Selecting a Phlebotomy Training Program near Cheswick Pennsylvania

Choosing the ideal phlebotomy technician training near Cheswick PA is a critical first step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging task to evaluate and compare all of the school options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a quality education. In fact, many prospective students begin their search by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional factor you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll talk more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating 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 ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomist Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their main duty, there is actually much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must check that the instruments being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork needs to be accurately completed in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Cheswick PA phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are in charge of making sure that samples are analyzed properly using the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they may be required to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The easiest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are many and diverse, including Cheswick PA medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be charged to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a particular type of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients each day.

Phlebotomist Training, Certification and Licensing

There are basically 2 types of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Cheswick PA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to complete and offers a basic education as well as 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 phlebotomist 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 not as available and as a 4 year program provide a more extensive background in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will probably want to get certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, a number of employers require certification before employing technicians. Some 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 several states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, such as Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only furnishes a premium education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Certificates and Degrees

To start with, let’s dispel one potential mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial component of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Cheswick PA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-practical part of the training may be accessed online, it could be a more convenient option for some students. As an added benefit, a number of online colleges are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some expenditures, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy college you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a premium education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the best choice for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Now that you have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already picked the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Pennsylvania school is relevant in addition to the cost of tuition. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomist online school. All of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for choosing a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are some questions that you need to ask about all of the Cheswick PA programs you are reviewing before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Pennsylvania? As previously mentioned, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be working and readies you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you enroll in should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from a guarantee of a quality education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited programs in Cheswick PA. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of any schools you are reviewing. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even check with a few Cheswick PA local hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and find out if they can offer any recommendations. 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 Adequate 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 clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Cheswick PA phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should furnish 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 provide sufficient training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Find out from the Pennsylvania programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with local medical facilities. They are the ideal means to receive hands-on clinical training frequently not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Cheswick PA healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Landing your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement percentage 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 along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Cheswick PA health care community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to confirm that the final college you choose provides classes at times that will accommodate your busy lifestyle. This is particularly true if you choose to continue working while attending school. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Cheswick PA, make sure they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option as well. And if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol 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 getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's important to review questions you might be asked. Among the things that hiring managers typically ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What compelled you to select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not merely the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what characteristics and abilities you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will probably be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of general interview questions, so you should ready several ideas about how you want to answer them. Given that there are several factors that go into choosing a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you in addition to the abilities you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Technician and the best choice for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but jot down several concepts and talking points that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can assist you to prepare your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to include to impress the recruiter.

Select the Right Phlebotomist School near Cheswick PA

Making sure that you select the most suitable phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare field. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomy training programs are available in a wide range of academic institutions, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide array of courses in medical care and health sciences. Training program options may vary a bit from state to state as each state has its own requirements when it comes to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to thoroughly screen and compare each program prior to making your ultimate selection. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the right school for you. And with the appropriate training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Cheswick PA.

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