Picking a Phlebotomy School near Emigsville Pennsylvania

Choosing the right phlebotomy technician school near Emigsville PA is a critical initial step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging task to analyze and compare all of the training options that are available to you. However it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you receive a quality education. In reality, many prospective students start their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional factor you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and should be part of your selection process also. 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 pick the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomy Technician Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their primary responsibility, there is in fact much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the instruments being employed are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork must be correctly filled out to be able 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 may be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Emigsville PA phlebotomists actually work in labs and are in charge of making sure that samples are analyzed correctly under the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they might be required to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The quickest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are many and varied, including Emigsville PA hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a particular type of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be collecting blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Licensing and Certification

There are basically two kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Emigsville PA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to finish and provides a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they usually take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program offer a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, a number of employers look for 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 several states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, like Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a superior education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Certificates and Degrees

To begin with, let’s dispel one possible mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial portion of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Emigsville 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 in order to graduate. But since the non-practical component of the training can be attended online, it can be a more practical option for some students. As an added benefit, some online colleges are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a superior education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the best choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Now that you have a basic understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Pennsylvania college is significant as well as the cost of tuition. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy school. All of these decisions are an important component of the process for choosing a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Following are several questions that you need to ask about each of the Emigsville PA programs you are reviewing before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you choose should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from an assurance 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 previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited schools in Emigsville PA. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to check the reputations of any colleges you are looking at. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even check with a few Emigsville PA area clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and see if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Adequate Training Included? First, 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 classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Emigsville 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 below these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Find out from the Pennsylvania colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with regional medical facilities. They are the optimal means to obtain hands-on practical training often not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Emigsville PA healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Finding your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Emigsville PA healthcare community.

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

Why Did You Choose to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's advantageous to review questions you may be asked. One of the things that interviewers often ask Phlebotomy Tech prospects is "What made you decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not just the private reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what qualities and talents you have that make you exceptional at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of standard interview questions, so you must prepare several strategies about how you would like to answer them. Given that there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the profession interests you along with the abilities you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the best candidate for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but jot down a few concepts and topics that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample answers can help you to develop your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.

Find the Ideal Phlebotomist College near Emigsville PA

Making certain that you pick the right phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding healthcare field. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomy training programs can be available in a variety of academic institutes, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive assortment of programs in medical care and health sciences. Training program offerings may differ somewhat from state to state as every state has its own mandates when it comes to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to carefully research and compare each college before making your final decision. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the right program for you. And with the proper education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Emigsville PA.

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