Selecting a Phlebotomist School near Harrisburg Pennsylvania

Selecting the ideal phlebotomy training near Harrisburg PA is a critical initial step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging task to analyze and compare all of the training options that are accessible to you. However it’s vital that you do your due diligence to ensure that you receive a quality education. In reality, 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 might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area 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 locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and should be part of your selection process as well. Toward that end, we will supply 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 before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomy Tech Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their primary task, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the tools being utilized are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork has to be accurately completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory screening procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Harrisburg PA phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are accountable for making certain that samples are tested properly utilizing the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they can be asked to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The quickest response is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are many and diverse, including Harrisburg PA hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be charged to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing blood from a particular kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Training, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially two kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Harrisburg PA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to complete and furnishes a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they normally require 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program offer a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will probably want to be certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, a number of employers require certification before employing technicians. Some of the primary certifying agencies 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, such as Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a superior education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Colleges

First, let’s resolve one likely misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant component of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Harrisburg PA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical part of the training may be attended online, it might be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, many online schools are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenditures, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist college you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a premium education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online might be the ideal option for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Since you now have a basic understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the kind 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 school is relevant as well as the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist school. All of these decisions are an important part of the process for selecting a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Following are a few questions that you need to ask about all of the Harrisburg PA programs you are considering prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for all exams you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you pick should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a quality education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools in Harrisburg PA. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of all colleges you are reviewing. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even contact a few Harrisburg PA area hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and ask if they can provide any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Included? First, check with the Pennsylvania regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Harrisburg PA phlebotomist program that you are looking at should provide no less than 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 expansive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out from the Pennsylvania programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional medical facilities. They are the ideal means to get hands-on practical training frequently not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Harrisburg PA medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Landing your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Ask if the schools you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college 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 together with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Harrisburg PA healthcare community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s critical to make sure that the final school you pick provides classes at times that are compatible with your hectic schedule. This is especially important if you opt to still work while attending school. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Harrisburg PA, make sure they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option also. Even if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is should you have to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's helpful to reflect on questions you might be asked. One of the things that hiring managers typically ask Phlebotomist applicants is "What drove you to select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not merely the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but also what attributes and abilities you possess that make you exceptional at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of routine interview questions, so you should organize several approaches about how you would like to address them. Since there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the profession interests you as well as the talents you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the leading candidate for the job. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but write down a few ideas and talking points that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample responses can assist you to develop your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to wow the interviewer.

Enroll in the Right Phlebotomist Program near Harrisburg PA

Making certain that you pick the right phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding healthcare career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomy training programs can be offered in a variety of educational institutes, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide array of courses in medical care and health sciences. Training program options may vary somewhat across the country as every state has its own prerequisites when it pertains to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to diligently evaluate and compare each program before making your ultimate choice. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the ideal school for you. And with the proper education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Harrisburg PA.

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