Picking a Phlebotomy Technician School near Saxonburg Pennsylvania

Picking the right phlebotomy technician training near Saxonburg PA is an important initial step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging task to assess and compare each of the training alternatives that are available to you. However it’s important that you do your due diligence to ensure that you receive a superior education. In reality, most students begin the process by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional option you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online classes later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and need to be part of your selection process too. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you choose the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomy Tech Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their principal function, there is in fact much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must check that the tools being used are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork has to be correctly completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab testing procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers 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. A number of Saxonburg PA phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are responsible for ensuring that samples are tested properly under the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they might be asked to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The quickest response is wherever patients are treated. Their workplaces are numerous and varied, such as Saxonburg PA hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be charged to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a particular kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Education, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily two types of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Saxonburg PA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to complete and furnishes a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they typically take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program offer a more extensive background in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will probably want to become certified. While not required in most states, most employers require certification before employing technicians. A few of the principal 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 additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a quality education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Classes

To begin with, let’s dispel one potential mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A good portion of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Saxonburg PA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-practical component of the training can be attended online, it may be a more convenient option for many students. As an added benefit, some online colleges are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some expenses, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy school you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a quality education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the best option for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Since you now have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already selected 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 school is significant in addition to the tuition expense. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online school. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the process for picking a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you should ask about each of the Saxonburg PA colleges you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you pick should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited school in addition to a guarantee of a superior education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited schools in Saxonburg PA. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of any schools you are looking at. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also contact several Saxonburg PA area clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and see 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 schools are in total compliance.

Is Adequate Training Included? First, contact the Pennsylvania regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Saxonburg 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 less than these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Ask the Pennsylvania colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with area healthcare facilities. They are the optimal way to receive hands-on practical training frequently not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local Saxonburg PA medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Finding your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Saxonburg PA medical community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? And last, it’s crucial to confirm that the ultimate program you select provides classes at times that are compatible with your busy lifestyle. This is particularly important if you decide to still work while going to college. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Saxonburg PA, check that they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option as well. 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 find out what the make-up procedure is in case you have to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you could be asked. One of the things that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What compelled you to select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not merely the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but also what characteristics and abilities you possess that make you good at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of routine interview questions, so you must ready some ideas about how you would like to respond to them. Because there are several factors that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession appeals to you in addition to the strengths you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Technician and the best choice for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but take down several ideas and talking points that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample responses can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.

Choose the Ideal Phlebotomy Course near Saxonburg PA

Making sure that you enroll in the most suitable phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this rewarding medical care field. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be offered in a number of educational institutions, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide assortment of courses in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings may differ somewhat from state to state as every state has its own mandates when it pertains to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to carefully screen and compare each program prior to making your final choice. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the ideal program for you. And with the proper training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Saxonburg PA.

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