Choosing a Phlebotomy School near Rimersburg Pennsylvania

Selecting the ideal phlebotomy technician training near Rimersburg PA is a critical first step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting task to investigate and compare all of the school options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you get a quality education. In reality, many prospective students start the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional option you may consider is whether to attend online classes 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 a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and must be part of your selection process as well. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you need to 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 continue our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomy Technician Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their main duty, there is actually so 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. After collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork needs to be properly completed in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Rimersburg PA phlebotomists actually work in labs and are in charge of making sure that samples are analyzed correctly utilizing the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they can be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The easiest response is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are numerous and varied, including Rimersburg PA hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing blood from a particular type of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients each day.

Phlebotomist Education, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily two kinds of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Rimersburg PA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to finish and offers a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they normally require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program provide a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. While not mandated in most states, a number of employers require certification prior to employing technicians. Some of the primary certifying agencies 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 in order to practice as a phlebotomist, like California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a premium education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Schools

First, let’s dispel one potential misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A good portion of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Rimersburg PA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-clinical portion of the training may be accessed online, it may be a more convenient alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, a number of online programs are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some costs, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy school you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a superior education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the right choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Since you now have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already decided on the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Pennsylvania campus is relevant in addition to the cost of tuition. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist program. All of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for selecting a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are some questions that you need to ask about each of the Rimersburg PA colleges you are looking at prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Pennsylvania? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for any examinations you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you pick should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a quality education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited schools in Rimersburg PA. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of any schools you are considering. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even contact some Rimersburg PA area hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and see if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Adequate Training Provided? First, contact the Pennsylvania regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Rimersburg PA phlebotomy program that you are considering should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums might indicate that the program is not expansive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask the Pennsylvania colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional medical facilities. They are the optimal way to get hands-on practical training typically not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Rimersburg PA health care community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Finding your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Rimersburg PA medical community.

Are Class Times Available as Needed? And last, it’s important to make sure that the ultimate college you choose offers classes at times that are compatible with your busy lifestyle. This is particularly true if you opt to still work while going to college. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Rimersburg PA, make sure they are available 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 sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up procedure is should you have to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's helpful to reflect on questions you could be asked. One of the questions that interviewers typically ask Phlebotomist prospects is "What drove you to decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not just the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what qualities and talents you have that make you good at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of general interview questions, so you must prepare a number of approaches about how you would like to answer them. Because there are numerous factors that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the talents you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the leading choice for the job. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but write down a few concepts and talking points that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can assist you to formulate your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to impress the interviewer.

Enroll in the Best Phlebotomy Course near Rimersburg PA

Making sure that you select the ideal phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this fulfilling healthcare field. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be found in a number of academic institutes, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide assortment of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Course options may differ slightly from state to state as each state has its own prerequisites when it comes to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to thoroughly research and compare each college prior to making your final decision. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the ideal program for you. And with the appropriate training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Rimersburg PA.

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