Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Duke Center Pennsylvania

Choosing the right phlebotomy technician training near Duke Center PA is an important initial step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging undertaking to evaluate and compare each of the training options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you do your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a quality education. In reality, a large number of potential students begin the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another factor you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll talk more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and should be part of your decision process too. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you should 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 cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their main responsibility, there is actually so much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the tools being employed are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork needs to be correctly completed to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory screening procedure. 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. Some Duke Center PA phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are accountable for making certain that samples are analyzed correctly using the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they can be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The easiest response is wherever patients are treated. Their workplaces are numerous and varied, including Duke Center 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 toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a particular type of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients every day.

Phlebotomist Education, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially 2 types of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Duke Center PA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually 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 phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they typically take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program provide a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will probably want to get certified. Although not required in most states, many employers require certification prior to hiring technicians. Some 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 prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, like Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a superior education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Training

To start with, let’s dispel one possible misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant component of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Duke Center 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 prior to graduation. However since the non-practical component of the training can be attended online, it might be a more practical option for many students. As an added benefit, a number of online colleges are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some costs, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened 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 online and clinical training, you can receive a quality education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the ideal choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Now that you have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already picked the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Pennsylvania school is important as well as the cost of tuition. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy school. All of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for choosing a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you need to ask about each of the Duke Center PA colleges you are considering prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you choose should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited school in addition to a guarantee of a premium education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools in Duke Center PA. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to investigate the reputations of any colleges you are looking at. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even check with a few Duke Center PA area hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Provided? To begin with, contact the Pennsylvania regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Duke Center PA phlebotomy program that you are looking at should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internships Provided? Ask the Pennsylvania schools you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with local medical facilities. They are the optimal means to receive hands-on clinical training often not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Duke Center PA medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Landing your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the schools you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a higher rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Duke Center PA health care community.

Are Class Times Available as Needed? And last, it’s crucial to verify that the final college you select offers classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is especially important if you choose to continue working while going to school. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near Duke Center PA, make sure they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option also. Even if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is in case you have to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's helpful to reflect on questions you might be asked. One of the things that hiring managers often ask Phlebotomist prospects is "What drove you to pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not just the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what qualities and skills you possess that make you good at your profession. You will probably be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of standard interview questions, so you should organize some ideas about how you want to answer them. Considering there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the talents you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the best choice for the position. Don't try to memorize an answer, but jot down a few ideas and anecdotes that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample responses can help you to develop your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to impress the recruiter.

Enroll in the Right Phlebotomist College near Duke Center PA

Making sure that you enroll in the most suitable phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding health care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomist training programs can be found in a variety of academic institutes, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program options may differ slightly from state to state as every state has its own prerequisites when it concerns phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must diligently evaluate and compare each college before making your final decision. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the right college for you. And with the appropriate training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Duke Center PA.

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