Choosing a Phlebotomist Course near Newtown Pennsylvania

Picking the ideal phlebotomy technician training near Newtown PA is an important initial step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult undertaking to investigate and compare each of the school options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you obtain a superior education. In reality, many students start the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional factor you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll talk more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and should be part of your decision process as well. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you select the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomy Technician Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their principal task, there is actually much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the tools being utilized are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork needs to be accurately filled out in order 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 can be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Newtown PA phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are responsible for ensuring that samples are tested properly under the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they can be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The most basic response is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are numerous and varied, such as Newtown PA hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be charged to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a particular kind of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be collecting blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Education, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially 2 types of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Newtown PA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to finish and offers a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they normally require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program provide a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. Although not mandated in most states, many employers look for certification before hiring technicians. Some of the main 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 in order to practice as a phlebotomist, including Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a superior education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Schools

First, let’s resolve one likely mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial part of the course of study will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Newtown 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. However since the non-practical portion of the training can be accessed online, it could be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, many online schools are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some expenditures, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist program you enroll in 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 approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Now that you have a basic understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already selected the type of program you wish 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 cost of tuition. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist college. Each of these decisions are an important part of the process for choosing a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you need to ask about all of the Newtown PA programs you are reviewing before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As previously mentioned, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for any examinations you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you enroll in should be accredited by a recognized national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from a guarantee of a premium education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited schools in Newtown PA. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of all colleges you are looking at. 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 research internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also check with several Newtown PA area hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and find out if they can provide any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Adequate Training Provided? First, 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 classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Newtown PA phlebotomy program that you are considering should furnish 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 furnish sufficient training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Find out from the Pennsylvania colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with local medical facilities. They are the optimal means to obtain hands-on practical training frequently not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local Newtown PA health care community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Getting your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Find out if the colleges you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Newtown PA medical community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s important to confirm that the final school you choose provides classes at times that are compatible with your busy schedule. This is particularly important if you decide to still work while attending school. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Newtown PA, make certain they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option as well. And 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 need to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you might be asked. One of the questions that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomy Tech candidates is "What compelled you to decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not merely the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what attributes and talents you possess that make you outstanding at your profession. You will likely be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of typical interview questions, so you must organize some strategies about how you would like to respond to them. Given that there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the talents you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the leading choice for the position. Don't try to memorize an answer, but write down several ideas and topics 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 wow the interviewer.

Enroll in the Right Phlebotomy College near Newtown PA

Making sure that you choose the ideal phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomy training programs can be available in a wide range of educational institutions, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide assortment of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Course offerings can vary slightly from state to state as each state has its own mandates when it concerns phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must diligently research and compare each school before making your ultimate decision. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the ideal program for you. And with the proper training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Newtown PA.

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