Picking a Phlebotomy Training Program near Bendersville Pennsylvania

Selecting the right phlebotomy training near Bendersville PA is a critical initial step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging task to assess and compare each of the school options that are available to you. However it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to make certain that you receive a quality education. In reality, most potential students begin their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another factor you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is much 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. 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 before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomy Tech Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their main responsibility, there is actually much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to confirm that the tools being employed are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork has to be correctly filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers 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. Many Bendersville PA phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are in charge of ensuring that samples are tested properly using the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they may be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The quickest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their workplaces are numerous and varied, such as Bendersville PA hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be charged to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a specific type of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily 2 types of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Bendersville PA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to finish and furnishes a general education as well as 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 exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they usually require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program offer a more extensive background in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will probably want to be certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, many employers require certification before employing technicians. Some 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 call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, like Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a quality education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Certificates and Degrees

To start with, let’s resolve one possible misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial portion of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Bendersville PA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-clinical portion of the training can be attended online, it could be a more practical option for some students. As an additional benefit, many online classes are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some expenses, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy program you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the ideal option for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Now that you 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 selected the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Pennsylvania school is significant in addition to the tuition expense. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist school. All of these decisions are an important component of the process for selecting a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you need to ask about each of the Bendersville PA programs you are considering prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for all exams you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a premium education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are frequently not available for non-accredited programs in Bendersville PA. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to check the reputations of all schools you are considering. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even contact a few Bendersville PA area clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Adequate 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 classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Bendersville PA phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums might signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask the Pennsylvania schools you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with area healthcare facilities. They are the ideal means to obtain hands-on practical training typically not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Bendersville PA medical community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Getting your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the support 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 higher rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Bendersville PA healthcare community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s crucial to make sure that the final college you select provides classes at times that will accommodate your active lifestyle. This is particularly true if you decide to still work while attending school. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Bendersville PA, check that they are offered 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 sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is should you have to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's a good idea to review questions you may be asked. Among the things that recruiters often ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What compelled you to select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not merely the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what attributes and talents you possess that make you outstanding at your profession. You will probably be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of general interview questions, so you need to organize some strategies about how you want to respond to them. Considering there are several variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession appeals to you in addition to the strengths you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the leading candidate for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but jot down some ideas and topics that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can assist you to formulate your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.

Find the Right Phlebotomy School near Bendersville PA

Making sure that you choose the right phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be available in a variety of educational institutions, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive assortment of courses in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings may vary a bit across the country as every state has its own prerequisites when it pertains to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must thoroughly research and compare each college before making your final selection. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the best college for you. And with the proper training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Bendersville PA.

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