Choosing a Phlebotomy Course near King of Prussia Pennsylvania

Picking the ideal phlebotomy school near King of Prussia PA is a critical first step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting task to evaluate and compare each of the training options that are available to you. However it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you get a superior education. In reality, many students start the process by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another option you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your selection process as well. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you select the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomist Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their primary function, there is in fact much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the tools being used are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork has to be accurately completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some King of Prussia PA phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are responsible for ensuring that samples are tested correctly under the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they can be asked to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The easiest response is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are many and varied, including King of Prussia PA medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a specific type of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be collecting blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients every day.

Phlebotomist Education, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily two types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in King of Prussia PA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to complete and offers a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they normally require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program offer a more extensive background in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, many employers require certification prior to hiring technicians. A few of the principal certifying organizations include:

• National Phlebotomy Association
• National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
• American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
• American Medical Technologists (AMT)

There are some states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, like California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a superior education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Colleges

To start with, let’s dispel one likely misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial portion of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved King of Prussia 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 in order to graduate. But since the non-practical component of the training may be accessed online, it may be a more convenient alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, some online colleges are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some expenditures, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomist program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the best choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Now that you have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the kind 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 relevant in addition to the cost of tuition. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online program. Each of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for picking a program or school. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you should ask about all of the King of Prussia PA programs you are looking at prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be working and preps you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you pick should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a superior education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges in King of Prussia PA. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s important 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 graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also contact a few King of Prussia PA area hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can provide any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Adequate Training Included? To begin with, contact the Pennsylvania regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any King of Prussia PA phlebotomy program that you are considering should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out from the Pennsylvania schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with local health care facilities. They are the ideal way to obtain hands-on practical training typically not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local King of Prussia PA medical community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Landing your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the King of Prussia PA healthcare community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s critical to confirm that the ultimate program you pick provides classes at times that are compatible with your busy lifestyle. This is especially true if you opt to still work while attending school. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near King of Prussia PA, make certain they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure 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 fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is in case you have to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's advantageous to reflect on questions you could be asked. Among the things that hiring managers frequently ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What drove you to pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not only the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what attributes and skills you have that make you exceptional at your profession. You will likely be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of standard interview questions, so you should ready several ideas about how you want to respond to them. Given that there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the profession appeals to you in addition to the strengths you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Technician and the best candidate for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but jot down a few concepts and topics that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Reading through sample responses can help you to prepare your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.

Select the Best Phlebotomist Program near King of Prussia PA

Making sure that you select the right phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are found in a number of academic institutions, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive assortment of courses in medical care and health sciences. Program options may differ a bit from state to state as every state has its own criteria when it comes to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must diligently screen and compare each college prior to making your ultimate selection. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the best school for you. And with the appropriate education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in King of Prussia PA.

Learn About King of Prussia Pennsylvania

 

 

More Interesting Pennsylvania Cities

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Milesburg PA 16853

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Chalfont PA 18914

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Williamsburg PA 16693

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Wyalusing PA 18853

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Hummelstown PA 17036

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Montoursville PA 17754

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Rector PA 15677

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Crum Lynne PA 19022

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Malvern PA 19355

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Jermyn PA 18433