Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician Course near Southeastern Pennsylvania

Enrolling in the right phlebotomy training near Southeastern PA is an important initial step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging undertaking to analyze and compare all of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you do your due diligence to make certain that you obtain a quality education. In reality, a large number of students start the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Another factor you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and must be part of your selection process too. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing 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 schools.

Phlebotomy Technician Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their main duty, there is actually so much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the instruments being employed are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork needs to be accurately completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory testing process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many Southeastern PA phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are accountable for ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly using the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they might be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The most basic answer is wherever patients are treated. Their workplaces are many and diverse, including Southeastern PA medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a certain kind of patient. For instance, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be drawing blood from older 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 environment would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients each day.

Phlebotomist Training, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially 2 kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Southeastern PA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to complete and offers a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they usually take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program provide a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. Although not mandated in most states, most employers look for certification before hiring 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 several states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, including California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a premium education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Classes

First, let’s dispel one likely misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial part of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Southeastern PA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical part of the training can be accessed online, it could be a more convenient option for many students. As an additional benefit, some online classes are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some expenditures, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a quality education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the right choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Now that you have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already selected the kind 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 college is significant in addition to the cost of tuition. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist program. Each of these decisions are an important component of the process for choosing a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you should ask about all of the Southeastern PA programs you are looking at prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you choose should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited school in addition to a guarantee of a premium education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited programs in Southeastern PA. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In a number of 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 essential to check out the reputations of any colleges you are reviewing. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also talk to several Southeastern PA local hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and ask if they can offer any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Adequate Training Provided? 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. At a minimum, any Southeastern PA phlebotomist program that you are considering should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internships Included? Find out from the Pennsylvania colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional healthcare facilities. They are the optimal way to receive hands-on clinical training frequently not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Southeastern PA medical community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Getting your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the programs you are reviewing 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 jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Southeastern PA medical community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s important to confirm that the final program you select offers classes at times that will accommodate your busy schedule. This is particularly true if you choose to still work while going to college. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Southeastern PA, make certain they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option as well. And if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is should you have to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomist?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's helpful to consider questions you might be asked. One of the things that hiring managers frequently ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What made you select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not merely the private reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what attributes and abilities you have that make you exceptional at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of typical interview questions, so you must organize several approaches about how you would like to answer them. Given that there are several variables that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the strengths you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomist and the ideal choice for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but write down several concepts and topics that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample responses can assist you to develop your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.

Choose the Ideal Phlebotomist College near Southeastern PA

Making certain that you choose 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 several factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomy training programs are found in a number of academic institutes, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive array of courses in medical care and health sciences. Training program offerings may differ slightly across the country as each state has its own requirements when it concerns phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to carefully screen and compare each school prior to making your final 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 college for you. And with the appropriate training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Southeastern PA.

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