Picking a Phlebotomy Technician School near Adamsburg Pennsylvania

Selecting the right phlebotomy technician school near Adamsburg PA is an essential initial step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult task to investigate and compare all of the training alternatives that are accessible to you. However it’s vital that you perform your due diligence to make sure that you get a quality education. In reality, most students start their search by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional option you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and should be part of your selection 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 evaluating to help you pick the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their primary duty, there is actually far more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the instruments being utilized are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork has to be properly completed to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory testing process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Adamsburg PA phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are accountable for ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly under the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they may be asked to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The most basic response is wherever patients are treated. Their workplaces are many and varied, including Adamsburg PA hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a certain type of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be drawing blood from senior 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 collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Licensing and Certification

There are basically two kinds of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Adamsburg PA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to complete and offers a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will include training to become a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they normally require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program furnish a more expansive background in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, a number of employers require certification before employing technicians. Some of the main 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 in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, such as California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only furnishes a quality education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Schools

To begin with, let’s dispel one possible misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant part of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Adamsburg 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 in order to graduate. But since the non-practical portion of the training can be accessed online, it may be a more practical alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, a number of online programs are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some expenditures, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a quality education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the ideal option for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Since you now have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Pennsylvania campus is relevant in addition to the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomy online college. All of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for picking a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Following are a few questions that you should ask about each of the Adamsburg PA programs you are reviewing prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for any examinations you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you pick should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a premium education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited colleges in Adamsburg PA. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In numerous states there is minimal 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 check the reputations of any schools you are looking at. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their students as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also contact a few Adamsburg PA local hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and see if they can provide any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Adequate Training Included? 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 classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Adamsburg PA phlebotomist program that you are looking at should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out from the Pennsylvania schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with area health care facilities. They are the ideal means to get hands-on practical training often not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Adamsburg PA medical community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Offered? Getting your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Adamsburg PA medical community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to verify that the final school you pick provides classes at times that will accommodate your active lifestyle. This is especially important if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near Adamsburg PA, check that they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option also. And if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is should you have to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's important to reflect on questions you could be asked. One of the questions that hiring managers frequently ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What compelled you to select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not only the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what attributes and talents you possess that make you good at what you do. You will likely be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of typical interview questions, so you need to ready a number of ideas about how you want to respond to them. Because there are numerous factors that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you along with the abilities you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the best candidate for the position. Don't try to memorize an answer, but jot down some ideas and anecdotes that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can assist you to develop your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.

Choose the Right Phlebotomy School near Adamsburg PA

Making certain that you choose the most suitable phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling healthcare career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomist training programs are offered in a variety of educational institutes, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive range of programs in medical care and health sciences. Training program options can differ a bit from state to state 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 research and compare each school before making your final choice. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the best program for you. And with the proper education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Adamsburg PA.

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