Picking a Phlebotomy Course near Wyncote Pennsylvania

Selecting the right phlebotomy school near Wyncote PA is a critical initial step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting task to assess and compare all of the school options that are accessible to you. However it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to make sure that you get a quality education. In fact, a large number of students begin the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another option you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll talk 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 locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and must be part of your selection process too. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you pick the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomy Tech Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their primary duty, there is in fact far more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork needs to be accurately completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory screening process. The phlebotomist then delivers 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. Many Wyncote PA phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are in charge of making certain that samples are analyzed properly under the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they might be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The quickest response is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are numerous and diverse, including Wyncote PA hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be charged to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a specific kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be collecting blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Training, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially 2 types of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Wyncote PA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to finish and offers a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they normally take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program offer a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. Although not mandated in most states, many employers look for certification before hiring technicians. Some of the primary 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 in order to practice as a phlebotomist, such as California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a superior education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Certificates and Degrees

First, let’s resolve one possible mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A good portion of the course of study will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Wyncote PA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-practical part of the training can be attended online, it can be a more convenient alternative for many students. As an added benefit, many online colleges are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some expenditures, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomist college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a superior education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the right choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Since you now 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 kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Pennsylvania campus is important as well as the cost of tuition. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online program. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for choosing a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you should ask about each of the Wyncote PA colleges you are looking at before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Pennsylvania? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be working and readies you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you choose should be accredited by a respected 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 program in addition to a guarantee of a premium education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited programs in Wyncote PA. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate the reputations of any colleges you are considering. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also check with some Wyncote PA area hospitals or clinics that you might be interested 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 filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? First, check with the Pennsylvania regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Wyncote PA phlebotomy program that you are considering should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums might indicate that the program is not expansive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internships Provided? Find out from the Pennsylvania programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with area healthcare facilities. They are the ideal way to receive hands-on practical training typically not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Wyncote PA healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Getting your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Wyncote PA healthcare community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s crucial to make sure that the ultimate college you pick provides classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is especially true if you decide to still work while attending college. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Wyncote PA, make certain 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 clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is should you need to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you could be asked. Among the things that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomy Technician prospects is "What drove you to decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not merely the private reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what qualities and abilities you possess that make you outstanding at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of routine interview questions, so you need to ready a number of approaches about how you would like to address them. Considering there are numerous variables that go into selecting a career, you can answer this primary question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the profession appeals to you as well as the abilities you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomist and the perfiect candidate for the job. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but take down some concepts and talking points that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample answers can assist you to prepare your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.

Choose the Right Phlebotomist Course near Wyncote PA

Making certain that you choose the right phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this rewarding health care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be found in a variety of academic institutions, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Course offerings may differ slightly from state to state as every state has its own criteria when it comes to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to carefully research and compare each program prior to making your ultimate decision. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the best college for you. And with the proper education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Wyncote PA.

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