Picking a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Phoenixville Pennsylvania

Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomy training near Phoenixville PA is an essential first step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult undertaking to investigate and compare all of the school options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you receive a quality education. In fact, many potential students start the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Another factor you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll review a bit more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and must be part of your decision process too. To assist in that effort, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you pick the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomy Technician Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their primary duty, there is in fact much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the tools being used are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork needs to be accurately completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab testing procedure. 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 infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many Phoenixville PA phlebotomists actually work in labs and are responsible for ensuring that samples are tested correctly under the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they might be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The easiest response is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are numerous and varied, including Phoenixville PA medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a specific type of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients each day.

Phlebotomist Education, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially 2 types of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Phoenixville PA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to complete and provides a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they typically require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program offer a more expansive background in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, most employers require certification before 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 phlebotomist, such as Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a superior education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Colleges

To start with, let’s resolve one likely mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant component of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Phoenixville PA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-clinical component of the training can be attended online, it could be a more convenient alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, many online classes are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some expenditures, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a quality education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the best choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Since you now have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the type of program you wish 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 cost of tuition. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online program. All of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for selecting a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you need to ask about all of the Phoenixville PA schools you are looking at before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may 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 practicing and preps you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you choose should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting organization, 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 premium education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited schools in Phoenixville PA. Finally, 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 College’s Reputation? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to investigate the reputations of any schools you are reviewing. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can research online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even check with several Phoenixville PA local clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and find out if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? First, 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 classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Phoenixville PA phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Ask the Pennsylvania schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with local medical facilities. They are the ideal way to obtain hands-on clinical training often not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Phoenixville PA health care community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Finding your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Phoenixville PA medical community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to make sure that the ultimate school you choose provides classes at times that are compatible with your busy lifestyle. This is especially important if you opt to still work while attending college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Phoenixville PA, make sure they are available at those times. Also, 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 completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is in case you need to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Choose to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's helpful to reflect on questions you may be asked. One of the questions that hiring managers typically ask Phlebotomist applicants is "What drove you to pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not just the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but also what qualities and talents you have that make you exceptional at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of general interview questions, so you need to prepare several ideas about how you want to respond to them. Considering there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession appeals to you in addition to the strengths you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the leading candidate for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but take down a few concepts and anecdotes that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample answers can help you to formulate your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.

Enroll in the Right Phlebotomy Course near Phoenixville PA

Making certain that you enroll in the most suitable phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are offered in a wide range of educational institutes, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide assortment of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Program options can differ somewhat across the country as every state has its own prerequisites when it pertains to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must carefully research and compare each school before making your ultimate choice. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the best college for you. And with the appropriate education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Phoenixville PA.

Learn About Phoenixville Pennsylvania

 

 

More Interesting Pennsylvania Cities

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Karns City PA 16041

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Meadville PA 16335

Phlebotomy Training Schools near California PA 15419

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Wind Ridge PA 15380

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Delaware Water Gap PA 18327

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Marienville PA 16239

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Springfield PA 19064

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Pipersville PA 18947

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Johnstown PA 15901

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Rome PA 18837