Choosing a Phlebotomist School near Williamsport Pennsylvania

Selecting the right phlebotomist school near Williamsport PA is an important first step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting undertaking to evaluate and compare each of the training options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to ensure that you get a quality education. In reality, most potential students start their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another option you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online schools 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 including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and should be part of your selection process as well. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you choose the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their principal task, there is actually so much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to confirm that the tools being utilized are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork has to be properly filled out to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers 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 Williamsport PA phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are in charge of making certain that samples are analyzed properly using the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they can be asked to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The quickest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are numerous and diverse, including Williamsport PA medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a certain type of patient. For instance, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from new patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Licensing and Certification

There are basically two types of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Williamsport PA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to complete and furnishes a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they normally require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program offer a more extensive background in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will probably want to get certified. Although not required in the majority of states, a number of employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. A few 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 in order to practice as a phlebotomist, like Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a superior education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Training

First, let’s resolve one possible misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial part of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Williamsport 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 prior to graduation. However since the non-clinical component of the training may be attended online, it might be a more convenient alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, some online programs are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some expenditures, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomy school you select 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 premium education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online might be the right option for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Since you now have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Pennsylvania college is important in addition to the cost of tuition. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy college. All of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for choosing a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are some questions that you need to ask about all of the Williamsport PA colleges you are considering prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be working and preps you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you select should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited school in addition to a guarantee of a premium education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited schools in Williamsport PA. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to check the reputations of any schools you are looking at. 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 rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also talk to a few Williamsport PA area hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and find out if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Provided? To begin with, check with the Pennsylvania regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Williamsport PA phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internships Included? Find out from the Pennsylvania schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with regional health care facilities. They are the ideal way to get hands-on practical training often not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Williamsport PA healthcare community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Getting your first phlebotomist job 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 rate is. If a school has a higher rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Williamsport PA healthcare community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s important to confirm that the ultimate program you pick offers classes at times that are compatible with your busy lifestyle. This is particularly true if you decide to still work while attending school. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Williamsport PA, make sure they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is should you need to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's helpful to reflect on questions you might be asked. Among the things that interviewers typically ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What made you select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not just the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what qualities and talents you have that make you good at your profession. You will probably be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of general interview questions, so you must organize a number of approaches about how you want to answer them. Since there are several variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession appeals to you as well as the strengths you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomist and the leading choice for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but take down a few ideas and anecdotes that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can assist you to prepare your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the interviewer.

Choose the Best Phlebotomy Program near Williamsport PA

Making certain that you choose the right phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are offered in a variety of academic institutions, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide assortment of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program offerings can vary slightly across the country as each state has its own prerequisites when it pertains to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must diligently evaluate and compare each program before making your ultimate choice. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the ideal college for you. And with the appropriate education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Williamsport PA.

Learn About Williamsport Pennsylvania

 

 

More Interesting Pennsylvania Cities

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Seven Valleys PA 17360

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Confluence PA 15424

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Mc Connellsburg PA 17233

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Frederick PA 19435

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Horsham PA 19044

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Wynnewood PA 19096

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Elkland PA 16920

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Bartonsville PA 18321

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Albion PA 16401

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Annville PA 17003