Picking a Phlebotomy School near Sewickley Pennsylvania

Picking the right phlebotomy school near Sewickley PA is a critical first step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging undertaking to evaluate and compare all of the training options that are available to you. However it’s important that you do your due diligence to make certain that you receive a quality education. In fact, most students start their search by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another factor you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and must be part of your selection 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 evaluating to help you pick 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 training.

Phlebotomy Tech Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their main task, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the tools being used are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork must be accurately filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory screening procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Sewickley PA phlebotomists actually work in labs and are accountable for ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly using the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they might be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The simplest response is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are many and diverse, such as Sewickley PA hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a particular type of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be collecting blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Training, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially 2 kinds of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Sewickley PA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to complete and furnishes a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they normally take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program offer a more expansive background in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, many employers require certification before hiring technicians. Some of the main 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 require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, such as California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a superior education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Classes

To begin with, let’s resolve one potential mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial part of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Sewickley 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 prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical portion of the training can be attended online, it may be a more practical alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, many online schools are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened also. Just verify that the online phlebotomist college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a quality education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the best option for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Now that you have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already selected 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 important in addition to the cost of tuition. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy college. All of these decisions are an important part of the process for selecting a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are several questions that you need to ask about each of the Sewickley PA programs you are looking at before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, 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 amount of clinical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be working and prepares you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you choose should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a premium education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges in Sewickley PA. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to check out the reputations of all colleges you are considering. 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 research internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even check with several Sewickley PA local clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and see if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can check with the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Included? First, check with the Pennsylvania regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Sewickley 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 below these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internships Included? Find out from the Pennsylvania colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with area medical facilities. They are the optimal means to obtain hands-on practical training often not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Sewickley PA medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Landing your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Find out if the colleges you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a higher rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Sewickley PA healthcare community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s important to make sure that the ultimate college you pick provides classes at times that are compatible with your active schedule. This is especially important if you decide to continue working while going to college. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Sewickley PA, make certain 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 attend online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is in case you have to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Desire to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's helpful to consider questions you could be asked. One of the things that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomist applicants is "What made you pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not only the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but additionally what attributes and talents you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of general interview questions, so you need to prepare a number of strategies about how you would like to respond to them. Considering there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can answer this primary question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the profession appeals to you as well as the talents you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the perfiect candidate for the position. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but jot down some concepts and topics that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can help you to prepare your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to wow the interviewer.

Select the Ideal Phlebotomist School near Sewickley PA

Making sure that you pick the right phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding healthcare career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomy training programs can be found in a variety of educational institutes, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive assortment of programs in medical care and health sciences. Course options may vary a bit from state to state as each state has its own criteria when it pertains to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must thoroughly screen and compare each program before making your final decision. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the right program for you. And with the appropriate training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Sewickley PA.

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