Picking a Phlebotomist Course near Jessup Pennsylvania

Selecting the ideal phlebotomy training near Jessup PA is an important first step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting task to analyze and compare each of the school options that are accessible to you. However it’s vital that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you receive a quality education. In fact, most prospective students begin their search by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Another option you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll review a bit more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and must be part of your decision process also. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you choose the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their principal responsibility, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the instruments being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork needs to be properly filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory screening procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Jessup PA phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are accountable for making sure that samples are analyzed properly utilizing the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they may be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The easiest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are many and varied, such as Jessup PA medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a particular kind of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be drawing blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients every day.

Phlebotomist Education, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily two kinds of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Jessup PA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to complete and provides a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they normally require 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program furnish a more expansive background in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will probably want to get certified. While not required in most states, many employers require certification prior to hiring technicians. Some of the principal certifying organizations include:

• National Phlebotomy Association
• National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
• American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
• American Medical Technologists (AMT)

There are a few states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, such as California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a premium education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Classes

First, let’s dispel one possible mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant part of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Jessup PA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-practical part of the training may be attended online, it may be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, many online classes are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenditures, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist school you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the right choice for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Now that you have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin 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 school is significant as well as the tuition expense. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist school. All of these decisions are a critical part of the process for choosing a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Following are several questions that you need to ask about all of the Jessup PA programs you are reviewing prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you select should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages 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 sit for a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are frequently not available for non-accredited programs in Jessup PA. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of all schools you are looking at. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even talk to several Jessup PA area hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and see if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Ample Training Provided? To begin with, contact the Pennsylvania regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Jessup PA phlebotomy program that you are considering should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Find out from the Pennsylvania schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with local healthcare facilities. They are the ideal way to receive hands-on clinical training frequently not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Jessup PA health care community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Landing your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Find out if the colleges you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Jessup PA medical community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s crucial to verify that the final school you choose offers classes at times that are compatible with your busy schedule. This is particularly important if you choose to still work while going to college. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Jessup PA, check that they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is should you need to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's advantageous to review questions you could be asked. One of the questions that interviewers frequently ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What compelled you to pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not merely the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but additionally what characteristics and skills you have that make you outstanding at what you do. You will likely be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of standard interview questions, so you need to prepare several strategies about how you would like to address them. Given that there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work appeals to you in addition to the talents you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Tech and the ideal candidate for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but take down a few concepts and anecdotes that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample responses can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to impress the recruiter.

Enroll in the Right Phlebotomy Course near Jessup PA

Making sure that you enroll in the right phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this rewarding healthcare career position. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are available in a number of educational institutes, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive assortment of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings can differ slightly across the country as each state has its own mandates when it pertains to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must thoroughly evaluate and compare each program before making your ultimate choice. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the right school for you. And with the proper education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Jessup PA.

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