Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician School near Hanover Pennsylvania

Selecting the right phlebotomy technician training near Hanover PA is an important initial step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging task to evaluate and compare all of the training options that are accessible to you. However it’s important that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you receive a superior education. In fact, a large number of students begin the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another option you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll talk more about online classes 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 such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and should be part of your decision process as well. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you choose the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomist Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their principal responsibility, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the tools being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork has to be accurately filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory screening process. 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 pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some Hanover PA phlebotomists actually work in labs and are in charge of making sure that samples are analyzed correctly using the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they might be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The most basic response is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are numerous and varied, including Hanover PA medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be charged to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a particular type of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially two types of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Hanover PA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to complete and offers a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they normally require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program provide a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will probably want to get certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, most employers look for certification prior to employing technicians. A few of the key 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 phlebotomy tech, such as Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a superior education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Certificates and Degrees

First, let’s resolve one possible mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A good part of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Hanover 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 in order to graduate. But since the non-practical part of the training can be accessed online, it may be a more practical option for many students. As an added benefit, some online schools are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some costs, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomy school you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the right choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Now that you have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already selected the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Pennsylvania school is important in addition to the cost of tuition. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomist online school. Each of these decisions are an important component of the process for picking a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you should ask about each of the Hanover PA schools you are considering prior to making your final 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 require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed before working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomist program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be working and prepares you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you enroll in 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 a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a quality education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges in Hanover PA. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to check out the reputations of all schools you are considering. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can research online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also contact a few Hanover PA area clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and find out if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with 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? To begin with, contact 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. At a minimum, any Hanover PA phlebotomy program that you are considering should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask the Pennsylvania programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with area medical facilities. They are the ideal means to get hands-on clinical training typically not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Hanover PA health care community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Getting your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the Hanover PA health care community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s critical to make sure that the ultimate college you choose provides classes at times that are compatible with your busy lifestyle. This is particularly true if you choose to continue working while going to school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Hanover PA, make certain they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is should you need to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Choose to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's advantageous to review questions you could be asked. Among the questions that recruiters often ask Phlebotomy Tech prospects is "What made you decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not only the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what characteristics and talents you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will likely be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of standard interview questions, so you need to ready some ideas about how you want to respond to them. Because there are numerous variables that go into selecting a career, you can answer this primary question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession appeals to you in addition to the talents you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the ideal choice for the position. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but write down a few ideas and anecdotes that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Going over sample responses can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Find the Ideal Phlebotomist College near Hanover PA

Making certain that you pick the right phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomist training programs can be offered in a wide range of academic institutions, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive assortment of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program options can differ slightly from state to state as every state has its own prerequisites when it comes to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must thoroughly evaluate and compare each program prior to making your final decision. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the right school for you. And with the proper training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Hanover PA.

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