Choosing a Phlebotomy School near Greensburg Pennsylvania

Enrolling in the right phlebotomist school near Greensburg PA is an essential initial step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging task to assess and compare all of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. However it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a quality education. In fact, many students start their search 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 online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online classes later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and need to be part of your selection process too. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you choose the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their main responsibility, there is in fact far more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the instruments being employed are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork needs to be accurately completed 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 in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Greensburg PA phlebotomists actually work in labs and are accountable for making sure that samples are tested correctly using the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they might be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The easiest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their workplaces are numerous and varied, including Greensburg PA medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a specific kind of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be collecting blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily two kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Greensburg PA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to complete and offers a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they usually take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program provide a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not required in most states, a number of employers look for certification before hiring 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 phlebotomist, such as California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a quality education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Certificates and Degrees

To start with, let’s dispel one potential mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant part of the course of study will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Greensburg 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 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 more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some costs, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomist program you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a superior education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the right option for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Now that you have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, 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 certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Pennsylvania campus is relevant as well as the cost of tuition. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online college. All of these decisions are an important part of the process for picking a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you need to ask about all of the Greensburg PA schools you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomist program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be working and readies you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you select should be accredited by a highly regarded 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 aside from a guarantee of a premium education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools in Greensburg PA. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to investigate the reputations of all colleges you are looking at. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even talk to a few Greensburg PA area hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and find out if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Included? First, check with 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 clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Greensburg PA phlebotomist program that you are looking at should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out from the Pennsylvania programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with local healthcare facilities. They are the optimal way to obtain hands-on practical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local Greensburg PA medical community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Finding your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the programs you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Greensburg PA medical community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to confirm that the ultimate program you choose provides classes at times that are compatible with your active schedule. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while attending school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Greensburg PA, make certain they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up procedure is in case you need to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you might be asked. Among the things that hiring managers often ask Phlebotomist prospects is "What compelled you to select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not merely the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what qualities and talents you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of general interview questions, so you must prepare some strategies about how you would like to answer them. Because there are so many variables that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this primary question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the talents you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Technician and the ideal candidate for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but jot down some ideas and topics that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.

Choose the Best Phlebotomist School near Greensburg PA

Making certain that you select the right phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling 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 school. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are available in a wide range of academic institutions, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide assortment of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Course options may differ somewhat across the country as each state has its own requirements when it concerns phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to carefully screen and compare each college prior to making your final selection. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the best college for you. And with the appropriate education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Greensburg PA.

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