Selecting a Phlebotomy Course near Whitney Pennsylvania

Enrolling in the right phlebotomist training near Whitney PA is a critical initial step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting task to analyze and compare all of the school alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you do your due diligence to make sure that you receive a superior education. In fact, a large number of potential students start the process by considering 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 online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll discuss more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and should be part of your selection process as well. 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 best one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomy Technician Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their main task, there is actually so much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the tools being employed are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork must be properly filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some Whitney PA phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are accountable for making certain that samples are analyzed properly utilizing the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they may be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The most basic answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are numerous and varied, such as Whitney PA medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing blood from a specific type of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Education, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially two types of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Whitney PA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to complete and furnishes a basic education together with 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 include training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they typically take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program provide a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will probably want to get certified. While not required in most states, a number of employers look for certification prior to employing technicians. Some of the key 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 phlebotomy tech, including California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a premium education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Training

First, let’s dispel one potential misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant portion of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Whitney PA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-clinical component of the training may be accessed online, it may be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an added benefit, some online programs are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some expenses, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (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 study at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online may be the right choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Now that you have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already decided on the kind of program you wish 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 tuition expense. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online program. All of these decisions are a critical part of the process for selecting a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you need to ask about all of the Whitney PA programs you are considering prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As earlier discussed, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be working and readies you for any examinations you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you choose should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a premium education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges in Whitney PA. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to check the reputations of any colleges you are considering. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even check with several Whitney PA area hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and find out if they can offer any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Adequate 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. As a minimum, any Whitney PA phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Find out from the Pennsylvania colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with local healthcare facilities. They are the ideal means to get hands-on practical training often not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Whitney PA medical community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Available? Getting your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Ask if the programs you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Whitney PA medical community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s critical to make sure that the final college you choose provides classes at times that are compatible with your hectic lifestyle. This is particularly true if you opt to continue working while attending college. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Whitney PA, make sure they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option also. And 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 procedure is should you have to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's a good idea to consider questions you could be asked. One of the things that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What drove you to select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not just the private reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what characteristics and talents you have that make you exceptional at what you do. You will likely be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of routine interview questions, so you should ready a number of strategies about how you would like to address them. Considering there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this primary question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work appeals to you as well as the talents you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Technician and the leading candidate for the position. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but write down several concepts and talking points that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Going over sample answers can help you to formulate your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.

Select the Ideal Phlebotomist Program near Whitney PA

Making sure that you choose the most suitable phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare field. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are found in a number of academic institutes, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive array of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program options can differ a bit across the country as every state has its own prerequisites when it concerns phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must carefully evaluate and compare each school before making your ultimate choice. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the right college for you. And with the proper education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Whitney PA.

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