Phlebotomy Training Schools near Smoketown PA 17576 - Find Phlebotomist Schools Near You

Picking a Phlebotomy Technician School near Smoketown Pennsylvania

Smoketown PA phlebotomist taking blood sample Picking the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Smoketown PA is a critical initial step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting undertaking to investigate and compare each of the school options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a quality education. In fact, many potential students begin the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional option you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review a bit more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and should be part of your selection process too. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you choose the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomy Technician Job Summary

Smoketown PA phlebotomist testing blood sample A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their primary responsibility, there is actually far more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the instruments being utilized are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork must be accurately completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory screening process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Smoketown PA phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are in charge of ensuring that samples are analyzed properly under the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they may be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The most basic response is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are numerous and varied, such as Smoketown PA hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a specific type of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients every day.

Phlebotomy Training, Certification and Licensing

Smoketown PA phlebotomist holding blood sample There are basically two types of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Smoketown PA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to complete and provides a basic 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 include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they usually require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program offer a more expansive background in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will probably want to become certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, most employers look for certification prior to employing technicians. A few 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 some states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, including Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a superior education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Classes

attending phlebotomy training online in Smoketown PA To begin with, let’s resolve one likely mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A good component of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Smoketown 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 prior to graduation. However since the non-practical portion of the training may be attended online, it may be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an added benefit, a number of online schools are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenses, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy program you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a premium education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the right choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Since you now have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already selected the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Pennsylvania school is important in addition to the cost of tuition. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomist online school. Each of these decisions are an important component of the process for picking a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Following are some questions that you need to ask about all of the Smoketown PA schools you are reviewing before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed before working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be working and preps you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you select should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a quality education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges in Smoketown PA. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In many 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 imperative to check the reputations of all schools you are considering. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even contact a few Smoketown PA local clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and see if they can offer any insights. As a closing 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 Plenty of Training Provided? To begin with, contact the Pennsylvania regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Smoketown PA phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Find out from the Pennsylvania programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with area medical facilities. They are the ideal means to receive hands-on clinical training often not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Smoketown PA medical community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

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

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to confirm that the final college you choose offers classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is particularly true if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Smoketown PA, make sure they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option also. And if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is should you need to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's important to reflect on questions you could be asked. Among the questions that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What compelled you to choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not merely the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but additionally what characteristics and talents you have that make you exceptional at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of standard interview questions, so you should prepare some ideas about how you would like to respond to them. Considering there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work appeals to you in addition to the abilities you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Technician and the ideal choice for the job. Don't try to memorize an answer, but take down several concepts and topics that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Going over sample responses can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to wow the interviewer.

Select the Right Phlebotomy Program near Smoketown PA

Making certain that you select the ideal phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling healthcare field. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are available in a wide range of educational institutions, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive array of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Program options can differ a bit across the country as each state has its own prerequisites when it pertains to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must thoroughly evaluate and compare each school prior to making your ultimate decision. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the ideal school for you. And with the proper training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Smoketown PA.

Learn About Smoketown Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Route 340

Pennsylvania Route 340 (PA 340) is a 30-mile-long (48 km) state highway located in Lancaster and Chester counties in Pennsylvania. The western terminus is at PA 462 in Lancaster. The eastern terminus is at U.S. Route 30 Business (US 30 Bus.) in Thorndale. The route is a two-lane road passing through rural areas, heading through the Pennsylvania Dutch Country in eastern Lancaster County that is home to several Amish families and serving the communities of Bird-in-Hand, Intercourse, White Horse, Compass, and Wagontown. PA 340 intersects US 30 near Lancaster, PA 772 in Intercourse, PA 897 in White Horse, PA 10 in Compass, PA 82 in Wagontown, and US 30 again near Thorndale.

The route follows the route of the King's Highway that linked Lancaster and Philadelphia in colonial times and is, in fact, named King's Highway during the first few miles of its length near Thorndale. PA 340 was first designated in 1928 between US 222/PA 240 east of Lancaster and US 30/PA 1 in Gap, following its current route to White Horse before turning south to Gap. In 1937, the route was extended east to US 30 in Coatesville by heading east along its current route to Wagontown and turning south to Coatesville, with PA 897 replacing the former route between White Horse and Gap. By 1940, the route was extended west to US 22 in Harrisburg, heading west to Marietta, north to Hershey, northwest to Union Deposit, and west to Harrisburg. PA 340 was rerouted to end at US 30 in Thorndale during the 1940s. In the 1950s, the west end was cut back to US 422 in Hershey. The western terminus was scaled back to PA 441 in Marietta by 1962 and its current location by 1970, with the former alignment now PA 743 between Hershey and Marietta and PA 23 between Marietta and Lancaster.

PA 340 begins at an intersection with PA 462 in East Lampeter Township, Lancaster County, heading east on two-lane undivided Old Philadelphia Pike. The road passes through areas of homes and businesses, briefly forming the border between the city of Lancaster to the north and East Lampeter Township to the south. Farther east, the route runs between industrial parks to the north and neighborhoods to the south before coming to an interchange with the US 30 freeway that does not have a ramp from westbound US 30 to PA 340. Past this interchange, PA 340 heads through less dense areas of residential and commercial development with some farm fields.[2][3] At this point, the route enters the Pennsylvania Dutch Country of eastern Lancaster County, which is home to many Amish farms and businesses catering to tourists.[4][5] The road enters the community of Smoketown and intersects the northern terminus of PA 896 to the south of Smoketown Airport. The route continues east to Bird-in-Hand, where it passes under Amtrak's Philadelphia to Harrisburg Main Line.[2][3]

PA 340 enters Leacock Township and runs through open agricultural land with occasional homes. The road heads into Intercourse and passes homes and businesses. PA 340 intersects PA 772 and forms a concurrency with that route on Main Street, with the road gaining a center left-turn lane. PA 772 splits to the southeast and PA 340 passes more residential development on Old Philadelphia Pike. The road leaves Intercourse and loses the turn lane, continuing through more farmland. The route heads into Salisbury Township and runs through more rural areas, passing through Spring Garden. PA 340 comes to an intersection with PA 897 and runs concurrent with that route before PA 897 turns south in the community of White Horse. Following this, the road runs east through more areas of farm fields.[2][3]

The location could not be found.