Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician Course near Lansdowne Pennsylvania

Selecting the ideal phlebotomist training near Lansdowne PA is an essential initial step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging task to assess and compare each of the school alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a quality education. In reality, many prospective students begin the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another factor you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and should be part of your decision process as well. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you pick the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomy Technician Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their principal duty, there is in fact much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the tools being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork has to be correctly filled out to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Lansdowne PA phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are accountable for ensuring that samples are tested correctly using the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they might be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The simplest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their workplaces are numerous and diverse, including Lansdowne PA hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a certain kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be collecting blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily two types of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Lansdowne 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 method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they typically take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program provide a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, most employers look for certification before employing technicians. Some 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 several states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, including California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a premium education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Certificates and Degrees

To begin with, let’s dispel one possible misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant portion of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Lansdowne PA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completing 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 some students. As an additional benefit, a number of online classes are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some expenses, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy school 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 superior education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the best option for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Now that you have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, 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 degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Pennsylvania school is significant as well as the cost of tuition. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomy online program. Each of these decisions are an important part of the process for picking a program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you should ask about each of the Lansdowne PA schools you are reviewing before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed before working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be working and preps you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you select should be accredited by a reputable national or regional 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 premium education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited schools in Lansdowne PA. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In many 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 all colleges you are reviewing. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also talk to some Lansdowne PA local hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and find out if they can provide any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Included? To begin with, contact 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. As a minimum, any Lansdowne PA phlebotomist 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 less than these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Find out from the Pennsylvania schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional healthcare facilities. They are the ideal means to receive hands-on practical training often not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Lansdowne PA medical community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Landing your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are considering provide 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 an excellent reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Lansdowne PA medical community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s important to make sure that the ultimate program you select offers classes at times that are compatible with your hectic lifestyle. This is particularly important if you decide to still work while attending college. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Lansdowne PA, check that they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option also. And if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is should you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Become a Phlebotomist?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's important to consider questions you may be asked. Among the questions that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What drove you to select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not merely the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what attributes and abilities you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of standard interview questions, so you should ready some strategies about how you would like to address them. Given that there are numerous factors that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession appeals to you as well as the talents you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Technician and the best choice for the job. Don't try to memorize an answer, but take down several concepts and anecdotes that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample answers can assist you to prepare your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to enthuse the recruiter.

Select the Best Phlebotomy School near Lansdowne PA

Making sure that you pick the right phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this fulfilling healthcare career position. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a superior college. Phlebotomist training programs are available in a number of academic institutes, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive array of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Program offerings may differ a bit from state to state as each state has its own requirements when it pertains to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must carefully screen and compare each school before making your final selection. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the ideal college for you. And with the proper education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Lansdowne PA.

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