Picking a Phlebotomist Course near Reading Pennsylvania

Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomy training near Reading PA is a critical first step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging undertaking to evaluate and compare all of the training options that are accessible to you. However it’s important that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you receive a quality education. In fact, most students start the process by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional option you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and should be part of your selection process too. Toward that end, we will provide 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 continue our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomist Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their primary function, there is in fact much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the instruments being utilized are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be properly filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Reading PA phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are accountable for ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly utilizing the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they can be required to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The simplest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are numerous and varied, including Reading PA hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a particular kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Training, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily 2 types of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Reading PA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to finish and offers a basic education along 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 specifically a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they typically require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program offer a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will probably want to become certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, most employers look for certification before hiring technicians. Some of the primary 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 call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, such as California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a superior education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Training

First, let’s resolve one possible mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant part of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Reading PA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-practical part of the training can be accessed online, it could be a more practical alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, a number of online colleges are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some expenditures, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized also. Just verify that the online phlebotomist school you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a premium education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the ideal choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Now that you have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already decided on the kind of program you intend 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 cost of tuition. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online college. Each of these decisions are an important component of the process for selecting a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you should ask about all of the Reading PA programs you are considering prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Pennsylvania? As earlier discussed, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you pick should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited program aside from an assurance of a quality education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited schools in Reading PA. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to check the reputations of all colleges you are looking at. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their students as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even contact some Reading PA local clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and find out if they can offer any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Included? To begin with, contact the Pennsylvania regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Reading PA phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internships Included? Find out from the Pennsylvania colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with regional medical facilities. They are the optimal means to obtain hands-on practical training frequently not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Reading PA medical community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Finding your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Reading PA healthcare community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s crucial to make sure that the final school you choose offers classes at times that will accommodate your busy lifestyle. This is particularly important if you opt to continue working while going to college. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Reading PA, check that they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option also. And if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is in case you have to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Desire to Become a Phlebotomist?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's important to reflect on questions you could be asked. Among the questions that interviewers often ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What compelled you to decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not only the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what characteristics and talents you have that make you good at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of general interview questions, so you should organize several ideas about how you would like to respond to them. Since there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the strengths you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Technician and the leading candidate for the job. Don't try to memorize an answer, but write down a few concepts and anecdotes that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample answers can help you to develop your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to impress the interviewer.

Enroll in the Right Phlebotomist Program near Reading PA

Making certain that you enroll in the ideal phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying health care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be offered in a wide range of academic institutions, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive assortment of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program options can vary somewhat across the country as every state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must carefully research and compare each school before making your ultimate choice. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the ideal college for you. And with the appropriate training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Reading PA.

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