Choosing a Phlebotomy Training Program near South Canaan Pennsylvania

Selecting the right phlebotomist school near South Canaan PA is an essential first step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult task to investigate and compare all of the school options that are available to you. However it’s vital that you perform your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a quality education. In reality, most prospective students begin the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another option you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll review a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and should be part of your selection process also. 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 right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomy Technician Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their main duty, there is actually so much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the instruments being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be properly completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some South Canaan PA phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are in charge of ensuring that samples are tested properly utilizing the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they might be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The easiest response is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are many and varied, such as South Canaan PA hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a certain type of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Training, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily two types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in South Canaan PA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to complete and offers a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they usually require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program offer a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, most employers look for certification before employing technicians. A few 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 require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, like California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a quality education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Schools

To begin with, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial portion of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved South Canaan PA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-practical component of the training may be accessed online, it may be a more practical option for many students. As an additional benefit, many online programs are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenses, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist school you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a premium education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the best option for you.

Topics 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 selected the type 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 significant in addition to the tuition expense. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy college. All of these decisions are a critical component of the process for choosing a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you should ask about each of the South Canaan PA programs you are considering before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Pennsylvania? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed before working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be working and preps you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you choose should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a superior education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges in South Canaan PA. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to check out the reputations of any colleges you are reviewing. You can begin 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 rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even talk to a few South Canaan PA local clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Provided? First, contact the Pennsylvania regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any South Canaan PA phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internships Included? Find out from the Pennsylvania programs you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with regional medical facilities. They are the optimal way to obtain hands-on practical training often not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local South Canaan PA healthcare community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Landing your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the South Canaan PA medical community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s important to confirm that the ultimate school you choose offers classes at times that are compatible with your busy lifestyle. This is particularly important if you decide to still work while going to school. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near South Canaan PA, make sure they are available 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 study online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is in case you have to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's important to consider questions you may be asked. Among the things that hiring managers often ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What compelled you to select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not only the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what characteristics and talents you possess that make you exceptional at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of standard interview questions, so you must prepare a number of ideas about how you would like to address them. Considering there are several variables that go into selecting a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the work appeals to you along with the strengths you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the best choice for the position. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but write down a few concepts and anecdotes that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reading through sample answers can help you to formulate your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Find the Ideal Phlebotomist Course near South Canaan PA

Making certain that you enroll in the most suitable phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying health care field. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomy training programs are found in a wide range of academic institutes, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide assortment of programs in medical care and health sciences. Training program offerings can vary slightly across the country as every state has its own prerequisites when it pertains to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to carefully screen and compare each school before making your final choice. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the right program for you. And with the appropriate education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in South Canaan PA.

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