Choosing a Phlebotomy Training Program near Mount Union Pennsylvania

Choosing the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Mount Union PA is an important initial step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging undertaking to assess and compare all of the training alternatives that are available to you. However it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a superior education. In reality, many potential students begin their search by considering 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 a local campus. We’ll review a bit more about online classes later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is much more to comparing 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 too. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you choose the right 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 Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their main task, there is actually far more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the instruments being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork must be correctly completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Mount Union PA phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are in charge of ensuring that samples are tested properly utilizing the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they may be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The easiest response is wherever there are patients. Their work places are many and diverse, such as Mount Union PA medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be charged to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a certain type of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients each day.

Phlebotomy Training, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially two kinds of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Mount Union PA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to complete and provides a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they normally take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program furnish a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will probably want to become certified. While not mandated in most states, most employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. Some 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 some states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, such as 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 quality education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Certificates and Degrees

To start with, let’s resolve one potential mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant component of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Mount Union PA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical component of the training can be accessed online, it could be a more practical alternative for many students. As an added benefit, some online schools are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some expenditures, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the best option for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Since you now have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already picked the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Pennsylvania school is relevant as well as the tuition expense. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist college. All of these decisions are an important part of the process for selecting a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Following are some questions that you should ask about each of the Mount Union PA programs you are reviewing before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed before working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be working and prepares you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you pick should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited program aside from an assurance of a superior education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited programs in Mount Union PA. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to investigate the reputations of all colleges you are reviewing. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer 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 as well. You can also check with a few Mount Union PA local clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and see if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can check with the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Adequate 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 clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Mount Union PA phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums might signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internships Provided? Find out from the Pennsylvania colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with area medical facilities. They are the optimal means to obtain hands-on clinical training typically not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Mount Union PA healthcare community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Getting your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Mount Union PA healthcare community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s important to make sure that the ultimate college you pick provides classes at times that will accommodate your busy schedule. This is particularly important if you decide to continue working while going to school. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Mount Union PA, make sure they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option as well. And if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is in case you need to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's helpful to reflect on questions you might be asked. Among the questions that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What drove you to select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not only the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what attributes and abilities you have that make you outstanding at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of general interview questions, so you should prepare several strategies about how you want to address them. Because there are several factors that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the talents you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Technician and the ideal candidate for the job. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but take down a few concepts and talking points that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Reading through sample answers can help you to formulate your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to impress the recruiter.

Enroll in the Right Phlebotomist Program near Mount Union PA

Making certain that you pick the right phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this rewarding healthcare field. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomy training programs are found in a wide range of educational institutes, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive array of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program options can differ a bit from state to state as each state has its own criteria when it pertains to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to thoroughly evaluate and compare each program before making your ultimate selection. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the right college for you. And with the proper training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Mount Union PA.

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