Selecting a Phlebotomist Training Program near Westfield Pennsylvania

Enrolling in the right phlebotomist school near Westfield PA is an important first step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting undertaking to assess and compare all of the school options that are accessible to you. However it’s important that you perform your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a quality education. In reality, most students start the process by considering 2 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 local campus. We’ll review more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and need to be part of your selection 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 choose the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomist Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their main task, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the tools being utilized are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample has to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork has to be accurately filled out 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. Some Westfield PA phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are accountable for making certain that samples are analyzed correctly under the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they may be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The most basic answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are numerous and varied, including Westfield PA medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a certain kind of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting 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 every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially 2 types of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Westfield PA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to complete and provides a general education as well as 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, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they usually take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program provide a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, a number of employers require certification before hiring technicians. A few of the main certifying organizations 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 phlebotomist, such as Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a premium education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Schools

To begin with, let’s resolve one possible mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A good component of the course of study will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Westfield PA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-clinical part of the training may be attended online, it might be a more convenient option for many students. As an additional benefit, some online colleges are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some expenses, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy program you enroll in 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 quality education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the right option for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Now that you 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 selected the type 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 phlebotomy school. All of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for picking a program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Following are some questions that you need to ask about each of the Westfield PA schools you are considering prior to making your ultimate decision.

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 a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you choose 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 aside from an assurance of a superior education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are often unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Westfield PA. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with 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 assistance program. You can research online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even talk to a few Westfield PA local hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and find out if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can check with the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Ample 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 Westfield 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 may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask the Pennsylvania schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with area medical facilities. They are the optimal means to get hands-on clinical training frequently not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Westfield PA health care community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Getting your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Westfield PA medical community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s critical to confirm that the ultimate program you select provides classes at times that are compatible with your active schedule. This is particularly true if you choose to still work while attending school. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Westfield PA, make certain they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option also. And 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 procedure is should you need to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Choose to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's helpful to reflect on questions you could be asked. One of the questions that interviewers typically ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What made you decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not only the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what attributes and skills you have that make you exceptional at your profession. You will probably be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of routine interview questions, so you should ready some strategies about how you want to address them. Considering there are so many variables that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you in addition to the strengths you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Technician and the perfiect choice for the position. Don't try to memorize an answer, but take down some concepts and talking points that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample answers can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Enroll in the Right Phlebotomy School near Westfield PA

Making certain that you choose the right phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomy training programs can be found in a number of educational institutions, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive range of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program options can differ somewhat from state to state as every state has its own requirements when it comes to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must carefully screen and compare each school before making your ultimate decision. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the right college for you. And with the appropriate training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Westfield PA.

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