Choosing a Phlebotomy School near Morgantown Pennsylvania

Choosing the ideal phlebotomy school near Morgantown PA is an essential first step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting undertaking to evaluate and compare all of the training options that are accessible to you. However it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you get a superior education. In reality, most prospective students begin the process by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another factor you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll review a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and should be part of your decision process also. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you select the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomy Technician Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their primary function, there is actually so much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the instruments being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork needs to be accurately filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory screening process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Morgantown PA phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are accountable for making certain that samples are analyzed properly using the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they can be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The most basic answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are many and diverse, such as Morgantown PA hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a certain type of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be drawing blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients every day.

Phlebotomist Training, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially 2 types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Morgantown PA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to complete and offers a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they typically require 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program provide a more expansive background in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. Although not required in the majority of states, many employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. A few of the principal 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 require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, such as California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a quality education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Training

First, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A good component of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Morgantown 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-clinical portion of the training can be accessed online, it might be a more practical alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, some online schools are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some expenditures, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist college you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a superior education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online might be the best choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Since you now have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already selected the kind 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 campus is significant as well as the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy school. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the process for selecting a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you need to ask about all of the Morgantown PA schools you are looking at before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you select should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting agency, 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 superior education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited schools in Morgantown PA. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to check out the reputations of all colleges you are reviewing. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job assistance program. You can research online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also contact several Morgantown PA area clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and see if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Included? First, contact the Pennsylvania regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Morgantown PA phlebotomist program that you are considering should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internships Included? Ask the Pennsylvania schools you are considering 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 available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Morgantown PA health care community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Getting your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Morgantown PA healthcare community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? Finally, it’s critical to verify that the ultimate school you pick provides classes at times that will accommodate your hectic schedule. This is especially important if you choose to still work while going to college. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Morgantown PA, check that they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option also. Even 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 should you need to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's advantageous to review questions you could be asked. Among the things that hiring managers often ask Phlebotomist prospects is "What compelled you to pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not just the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what qualities and skills you possess that make you good at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of standard interview questions, so you must ready several approaches about how you would like to answer them. Because there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you along with the strengths you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the ideal choice for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but jot down some ideas and topics that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample responses can help you to formulate your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.

Enroll in the Right Phlebotomist Program near Morgantown PA

Making sure that you select the most suitable phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this rewarding health care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior college. Phlebotomy training programs can be found in a number of academic institutes, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive array of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Course offerings may differ a bit across the country as each state has its own prerequisites when it pertains to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must diligently research and compare each college before making your final choice. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the best college for you. And with the proper education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Morgantown PA.

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