Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near West Middlesex Pennsylvania

Choosing the right phlebotomist school near West Middlesex PA is an important first step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting task to analyze and compare each of the training options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you receive a quality education. In reality, a large number of potential students start their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional option you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and should be part of your selection process also. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you select the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomy Technician Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their primary responsibility, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the tools being employed are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork has to be properly completed to be able to track the sample from the point 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 tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many West Middlesex PA phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are responsible for making sure that samples are tested correctly utilizing the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they may be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The quickest response is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are many and diverse, including West Middlesex PA medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be charged to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a particular type of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from new patients every day.

Phlebotomy Education, Licensing and Certification

There are basically two kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in West Middlesex PA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to finish and furnishes a basic education as well as 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 exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they normally require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program offer a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will probably want to be certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, a number of employers require certification before employing technicians. Some of the principal certifying agencies 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 require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, such as Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a superior education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Training

To begin with, let’s dispel one likely misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant portion of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved West Middlesex PA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-practical part of the training can be attended online, it might be a more practical alternative for some students. As an added benefit, some online schools are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some costs, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the right option for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Now that you have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already picked the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Pennsylvania college is significant as well as the tuition expense. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online school. All of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for choosing a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Following are a few questions that you should ask about each of the West Middlesex PA schools you are looking at before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As previously mentioned, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be working and preps you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you pick should be accredited by a reputable 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 quality education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited schools in West Middlesex PA. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to check out the reputations of all colleges you are considering. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their students as part of their job assistance program. You can research online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also talk to several West Middlesex PA local clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and find out if they can provide any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with 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? 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 amount of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any West Middlesex 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 less than these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out from the Pennsylvania colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with area healthcare facilities. They are the optimal means to obtain hands-on clinical training typically not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local West Middlesex PA healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Landing your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation together with a substantial network of professional contacts within the West Middlesex PA healthcare community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s important to make sure that the final college you select provides classes at times that are compatible with your hectic lifestyle. This is especially important if you choose to still work while attending school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near West Middlesex PA, make sure they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option also. Even if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make certain 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 illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you could be asked. One of the questions that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What made you choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not just the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what attributes and talents you possess that make you good at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of standard interview questions, so you need to organize some strategies about how you want to address them. Considering there are numerous variables that go into selecting a career, you can answer this primary question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the work appeals to you as well as the strengths you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomist and the perfiect candidate for the job. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but jot down a few ideas and topics that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample responses can assist you to prepare your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to impress the recruiter.

Enroll in the Best Phlebotomy Course near West Middlesex PA

Making sure that you pick the most suitable phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior school. Phlebotomy training programs are offered in a wide range of educational institutions, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program options may differ a bit across the country as each state has its own criteria when it pertains to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must diligently screen and compare each program prior to making your ultimate selection. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the best college for you. And with the proper education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in West Middlesex PA.

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