Selecting a Phlebotomy Course near Red Lion Pennsylvania

Selecting the ideal phlebotomy technician training near Red Lion PA is an essential first step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging undertaking to evaluate and compare each of the training options that are accessible to you. However it’s important that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a superior education. In reality, a large number of students begin their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Another option you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss more about online schools later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your selection process also. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you choose the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomy Technician Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their primary task, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the instruments being utilized are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork needs to be properly completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening procedure. The phlebotomist then transports 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. Some Red Lion PA phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are in charge of making certain that samples are analyzed correctly using the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they can be asked to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The simplest response is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are numerous and varied, such as Red Lion PA medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a certain type of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be drawing blood from elderly 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 collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients each day.

Phlebotomy Education, Licensing and Certification

There are basically two kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Red Lion PA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to finish and provides a basic education together with 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, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they normally take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program offer a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will probably want to become certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, a number of employers look for certification prior to employing technicians. A few 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 some states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, including California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a premium education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Colleges

First, let’s resolve one likely misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial portion of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Red Lion PA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical component of the training may be accessed online, it can be a more practical option for some students. As an additional benefit, some online colleges are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some costs, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the ideal option for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Since you now have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already selected the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Pennsylvania campus is important as well as the cost of tuition. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online program. Each of these decisions are an important component of the process for selecting a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Following are a few questions that you need to ask about each of the Red Lion PA schools you are reviewing prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomist 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 have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you choose should be accredited by a recognized national or regional accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a superior education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are typically not available for non-accredited colleges in Red Lion PA. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to investigate the reputations of all schools you are reviewing. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even check with some Red Lion PA area 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 contact the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Provided? First, 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 classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Red Lion PA phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums might signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Ask the Pennsylvania schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with local healthcare facilities. They are the optimal means to obtain hands-on clinical training typically not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local Red Lion PA healthcare community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Getting your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Red Lion PA medical community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s important to make sure that the ultimate college you choose provides classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is especially true if you opt to still work while attending college. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Red Lion PA, check that they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is in case you need to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's advantageous to reflect on questions you might be asked. One of the things that hiring managers often ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What drove you to decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not just the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what characteristics and talents you have that make you outstanding at what you do. You will likely be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of standard interview questions, so you should prepare several ideas about how you want to address them. Considering there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can answer this primary question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the profession interests you as well as the strengths you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the leading candidate for the position. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but write down several concepts and topics that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Reading through sample responses can assist you to prepare your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to wow the interviewer.

Select the Best Phlebotomy College near Red Lion PA

Making sure that you enroll in the most suitable phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this fulfilling healthcare field. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be found in a variety of academic institutions, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide range of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program offerings can differ slightly across the country as each state has its own requirements when it pertains to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must diligently evaluate and compare each school prior to making your ultimate choice. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the right school for you. And with the proper education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Red Lion PA.

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