Selecting a Phlebotomist Course near Elkins Park Pennsylvania

Selecting the right phlebotomy technician training near Elkins Park PA is a critical first step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult undertaking to evaluate and compare all of the training options that are available to you. However it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to make certain that you receive a quality education. In fact, most potential students start the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Another option you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review a bit 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 cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation 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 should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you select the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their principal duty, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the instruments being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample has to be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork needs to be correctly filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory testing procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Elkins Park PA phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are in charge of ensuring that samples are analyzed properly under the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they can be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The easiest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are numerous and varied, such as Elkins Park PA hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be charged to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a certain type of patient. For example, those working 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 collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients each day.

Phlebotomist Training, Certification and Licensing

There are basically 2 types of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Elkins Park PA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to finish and furnishes a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they usually require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program furnish a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. Although not required in most states, many employers require certification prior to hiring 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, including Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you choose 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 Certificates and Degrees

To begin with, let’s resolve one likely mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial component of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Elkins Park 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. But since the non-practical part of the training can be attended online, it might be a more practical option for some students. As an added benefit, many online colleges are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some costs, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist program you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a premium education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online might be the right choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Since you now have a basic understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already selected the type 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 significant as well as the cost of tuition. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist program. All of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for picking 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 all of the Elkins Park PA schools you are considering prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require 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 phlebotomist. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification 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 practicing and readies you for all exams you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you enroll in should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a premium education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are typically not available for non-accredited colleges in Elkins Park PA. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate the reputations of all colleges you are considering. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even contact some Elkins Park PA local hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and find out if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with 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. At a minimum, any Elkins Park PA phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums might signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internships Provided? Ask the Pennsylvania programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with area health care facilities. They are the optimal way to obtain hands-on practical training typically not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Elkins Park PA healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Finding your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the Elkins Park PA medical community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? Finally, it’s critical to verify that the final school you choose provides classes at times that will accommodate your hectic lifestyle. This is particularly important if you decide to continue working while attending school. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Elkins Park PA, make certain they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option as well. And if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up procedure is should you need to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's a good idea to review questions you might be asked. Among the questions that recruiters often ask Phlebotomy Technician prospects is "What drove you to select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not only the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomist, but additionally what attributes and abilities you possess that make you exceptional at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of typical interview questions, so you should ready some strategies about how you want to respond to them. Because there are several variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work appeals to you along with the strengths you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the leading candidate for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but take down a few ideas and topics that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample responses can assist you to formulate your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to enthuse the recruiter.

Enroll in the Right Phlebotomist Course near Elkins Park PA

Making sure that you pick the ideal phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomy training programs are available in a variety of academic institutions, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive array of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program options can differ a bit from state to state as every state has its own mandates when it pertains to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to thoroughly evaluate and compare each school before making your ultimate choice. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the best program for you. And with the appropriate training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Elkins Park PA.

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