Choosing a Phlebotomist School near Atglen Pennsylvania

Selecting the ideal phlebotomy school near Atglen PA is an important initial step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult task to investigate and compare all of the school options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a quality education. In fact, many students start the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional option you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll review more about online schools later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and need to be part of your decision process too. To assist in that effort, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you select the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomy Tech Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their principal task, there is in fact much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must check that the tools being utilized are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample has to be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork needs to be accurately completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory testing process. 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. A number of Atglen PA phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are accountable for ensuring that samples are tested correctly under the strictest 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 Phlebotomists Practice?

The most basic answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are numerous and diverse, such as Atglen PA medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be charged to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a specific kind of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be drawing blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Education, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially 2 kinds of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Atglen PA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to complete and furnishes a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they normally take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program furnish a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. Although not required in the majority of states, many employers require certification before hiring 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 a few states that do require 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 select a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a premium education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Classes

First, let’s dispel 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 conducted either in an approved Atglen 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-clinical part of the training can be accessed online, it could be a more practical option for some students. As an additional benefit, some online schools are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some expenses, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered as well. 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 comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a premium education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the best choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Now that you have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already selected the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Pennsylvania college is significant in addition to the cost of tuition. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomy online school. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for selecting a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are a few questions that you should ask about each of the Atglen PA programs you are reviewing before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed before 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 phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a superior education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited schools in Atglen PA. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to investigate the reputations of all colleges you are reviewing. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even talk to a few Atglen PA area hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and ask if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can check with the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Included? To begin with, contact the Pennsylvania regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Atglen PA phlebotomy program that you are looking at should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internships Provided? Ask the Pennsylvania schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with local healthcare facilities. They are the optimal way to obtain hands-on practical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Atglen PA medical community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Getting your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the programs you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a higher rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Atglen PA health care community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s crucial to make sure that the final program you choose provides classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is particularly important if you opt to continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Atglen 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 attend online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is in case you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's helpful to reflect on questions you might be asked. One of the questions that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What made you pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not just the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what characteristics and abilities you have that make you exceptional at what you do. You will likely be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of typical interview questions, so you must organize some strategies about how you would like to address them. Considering there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work appeals to you as well as the strengths you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomist and the best candidate for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but jot down several ideas and topics that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Reading through sample answers can assist you to formulate your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.

Find the Right Phlebotomist College near Atglen PA

Making sure that you enroll in the right phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare field. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be found in a number of educational institutes, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Course options may vary a bit across the country as every state has its own requirements when it concerns phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to diligently research and compare each program before making your ultimate decision. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the right college for you. And with the appropriate education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Atglen PA.

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