Selecting a Phlebotomist School near Plymouth Pennsylvania

Choosing the right phlebotomist training near Plymouth PA is an important initial step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult undertaking to evaluate and compare each of the school options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you do your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a quality education. In fact, a large number of students start their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional option you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll talk more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your selection process as well. To assist in that effort, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you choose the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomy Technician Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their main responsibility, there is in fact far more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to confirm that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork must be properly filled out 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 an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Plymouth PA phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are in charge of making certain that samples are tested correctly using the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they can be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The easiest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their workplaces are numerous and varied, including Plymouth PA medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be tasked to collect 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 specific kind of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Training, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily two kinds of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Plymouth PA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to complete and provides a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they typically require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program furnish a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will probably want to become certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, most employers require certification before employing technicians. A few 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 in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, like Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a premium education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Training

First, let’s dispel one likely misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A good part of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Plymouth 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 in order to graduate. But since the non-clinical component of the training may be accessed online, it could be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, many online classes are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some costs, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a superior education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the ideal option for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Since you now have a basic understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already picked the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Pennsylvania school is important as well as the tuition expense. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist program. Each of these decisions are an important part of the process for choosing a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Following are a few questions that you should ask about each of the Plymouth PA programs you are considering before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Pennsylvania? As previously mentioned, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for all exams you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you select should be accredited by a recognized national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited school in addition to a guarantee of a superior education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able 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 frequently not available for non-accredited colleges in Plymouth PA. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to investigate the reputations of all colleges you are reviewing. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their students as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also contact some Plymouth PA area hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and find out if they can provide any insights. 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 Sufficient Training Provided? First, contact 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 classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Plymouth PA phlebotomy program that you are considering should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internships Provided? Ask the Pennsylvania colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership 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 assist students develop relationships within the local Plymouth PA medical community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Getting your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation together with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Plymouth PA healthcare community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to confirm that the final program you select provides classes at times that will accommodate your busy schedule. This is particularly true if you decide to still work while going to college. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Plymouth PA, check that 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 study online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is should you need to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you might be asked. Among the questions that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What compelled you to choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not merely the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what characteristics and abilities you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will probably be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of general interview questions, so you need to organize a number of strategies about how you would like to answer them. Given that there are several factors that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the profession appeals to you along with the talents you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Technician and the leading candidate for the job. Don't try to memorize an answer, but jot down some concepts and anecdotes that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample answers can help you to formulate your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to include to enthuse the recruiter.

Select the Best Phlebotomy Course near Plymouth PA

Making certain that you enroll in the ideal phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior school. Phlebotomy training programs can be available in a variety of educational institutions, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Program offerings can differ a bit across the country as every state has its own criteria when it comes to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to thoroughly screen and compare each college before making your ultimate decision. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the best college for you. And with the proper training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Plymouth PA.

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