Selecting a Phlebotomist School near Biglerville Pennsylvania

Selecting the right phlebotomy technician training near Biglerville PA is an essential first step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting undertaking to evaluate and compare each of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. However it’s vital that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you receive a superior education. In fact, a large number of potential students start their search by considering 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 local campus. We’ll talk more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and must be part of your selection process too. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you select the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomy Technician Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their principal task, there is actually much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the instruments being utilized are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be correctly filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory screening procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some Biglerville PA phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are accountable for making sure that samples are tested properly utilizing the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they might be asked to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The quickest response is wherever patients are treated. Their workplaces are numerous and diverse, including Biglerville PA hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a specific type of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients every day.

Phlebotomist Training, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily 2 types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Biglerville PA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to complete and furnishes a general education together with 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 specifically a phlebotomist degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they typically require 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program furnish a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not mandated in most states, many employers look for certification prior to employing technicians. Some of the key certifying agencies 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 call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, such as Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only furnishes a quality education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Schools

To start with, let’s dispel one potential mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant portion of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Biglerville 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. However since the non-practical part of the training can be attended online, it could be a more practical alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, a number of online schools are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some expenditures, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a superior education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the right option for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Since you now have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Pennsylvania school is significant as well as the cost of tuition. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy school. All of these decisions are a critical part of the process for picking a program or school. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Following are some questions that you need to ask about each of the Biglerville PA schools you are looking at prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Pennsylvania? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states require certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomist 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 be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you select should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits 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 qualify to take a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Biglerville PA. Last, graduating 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 minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, 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 schools you are looking at. 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 reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even talk to a few Biglerville PA area hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and see if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Provided? To begin with, contact 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 classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Biglerville PA phlebotomist program that you are considering should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Ask the Pennsylvania colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with local medical facilities. They are the ideal means to get hands-on practical training often not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Biglerville PA health care community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Getting your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school 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 an extensive network of professional contacts within the Biglerville PA health care community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to verify that the final college you pick offers classes at times that will accommodate your busy schedule. This is particularly important if you opt to still work while attending college. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Biglerville PA, make certain they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option also. And if you have decided to study 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 have to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's a good idea to review questions you might be asked. Among the things that interviewers frequently ask Phlebotomist prospects is "What compelled you to choose Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not just the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what attributes and skills you possess that make you good at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of standard interview questions, so you should ready a number of strategies about how you would like to answer them. Considering there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession appeals to you in addition to the talents you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Tech and the leading choice for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but take down a few concepts and anecdotes that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Going over sample answers can assist you to formulate your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the interviewer.

Choose the Best Phlebotomy Course near Biglerville PA

Making certain that you enroll in the most suitable phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are available in a wide range of educational institutes, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive assortment of courses in medical care and health sciences. Course options can vary slightly from state to state as every state has its own requirements when it pertains to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to thoroughly research and compare each program before making your final selection. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the ideal college for you. And with the appropriate training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Biglerville PA.

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