaluate and compare each college 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 ideal program for you. And with the appropriate education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Newport PA.

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