Picking a Phlebotomist Training Program near Oakmont Pennsylvania

Choosing the right phlebotomist school near Oakmont PA is an important initial step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging task to analyze and compare all of the school options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you perform your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a quality education. In reality, most potential students begin their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Another option you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll review a bit more about online classes later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and should be part of your selection process too. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you pick the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomist Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their principal responsibility, there is actually so much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the tools being utilized are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork must be accurately filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers 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. A number of Oakmont PA phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are in charge of ensuring that samples are tested properly utilizing the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they might be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The quickest answer is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are many and varied, including Oakmont PA hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a certain kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Training, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially 2 types of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Oakmont PA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to finish and provides a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they usually require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program offer a more expansive background in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will probably want to be certified. Although not mandated in most states, a number of employers look for certification before hiring technicians. Some of the key certifying organizations include:

• National Phlebotomy Association
• National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
• American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
• American Medical Technologists (AMT)

There are a few states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, such as Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a superior education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Certificates and Degrees

First, let’s dispel one potential mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A good component of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Oakmont 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 attended online, it may be a more convenient option for some students. As an added benefit, many online classes are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a premium education with this method of 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 Programs

Now that you have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already chosen 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 campus is relevant in addition to the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy school. All of these decisions are an important part of the process for selecting a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you should ask about each of the Oakmont PA programs you are looking at prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Pennsylvania? As previously mentioned, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be working and preps you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you pick should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a premium education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited colleges in Oakmont PA. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of any schools 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 research internet school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also contact several Oakmont PA local hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and ask if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Included? To begin with, check with the Pennsylvania regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Oakmont PA phlebotomist 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 might signify that the program is not expansive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask the Pennsylvania schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with area healthcare facilities. They are the ideal means to obtain hands-on practical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Oakmont PA healthcare community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Offered? Getting your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a higher rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Oakmont PA health care community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s critical to make sure that the ultimate school you select offers classes at times that are compatible with your busy lifestyle. This is particularly important if you opt to continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Oakmont PA, make sure they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is should you need to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's a good idea to consider questions you may be asked. One of the things that hiring managers often ask Phlebotomy Tech prospects is "What compelled you to choose Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not only the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what characteristics and abilities you have that make you good at your profession. You will probably be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of typical interview questions, so you should prepare some approaches about how you want to answer them. Because there are several variables that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the profession interests you along with the abilities you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the ideal choice for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but take down several concepts and topics that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample responses can help you to formulate your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.

Select the Best Phlebotomy School near Oakmont PA

Making sure that you enroll in the most suitable phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding health care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior school. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be offered in a wide range of academic institutions, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide range of courses in medical care and health sciences. Course offerings may vary a bit from state to state as each state has its own requirements when it comes to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to carefully research and compare each college prior to making your final selection. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the ideal college for you. And with the appropriate training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Oakmont PA.

Learn About Oakmont Pennsylvania

 

 

More Interesting Pennsylvania Cities

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Paradise PA 17562

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Petersburg PA 16669

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Skippack PA 19474

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Westover PA 16692

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Coopersburg PA 18036

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Valley Forge PA 19481

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Marcus Hook PA 19061

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Coal Center PA 15423

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Wernersville PA 19565

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Phoenixville PA 19460