Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician Course near Tannersville Pennsylvania

Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomist training near Tannersville PA is a critical initial step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting undertaking to investigate and compare all of the school options that are available to you. However it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you receive a quality education. In fact, many potential students begin their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another factor you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and must be part of your decision process as well. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you pick the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomy Technician Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their main function, there is actually much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be properly completed in order to track the sample from the point 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 tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Tannersville PA phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are responsible for making certain that samples are tested correctly using the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they might be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The simplest response is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are numerous and diverse, such as Tannersville PA hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be charged to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, 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 instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be drawing blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily 2 types of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Tannersville PA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to complete and provides a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest method 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. Offered at community and junior colleges, they typically take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program furnish a more expansive background in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will probably want to become certified. While not required in most states, most employers require certification before hiring technicians. Some of the key certifying organizations 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 call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, such as California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a superior education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Classes

To begin with, let’s resolve one possible mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial part of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Tannersville 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 accessed online, it may be a more practical option for many students. As an added benefit, a number of online programs are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some expenses, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the best choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Since you now have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already decided on the kind 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 relevant as well as the cost of tuition. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online college. All of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for choosing a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are several questions that you should ask about all of the Tannersville PA programs you are reviewing before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As previously mentioned, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely 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 all exams you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you select should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages 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 take a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited schools in Tannersville PA. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to future 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 quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to check the reputations of all schools you are looking at. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job assistance program. You can research online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even check with some Tannersville PA local hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and ask if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Included? To begin with, check with the Pennsylvania regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Tannersville PA phlebotomy program that you are looking at should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Find out from the Pennsylvania colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with local healthcare facilities. They are the ideal means to receive hands-on practical training typically not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Tannersville PA healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Offered? Finding your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Tannersville PA medical community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s important to confirm that the ultimate program you select offers classes at times that are compatible with your hectic schedule. This is particularly important if you decide to still work while attending college. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Tannersville PA, make certain they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option also. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is in case you need to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomist?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's helpful to reflect on questions you could be asked. One of the questions that interviewers often ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What drove you to select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not only the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what qualities and skills you possess that make you good at your profession. You will probably be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of routine interview questions, so you should prepare a number of ideas about how you want to address them. Given that there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the profession appeals to you along with the strengths you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomist and the best candidate for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but jot down some concepts and talking points that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample answers can assist you to formulate your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to impress the recruiter.

Select the Right Phlebotomist School near Tannersville PA

Making sure that you enroll in the right phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding health care field. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a superior college. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be available in a variety of academic institutions, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide assortment of programs in medical care and health sciences. Course options can vary slightly across the country as each state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to diligently research and compare each college before making your ultimate choice. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the right school for you. And with the proper education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Tannersville PA.

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