Choosing a Phlebotomy School near Carnegie Pennsylvania

Choosing the right phlebotomist training near Carnegie PA is an essential initial step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult task to evaluate and compare all of the training options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you receive a quality education. In reality, many potential students start their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another option you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll review a bit more about online classes later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and need to be part of your selection process as well. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you select the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomist Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their principal responsibility, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check 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 must be accurately filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory screening process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Carnegie PA phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are responsible for making sure that samples are analyzed properly using the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they might be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The quickest answer is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are many and diverse, such as Carnegie PA medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a certain type of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Education, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily two kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Carnegie PA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to finish and furnishes a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they normally take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program provide a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. Although not mandated 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 a few states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, including Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only furnishes a superior education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Classes

First, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial component of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Carnegie 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. But since the non-clinical portion of the training can be attended online, it can be a more practical option for some students. As an additional benefit, some online classes are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some expenses, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a premium education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the best choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Now that you have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Pennsylvania college is important in addition to the tuition expense. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist college. All of these decisions are a critical component of the process for selecting a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Following are some questions that you need to ask about each of the Carnegie PA schools you are looking at 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 a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be working and prepares you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you select should be accredited by a respected regional or national 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 in addition to an assurance of a quality 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 agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited programs in Carnegie PA. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of all colleges you are looking at. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even check with several Carnegie PA area clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and see if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Ample Training Provided? To begin with, check with the Pennsylvania regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Carnegie PA phlebotomy program that you are looking at should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Find out from the Pennsylvania programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with local medical facilities. They are the ideal way to get hands-on practical training frequently not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Carnegie PA medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Available? Landing your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are reviewing 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 as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Carnegie PA healthcare community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s important to make sure that the ultimate college you select provides classes at times that will accommodate your hectic schedule. This is particularly true if you choose to still work while going to college. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Carnegie PA, make certain they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option also. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is in case you need to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Desire to Become a Phlebotomist?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's important to reflect on questions you may be asked. One of the questions that recruiters often ask Phlebotomist prospects is "What drove you to choose Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not just the personal reasons you might have for becoming 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, as well as a certain number of typical interview questions, so you should prepare a number of strategies about how you want to answer them. Considering there are numerous factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the work appeals to you in addition to the abilities you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the best candidate for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but jot down several concepts and anecdotes that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Reading through sample answers can help you to develop your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the interviewer.

Enroll in the Right Phlebotomy Program near Carnegie PA

Making certain that you pick the ideal phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this rewarding health care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomy training programs can be found in a variety of academic institutes, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide assortment of programs in medical care and health sciences. Training program offerings can vary slightly from state to state as each state has its own mandates when it comes to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to carefully screen and compare each program before making your ultimate choice. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the right college for you. And with the appropriate training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Carnegie PA.

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