Choosing a Phlebotomy School near Blue Bell Pennsylvania

Choosing the right phlebotomy school near Blue Bell PA is an important first step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging undertaking to analyze and compare all of the training options that are accessible to you. However it’s vital that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a superior education. In reality, a large number of students start the process by considering two of the qualifiers that initially 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 you need to keep in mind is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors including reputation and accreditation 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 need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you select the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomist Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their principal function, there is actually so much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be correctly completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab testing process. The phlebotomist then transports 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. Many Blue Bell PA phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are in charge of ensuring that samples are tested properly under the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they may be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The most basic answer is wherever they treat patients. Their workplaces are numerous and varied, including Blue Bell PA hospitals, medical clinics, 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. Some phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a certain kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be collecting blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Education, Licensing and Certification

There are basically two types of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Blue Bell PA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to finish and furnishes a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they usually require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program furnish a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will probably want to get certified. Although not required in the majority of states, a number of employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. A few of the main certifying organizations 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 prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, like California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a quality education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Certificates and Degrees

To begin with, let’s resolve one likely misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A good portion of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Blue Bell PA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-practical part of the training can be accessed online, it may be a more convenient option for many students. As an added benefit, some online colleges are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some expenses, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a quality education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the ideal option for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Now that you have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Pennsylvania campus is relevant as well as the tuition expense. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy program. All of these decisions are an important component of the process for picking a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you should ask about each of the Blue Bell PA schools you are looking at before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very 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 any examinations you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you choose should be accredited by a recognized national or regional accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a premium education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are often not available for non-accredited programs in Blue Bell PA. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist 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 all colleges you are considering. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also contact several Blue Bell PA area clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and see if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Ample Training Provided? 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 amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Blue Bell PA phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Ask the Pennsylvania schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with regional health care facilities. They are the ideal way to obtain hands-on practical training often not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Blue Bell PA healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Finding your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the help 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 school has both an excellent reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Blue Bell PA health care community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s critical to make sure that the final school you pick provides classes at times that will accommodate your hectic lifestyle. This is especially important if you decide to still work while attending college. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Blue Bell PA, check that they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is in case you have to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's advantageous to reflect on questions you might be asked. Among the things that hiring managers often ask Phlebotomist applicants is "What drove you to pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not just the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what attributes and abilities you have that make you exceptional at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of typical interview questions, so you should organize several strategies about how you would like to address them. Considering there are numerous factors that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this primary question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you as well as the abilities you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the leading choice for the position. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but write down several ideas and anecdotes that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can assist you to formulate your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to wow the interviewer.

Select the Ideal Phlebotomy College near Blue Bell PA

Making sure that you choose the most suitable phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this fulfilling healthcare field. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomist training programs can be available in a number of academic institutions, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Training program offerings can vary a bit across the country as each state has its own mandates when it concerns phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to carefully evaluate and compare each school prior to 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 ideal college for you. And with the appropriate education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Blue Bell PA.

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