Choosing a Phlebotomist Training Program near Gardners Pennsylvania

Picking the right phlebotomy school near Gardners PA is a critical initial step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting task to assess and compare each of the school alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a superior education. In fact, a large number of prospective students start the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Another option you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and should be part of your selection process as well. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you select the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomist Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their main function, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the tools being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be properly filled out to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Gardners PA phlebotomists actually work in labs and are responsible for making certain that samples are tested correctly under the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they can be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The easiest response is wherever there are patients. Their work places are numerous and diverse, such as Gardners PA hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a particular type of patient. For instance, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be drawing blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially two types of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Gardners PA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to finish and offers a general education along 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, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they normally take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program offer a more extensive background in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. Although not mandated in most states, many employers require certification prior to hiring technicians. A few 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 a few states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, including Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only furnishes a superior education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Training

To begin with, let’s dispel one possible mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A good portion of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Gardners 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. However since the non-clinical component of the training may be accessed online, it can be a more convenient option for some students. As an added benefit, some online classes are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some expenditures, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy school you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a superior education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the ideal option for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Since you now have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already decided on the kind 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 campus is important in addition to the tuition expense. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist program. All of these decisions are a critical component of the process for choosing a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Following are a few questions that you should ask about each of the Gardners PA programs you are considering before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As earlier discussed, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be working and prepares you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you pick should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from a guarantee of a premium education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited colleges in Gardners PA. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s important to check out the reputations of all colleges you are looking at. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even check with some Gardners PA area clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and find out if they can offer any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Provided? First, contact the Pennsylvania regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Gardners PA phlebotomist program that you are looking at should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums might signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internships Included? Ask the Pennsylvania schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with area medical facilities. They are the optimal way to get hands-on practical training often not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Gardners PA health care community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Finding your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the colleges you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Gardners PA health care community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s critical to confirm that the final program you pick provides classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is especially important if you opt to still work while going to school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Gardners PA, check that they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, verify 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 find out what the make-up procedure is in case you need to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's advantageous to reflect on questions you might be asked. Among the things that hiring managers often ask Phlebotomy Tech prospects is "What compelled you to select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not only the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what qualities and talents you have that make you good at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of standard interview questions, so you need to organize a number of ideas about how you want to respond to them. Given that there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the work appeals to you in addition to the abilities you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the perfiect choice for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but jot down several ideas and anecdotes that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Going over sample responses can assist you to prepare your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the interviewer.

Select the Ideal Phlebotomist Program near Gardners PA

Making sure that you pick the right phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare career position. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are offered in a number of educational institutions, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive range of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program options may differ a bit across the country as each state has its own requirements when it concerns phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must diligently screen and compare each college prior to making your final choice. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the best school for you. And with the proper education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Gardners PA.

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