Picking a Phlebotomy School near Delaware Water Gap Pennsylvania

Picking the ideal phlebotomy school near Delaware Water Gap PA is a critical first step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult task to analyze and compare all of the school options that are accessible to you. However it’s important that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a quality education. In reality, many students start the process by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Another factor you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review more about online schools 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 cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and should be part of your decision process also. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you choose the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomy Technician Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their primary responsibility, there is actually far more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the instruments being employed are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork must be correctly completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory 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 infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many Delaware Water Gap PA phlebotomists actually work in labs and are accountable for making certain that samples are analyzed correctly utilizing the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they might be asked to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The easiest response is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are many and diverse, including Delaware Water Gap PA hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be charged to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a particular kind of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Training, Certification and Licensing

There are basically two kinds of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Delaware Water Gap PA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to finish and offers a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they typically require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program provide a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. While not required in the majority of states, a number of employers require certification before employing technicians. A few of the main certifying agencies 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 in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, such as California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a premium education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Schools

To begin with, let’s resolve one potential misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A good component of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Delaware Water Gap PA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-practical portion of the training may be attended online, it might be a more practical alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, some online classes are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some expenses, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (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 attaining your degree or certificate online may be the right option for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Since you now have a basic understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Pennsylvania school is important in addition to the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist college. Each of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for selecting a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you should ask about each of the Delaware Water Gap PA schools you are reviewing before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you choose should be accredited by a recognized national or regional accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of 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 administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are often not available for non-accredited programs in Delaware Water Gap PA. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate the reputations of all colleges you are looking at. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their students as part of their job assistance program. You can research online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also check with some Delaware Water Gap PA area hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and find out if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Enough 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 clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Delaware Water Gap PA phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Find out from the Pennsylvania colleges you are looking at 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 provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Delaware Water Gap PA medical 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 support of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Delaware Water Gap PA health care community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? And last, it’s crucial to confirm that the final program you select provides classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is particularly true if you opt to still work while attending college. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Delaware Water Gap PA, check that they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, 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 policy is should you need to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's advantageous to review questions you could be asked. One of the questions that hiring managers frequently ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What drove you to pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not only the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomist, but additionally what characteristics and abilities you have that make you outstanding at what you do. You will likely be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of routine interview questions, so you should prepare some approaches about how you want to answer them. Because there are several variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the abilities you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Technician and the best choice for the position. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but take down some concepts and topics that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample responses can help you to develop your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.

Choose the Ideal Phlebotomist College near Delaware Water Gap PA

Making sure that you select the right phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this fulfilling healthcare career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomy training programs are offered in a variety of academic institutions, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide array of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Program options may differ a bit across the country as every state has its own mandates when it comes to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must thoroughly research and compare each college prior to making your final decision. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the ideal program for you. And with the proper education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Delaware Water Gap PA.

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