Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Lionville Pennsylvania

Selecting the right phlebotomy technician school near Lionville PA is an important first step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting undertaking to assess and compare each of the training alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you obtain a superior education. In fact, most students start the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional option you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and must be part of your selection process as well. To assist in that effort, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you pick the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomy Technician Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their main function, there is in fact much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the tools being used are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork must be accurately filled out to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory screening process. 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 pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Lionville PA phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are in charge of making certain that samples are analyzed correctly under the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they might be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The easiest answer is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are numerous and varied, including Lionville PA medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be charged to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a certain type of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily 2 types of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Lionville PA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to complete and provides a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they usually take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program provide a more extensive background in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will probably want to be certified. Although not required in the majority of states, most employers look for certification prior to 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 some states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, including California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a premium education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Colleges

First, let’s dispel one likely misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant component of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Lionville 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 component of the training can be accessed online, it may be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an added benefit, many online classes are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a quality education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online may be the ideal option for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Since you now have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already picked the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Pennsylvania school is important in addition to the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomy online school. All of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for choosing a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Following are some questions that you need to ask about each of the Lionville PA programs you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Pennsylvania? As earlier discussed, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed before working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for all exams you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you pick should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a quality education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Lionville PA. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check out the reputations of all schools you are looking at. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their students as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even check with some Lionville 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 check with the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Provided? To begin with, contact the Pennsylvania regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Lionville PA phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Ask the Pennsylvania schools you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional health care facilities. They are the ideal way to obtain hands-on practical training often not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Lionville PA health care community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Getting your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Lionville PA healthcare community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s critical to confirm that the final college you pick provides classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is particularly true if you choose to continue working while attending school. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Lionville PA, make certain they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option also. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is should you have to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's important to reflect on questions you may be asked. Among the questions that recruiters often ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What compelled you to pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not only the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what characteristics and skills you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of general interview questions, so you must ready a number of ideas about how you want to respond to them. Considering there are several variables that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this primary question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the strengths you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Technician and the best candidate for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but write down several concepts and talking points that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can assist you to prepare your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to impress the interviewer.

Enroll in the Ideal Phlebotomist Course near Lionville PA

Making sure that you select the ideal phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding health care field. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomy training programs can be available in a variety of academic institutes, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive array of courses in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings may differ somewhat from state to state as every state has its own mandates when it concerns phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to diligently evaluate and compare each program before making your ultimate decision. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the right school for you. And with the appropriate training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Lionville PA.

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