Choosing a Phlebotomy Training Program near Belle Vernon Pennsylvania

Selecting the ideal phlebotomy technician training near Belle Vernon PA is an essential initial step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting task to analyze and compare all of the training alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you perform your due diligence to make sure that you receive a superior education. In fact, many students start their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Another option you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk a bit 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 closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and must be part of your decision process too. To assist in that effort, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you pick the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their main function, there is actually so much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the instruments being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork needs to be accurately completed to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab testing procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Belle Vernon PA phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are in charge of ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly under the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they may be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The easiest response is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are many and varied, such as Belle Vernon PA medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a certain kind of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially two kinds of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Belle Vernon PA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to complete and provides a general education together with 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 phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they normally require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program offer a more extensive background in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not required in most states, many 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 some states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, including California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a superior education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Colleges

To begin with, let’s resolve one likely misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant part of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Belle Vernon PA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical component of the training may be attended online, it can be a more convenient option for some students. As an additional benefit, a number of online schools are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some expenses, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomist school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a superior education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the best choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Since you now have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already selected the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Pennsylvania campus is relevant as well as the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomist online program. All of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for choosing a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you should ask about each of the Belle Vernon PA programs you are considering prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed before working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be working and preps you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you choose should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited school in addition to a guarantee 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 organizations. Next, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited programs in Belle Vernon PA. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of all 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 ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also check with several Belle Vernon PA area hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and find out if they can offer any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Provided? To begin with, contact the Pennsylvania regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Belle Vernon PA phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask the Pennsylvania colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with regional health care facilities. They are the optimal way to obtain hands-on clinical training often not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Belle Vernon PA healthcare community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Getting your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Belle Vernon PA medical community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s critical to verify that the final program you pick provides classes at times that are compatible with your hectic schedule. This is particularly important if you decide to continue working while going to college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Belle Vernon PA, make sure they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option as well. And if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is should you have to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomist?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's important to review questions you may be asked. Among the questions that interviewers frequently ask Phlebotomy Tech candidates is "What compelled you to choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not merely the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what attributes and skills you possess that make you good at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of general interview questions, so you should organize a number of ideas about how you would like to respond to them. Considering there are numerous factors that go into selecting a career, you can answer this primary question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the abilities you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Technician and the best candidate for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but take down several ideas and topics that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Going over sample answers can help you to develop your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to wow the interviewer.

Find the Ideal Phlebotomist School near Belle Vernon PA

Making certain that you select the ideal phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are offered in a wide range of educational institutes, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide array of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Course options may differ a bit across the country as every state has its own mandates when it concerns phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to carefully research and compare each program prior to making your final decision. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the ideal program for you. And with the appropriate education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Belle Vernon PA.

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