Choosing a Phlebotomist Training Program near Wrightsville Pennsylvania

Picking the ideal phlebotomist training near Wrightsville PA is an essential first step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting task to evaluate and compare each of the training options that are available to you. However it’s important that you perform your due diligence to make sure that you get a superior education. In reality, most prospective students start their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another factor you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and should be part of your decision process also. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you select the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomist Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their primary responsibility, there is in fact much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the instruments being employed are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork needs to be accurately filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory testing 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 infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Wrightsville PA phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are responsible for ensuring that samples are tested correctly under the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they may be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The most basic answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are many and varied, such as Wrightsville PA medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be charged to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of 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 drawing blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily two types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Wrightsville PA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to complete and offers a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they normally take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible 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 get certified. Although not required in most states, most employers require certification prior to employing technicians. Some 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 several states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, including California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a premium education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Training

To start with, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant part of the course of study will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Wrightsville 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. However since the non-practical part of the training can be attended online, it may be a more convenient alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, some online classes are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a superior education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Now that you have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already chosen 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 relevant in addition to the cost of tuition. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy college. All of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for picking a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you need to ask about each of the Wrightsville PA colleges you are looking at before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Pennsylvania? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you pick should be accredited by a recognized national or regional accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a superior education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are often unavailable for non-accredited schools in Wrightsville PA. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate the reputations of any colleges you are considering. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also contact some Wrightsville PA local clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and see if they can offer any insights. As a final thought, you can check with the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? To begin with, 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 clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Wrightsville PA phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Find out from the Pennsylvania schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with local healthcare facilities. They are the optimal means to get hands-on practical training typically not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Wrightsville PA health care community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Available? Finding your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the programs you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Wrightsville PA healthcare community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? Finally, it’s crucial to verify that the ultimate program you pick offers classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is particularly true if you choose to continue working while going to school. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Wrightsville PA, check that they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option also. And if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is in case you need to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's a good idea to consider questions you might be asked. One of the things that recruiters often ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What drove you to choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not merely the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what characteristics and abilities you have that make you good at what you do. You will likely be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of standard interview questions, so you need to organize several strategies about how you would like to respond to them. Because there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the profession interests you in addition to the abilities you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Tech and the best choice for the position. Don't try to memorize an answer, but write down some concepts and topics that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Reading through sample responses can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.

Enroll in the Right Phlebotomy Course near Wrightsville PA

Making sure that you pick the right phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying health care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior college. Phlebotomy training programs are offered in a variety of academic institutes, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive array of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Course offerings may differ a bit from state to state as each state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to carefully screen and compare each school prior to making your ultimate choice. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the ideal school for you. And with the proper training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Wrightsville PA.

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