Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician School near Wexford Pennsylvania

Selecting the ideal phlebotomy technician training near Wexford PA is a critical first step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging task to evaluate and compare each of the school options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you get a superior education. In fact, many prospective students begin the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Another factor you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk more about online classes later in this article. What you need 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 important considerations and should be part of your selection process also. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you select the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomy Technician Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their main responsibility, 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 used are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample has to be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork must be correctly filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab testing procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Wexford PA phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are in charge of making certain that samples are tested correctly using the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they may be required to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The quickest answer is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are many and diverse, including Wexford PA medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a particular type of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only 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 setting would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients each day.

Phlebotomy Training, Certification and Licensing

There are basically two kinds of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Wexford PA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to finish and provides a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they typically take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program provide a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. While not mandated in most states, a number of employers require 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 some states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, including Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a superior education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Colleges

To begin with, let’s resolve one possible mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant part of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Wexford 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-practical portion of the training may be attended online, it could be a more convenient option for many students. As an additional benefit, some online colleges are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some costs, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a premium education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the ideal option for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Since you now have a basic understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already picked the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Pennsylvania college is significant as well as the cost of tuition. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomy online college. Each of these decisions are an important component of the process for selecting a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you need to ask about each of the Wexford PA schools you are considering prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Pennsylvania? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomist program that satisfies 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 School Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you select should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited school in addition to a guarantee of a superior education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam administered 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 programs in Wexford PA. Finally, 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 Program’s Reputation? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate the reputations of any colleges you are considering. 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 screen internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even check with some Wexford PA local clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and find out if they can provide any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Adequate Training Included? To begin with, check with the Pennsylvania regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Wexford PA phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Find out from the Pennsylvania schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with local health care facilities. They are the ideal means to get hands-on clinical training often not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Wexford PA health care community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Getting your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Find out if the colleges you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Wexford PA medical community.

Are Class Times Available as Needed? Finally, it’s critical to make sure that the ultimate school you pick offers classes at times that are compatible with your busy lifestyle. This is especially true if you choose to still work while attending school. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Wexford PA, make certain they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option as well. 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 illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you may be asked. One of the things that interviewers often ask Phlebotomy Tech prospects is "What made you select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not only the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what characteristics and talents you possess that make you good at your profession. You will probably be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of general interview questions, so you must prepare several approaches about how you want to address them. Since there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the abilities you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the perfiect choice for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but write down several concepts and talking points that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can assist you to develop your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to include to impress the recruiter.

Find the Right Phlebotomist Course near Wexford PA

Making sure that you enroll in the most suitable phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are available in a wide range of educational institutes, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Training program offerings may differ a bit across the country as each state has its own mandates when it pertains to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to thoroughly evaluate and compare each school before making your final decision. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the ideal college for you. And with the proper education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Wexford PA.

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