Choosing a Phlebotomy School near Huntingdon Pennsylvania

Selecting the ideal phlebotomy training near Huntingdon PA is an important initial step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting task to investigate and compare all of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. However it’s important that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you get a superior education. In fact, many prospective students start their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional factor you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and must be part of your decision process also. 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 select the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomy Technician Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their primary duty, there is actually far more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must check that the tools being utilized are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork needs to be properly completed to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory testing procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many Huntingdon PA phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are in charge of ensuring that samples are tested correctly under the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they might be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The most basic answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are numerous and varied, such as Huntingdon PA medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a certain kind of patient. For instance, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be drawing blood from senior 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 environment would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially two types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Huntingdon PA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically 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 means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they typically take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program provide a more extensive background in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. While not required in the majority of states, many employers look for certification before employing technicians. Some 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 a few states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, like California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a quality education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Certificates and Degrees

To start with, let’s resolve one potential misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial part of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Huntingdon 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 part of the training can be accessed online, it could be a more practical alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, a number of online classes are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some expenditures, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a premium education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the best choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Since you now have a basic understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already selected the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Pennsylvania college is important in addition to the cost of tuition. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online college. Each of these decisions are an important component of the process for selecting a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are some questions that you need to ask about each of the Huntingdon PA colleges you are looking at before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Pennsylvania? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might 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 preps you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a recognized national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a premium education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Huntingdon 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 a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to investigate the reputations of any colleges you are looking at. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also contact a few Huntingdon PA area hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Provided? 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 amount of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Huntingdon PA phlebotomist program that you are considering should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Ask the Pennsylvania programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with area healthcare facilities. They are the ideal means to get hands-on practical training typically not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Huntingdon PA healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Offered? Getting your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a higher rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Huntingdon PA health care community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s critical to make sure that the final school you pick provides classes at times that will accommodate your busy lifestyle. This is especially important if you opt to continue working while going to college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Huntingdon PA, make sure they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option also. And 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 protocol is should you need to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's advantageous to review questions you might be asked. Among the questions that interviewers typically ask Phlebotomy Technician prospects is "What made you pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not just the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but additionally what characteristics and abilities you possess that make you exceptional at your profession. You will probably be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of typical interview questions, so you need to organize some ideas about how you would like to respond to them. Considering there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the abilities you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the best choice for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but take down a few ideas and topics that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reading through sample answers can assist you to prepare your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.

Enroll in the Best Phlebotomist Course near Huntingdon PA

Making sure that you enroll in the most suitable phlebotomy training is an essential 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 contribute toward the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be available in a number of educational institutes, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive range of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings may differ somewhat from state to state as every state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to thoroughly screen and compare each school prior to making your ultimate choice. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the ideal program for you. And with the appropriate education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Huntingdon PA.

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