Picking a Phlebotomy Course near Burgettstown Pennsylvania

Choosing the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Burgettstown PA is an important first step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult task to investigate and compare all of the school options that are available to you. However it’s important that you do your due diligence to make sure that you get a quality education. In reality, most prospective students start the process by considering 2 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 discuss more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and should be part of your selection 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 evaluating to help you select the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomist Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their principal responsibility, there is in fact far 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 information. Next, paperwork has 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 tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Burgettstown PA phlebotomists actually work in labs and are in charge of making certain that samples are analyzed properly utilizing the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they may be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The quickest answer is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are numerous and diverse, such as Burgettstown PA hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a certain kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from new patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Licensing and Certification

There are basically 2 kinds of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Burgettstown PA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to finish and provides a basic 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 phlebotomist degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they normally take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program offer a more extensive background in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, most employers require certification before employing technicians. Some of the key 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 prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, such as Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a premium education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Training

To begin with, let’s dispel one likely misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial part of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Burgettstown 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 in order to graduate. However since the non-practical component of the training may be accessed online, it could be a more convenient option for many students. As an additional benefit, some online schools are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some expenses, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy college you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a premium education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the right choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Since you now have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already decided on the kind 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 school is relevant as well as the cost of tuition. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist program. Each of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for selecting a program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are several questions that you need to ask about each of the Burgettstown PA programs you are considering prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be working and preps you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited school in addition to a guarantee of a premium education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are typically not available for non-accredited colleges in Burgettstown PA. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In a number of 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 important to check the reputations of all schools you are reviewing. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job assistance program. You can research online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even contact several Burgettstown PA area hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and ask if they can offer any insights. As a final thought, you can check with the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Ample Training Included? To begin with, check with 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 Burgettstown PA phlebotomy program that you are looking at should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internships Included? Find out from the Pennsylvania colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with local healthcare facilities. They are the ideal means to obtain hands-on clinical training frequently not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Burgettstown PA medical community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Landing your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Burgettstown PA health care community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to verify that the ultimate school you pick provides classes at times that are compatible with your busy schedule. This is particularly true if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Burgettstown PA, check that they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option also. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is in case you need to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's advantageous to review questions you might be asked. One of the questions that interviewers often ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What made you choose Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not just the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what qualities and skills you have that make you outstanding at your profession. You will likely be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of routine interview questions, so you must organize a number of approaches about how you would like to address them. Because there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this primary question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the talents you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the ideal choice for the job. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but jot down several ideas and topics that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample responses can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the interviewer.

Enroll in the Best Phlebotomy Program near Burgettstown PA

Making certain that you select the ideal phlebotomy training is an essential 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 premium program. Phlebotomist training programs can be found in a number of academic institutes, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive array of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Course offerings can differ somewhat across the country as every state has its own criteria when it pertains to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must thoroughly research and compare each program before making your ultimate selection. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the best college for you. And with the proper training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Burgettstown PA.

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