Selecting a Phlebotomy Training Program near Shamokin Dam Pennsylvania

Enrolling in the right phlebotomist school near Shamokin Dam PA is an essential initial step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging task to evaluate and compare each of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you receive a quality education. In reality, many students begin the process by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional option you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll discuss more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and must be part of your decision process too. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you choose the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomist Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their main responsibility, there is actually much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the instruments being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be accurately filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers 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. A number of Shamokin Dam PA phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are accountable for making sure that samples are tested properly using the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they might be required to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The simplest response is wherever there are patients. Their work places are many and varied, such as Shamokin Dam PA hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a certain type of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be collecting blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially 2 kinds of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Shamokin Dam PA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to complete and offers a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they usually take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program provide a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, a number of employers look for certification before hiring technicians. A few of the main 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 phlebotomist, like California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a superior education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Training

To start with, let’s dispel one possible mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial portion of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Shamokin Dam 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. However since the non-clinical part of the training may be accessed online, it could be a more practical alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, many online schools are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenses, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced also. Just verify that the online phlebotomy school you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the right option for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Now that you have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already selected the kind 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 college is important as well as the cost of tuition. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomist online school. All of these decisions are an important part of the process for picking a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are a few questions that you should ask about all of the Shamokin Dam PA programs you are considering before making your ultimate decision.

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

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you select should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a superior education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are typically not available for non-accredited schools in Shamokin Dam PA. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s important to check the reputations of any colleges you are looking at. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even contact a few Shamokin Dam PA area hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and see if they can offer any insights. As a closing thought, you can check with the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Adequate Training Included? 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 length of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Shamokin Dam PA phlebotomy program that you are considering should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask the Pennsylvania colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with local health care facilities. They are the optimal way to obtain hands-on practical training often not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Shamokin Dam PA health care community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Landing your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Shamokin Dam PA medical community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s important to verify that the ultimate college you choose provides classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is especially important if you decide to continue working while going to school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Shamokin Dam 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 study online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up procedure is should you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's advantageous to consider questions you may be asked. Among the questions that interviewers frequently ask Phlebotomy Tech prospects is "What made you select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not only the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what qualities and skills you have that make you good at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of general interview questions, so you need to prepare several strategies about how you would like to address them. Because there are several variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the abilities you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Technician and the ideal choice for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but write down some concepts and anecdotes that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can help you to develop your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to include to impress the recruiter.

Find the Right Phlebotomy Course near Shamokin Dam PA

Making certain that you pick the most suitable phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomist training programs can be found in a variety of academic institutions, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive range of programs in medical care and health sciences. Course offerings may differ somewhat across the country as every state has its own criteria when it pertains to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must carefully screen and compare each college before making your ultimate decision. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the best college for you. And with the proper training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Shamokin Dam PA.

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