Choosing a Phlebotomist Course near Valley Forge Pennsylvania

Choosing the right phlebotomist training near Valley Forge PA is an essential initial step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult task to assess and compare all of the training alternatives that are available to you. However it’s important that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a superior education. In reality, most students start their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Another factor you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll review 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 finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and should be part of your decision process too. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you pick the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomy Tech Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their main duty, there is in fact far more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must check that the instruments being used 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 filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab testing process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many Valley Forge PA phlebotomists actually work in labs and are accountable for ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly under the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they might be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The easiest response is wherever there are patients. Their work places are numerous and diverse, including Valley Forge 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. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a particular type of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Education, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily 2 kinds of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Valley Forge PA, which are certificate and degree 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 route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they typically require 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program offer a more expansive background in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not required in the majority of states, many employers look for certification before employing 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 call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, including Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a quality education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Colleges

First, let’s dispel one possible misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A good component of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Valley Forge 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-clinical component of the training may be attended online, it could be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an added benefit, many online classes are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some expenditures, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist college you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the best choice for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Since you now have a basic understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Pennsylvania campus is significant as well as the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy program. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the process for selecting a program or school. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you need to ask about all of the Valley Forge PA schools you are looking at before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Pennsylvania? As mentioned previously, 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. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. 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 prepares you for any examinations you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you pick should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a superior education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are typically not available for non-accredited programs in Valley Forge PA. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In a number of 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 imperative to investigate the reputations of any 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 research online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even check with some Valley Forge PA area clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and see if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can check with the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? First, 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. At a minimum, any Valley Forge PA phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internships Included? Ask the Pennsylvania schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with regional medical facilities. They are the ideal means to get hands-on practical training often not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Valley Forge PA health care community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Available? Landing your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Valley Forge PA healthcare community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to confirm that the final college you choose offers classes at times that will accommodate your busy schedule. This is particularly true if you opt to continue working while going to college. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Valley Forge PA, make certain they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option also. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up procedure is in case you have to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomist?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's important to review questions you might be asked. Among the questions that interviewers frequently ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What compelled you to select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not only the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what qualities and abilities you possess that make you outstanding at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of general interview questions, so you should prepare several ideas about how you want to respond to them. Given that there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this primary question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the work appeals to you along with the strengths you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the leading choice for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but take down a few ideas and anecdotes that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample answers can assist you to formulate your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to impress the interviewer.

Enroll in the Right Phlebotomist College near Valley Forge PA

Making sure that you enroll in the right phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomy training programs are available in a number of educational institutes, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide assortment of courses in medical care and health sciences. Course offerings can vary a bit across the country as every state has its own requirements when it pertains to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to thoroughly evaluate and compare each program prior to making your ultimate choice. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the ideal college for you. And with the appropriate education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Valley Forge PA.

Learn About Valley Forge Pennsylvania

 

 

More Interesting Pennsylvania Cities

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Sassamansville PA 19472

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Cheltenham PA 19012

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Aston PA 19014

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Chester PA 19013

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Philadelphia PA 19019

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Red Lion PA 17356

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Chester Heights PA 19017

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Glenside PA 19038

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Elysburg PA 17824

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Lansdowne PA 19050