Picking a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Sharpsville Pennsylvania

Choosing the ideal phlebotomist training near Sharpsville PA is a critical initial step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting task to investigate and compare each of the school options that are accessible to you. However it’s important that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a superior education. In reality, many potential students start the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional factor you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll discuss a bit 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 closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and must be part of your selection 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 pick the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomy Technician Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their primary responsibility, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the tools being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork must be accurately completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab testing procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many Sharpsville PA phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are responsible for making certain that samples are analyzed correctly under the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they may be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The most basic response is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are numerous and varied, such as Sharpsville PA hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing blood from a certain kind of patient. For instance, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be collecting blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Education, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially two types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Sharpsville PA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to finish and provides a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they normally require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program furnish a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will probably want to become certified. While not required in the majority of states, a number of employers require certification before employing technicians. Some of the principal 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, including California and Nevada. 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 readies you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Certificates and Degrees

To begin with, let’s resolve one possible misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial portion of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Sharpsville PA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-practical part of the training can be attended online, it could be a more convenient option for some students. As an additional benefit, a number of online programs are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenditures, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy program 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 quality education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online may be the right choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Now that you have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already selected the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Pennsylvania campus is relevant as well as the cost of tuition. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomist online college. All of these decisions are an important part of the process for choosing a program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are several questions that you should ask about all of the Sharpsville PA schools you are considering prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, 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 practical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. 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 practicing and readies you for any examinations you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting organization, such as 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. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Sharpsville PA. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s important to check the reputations of any colleges you are considering. 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 ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even talk to several Sharpsville PA area hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and see 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 colleges are in full compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Included? To begin with, check with 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. At a minimum, any Sharpsville PA phlebotomist program that you are considering should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Find out from the Pennsylvania colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional healthcare facilities. They are the ideal way to obtain hands-on clinical training typically not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Sharpsville PA healthcare community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Finding your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Sharpsville PA medical community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s crucial to verify that the ultimate college you select provides classes at times that are compatible with your hectic lifestyle. This is particularly true if you choose to continue working while attending school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Sharpsville PA, make certain they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option also. Even if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask 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 Phlebotomist?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's important to consider questions you may be asked. Among the things that interviewers typically ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What drove you to decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not only the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but also what characteristics and skills you possess that make you good at your profession. You will probably be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of routine interview questions, so you should organize some strategies about how you want to address them. Because there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the talents you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Technician and the leading candidate for the position. Don't try to memorize an answer, but take down a few ideas and talking points that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample answers can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to impress the interviewer.

Choose the Ideal Phlebotomist School near Sharpsville PA

Making sure that you select the most suitable phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding healthcare field. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a superior college. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be available in a variety of academic institutes, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide assortment of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program options may differ slightly across the country as each state has its own criteria when it pertains to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must diligently screen and compare each program before making your final selection. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the ideal school for you. And with the proper education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Sharpsville PA.

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