Selecting a Phlebotomy Course near Murrysville Pennsylvania

Selecting the right phlebotomist training near Murrysville PA is an important first step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult undertaking to assess and compare each of the training options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to make certain that you get a superior education. In fact, many students start their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another factor you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review a bit more about online classes later in this article. What you need to remember 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 selection 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 assessing to help you pick the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomist Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their principal task, there is in fact far more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the tools being used are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork has to be properly completed to be able to track the sample from the time 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 may be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Murrysville PA phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are responsible for making sure that samples are tested properly using the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they might be asked to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The quickest response is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are many and varied, such as Murrysville PA hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a specific kind of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Licensing and Certification

There are basically 2 types of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Murrysville PA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to complete and offers a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they usually take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program provide a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. Although not required in the majority of states, a number of employers require certification before hiring technicians. Some of the key 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 call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, including California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a quality education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Certificates and Degrees

To start with, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant portion of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Murrysville PA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical component of the training can be attended online, it might be a more practical alternative for many students. As an added benefit, a number of online programs are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenses, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced also. Just verify that the online phlebotomy program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a quality education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Now that you have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, 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 certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Pennsylvania college is relevant in addition to the tuition expense. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online school. All of these decisions are an important part of the process for picking a program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are a few questions that you should ask about each of the Murrysville PA programs you are looking at prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed before working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomist program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you select should be accredited by a reputable national or regional 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 administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are often unavailable for non-accredited programs in Murrysville PA. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check out the reputations of all colleges you are looking at. 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 screen online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even check with several Murrysville PA area clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and find out if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Sufficient 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. At a minimum, any Murrysville PA phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums might signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Find out from the Pennsylvania schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional health care facilities. They are the optimal way to get hands-on clinical training typically not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Murrysville PA health care community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Getting your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the Murrysville PA health care community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s crucial to confirm that the final program you select offers classes at times that will accommodate your busy lifestyle. This is especially important if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Murrysville 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. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is should you have to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomist?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's important to reflect on questions you might be asked. Among the questions that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomy Tech prospects is "What drove you to pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not merely the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what qualities and abilities you have that make you outstanding at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of standard interview questions, so you should ready a number of approaches about how you want to answer them. Since there are numerous variables that go into selecting a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the work appeals to you in addition to the strengths you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the leading choice for the job. Don't try to memorize an answer, but write down some ideas and talking points that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Going over sample answers can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to wow the interviewer.

Enroll in the Ideal Phlebotomist Program near Murrysville PA

Making sure that you pick the right phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this fulfilling healthcare field. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be available in a number of educational institutes, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide array of courses in medical care and health sciences. Course options can differ a bit from state to state as every state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to diligently evaluate and compare each school prior to making your final decision. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the ideal program for you. And with the proper training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Murrysville PA.

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