Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician School near Shavertown Pennsylvania

Selecting the right phlebotomist training near Shavertown PA is an important initial step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting task to investigate and compare each of the training alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you receive a superior education. In fact, a large number of students begin their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Another option you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll review a bit more about online classes later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and must be part of your selection process also. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you select the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomy Tech Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their principal task, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the tools being employed are single use only and sterile. 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 point of collection through the lab testing procedure. The phlebotomist then transports 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 Shavertown PA phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are responsible for ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly using the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they may be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The quickest response is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are numerous and diverse, such as Shavertown PA medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be charged to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a particular kind of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be collecting blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from new patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially 2 kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Shavertown PA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to finish and provides a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they typically take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program furnish a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. Although not mandated in most states, most employers look for certification before employing technicians. Some of the primary 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, such as California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a premium education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Training

First, let’s resolve one likely misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A good component of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Shavertown PA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-practical part of the training may be attended online, it might be a more practical alternative for some students. As an added benefit, a number of online classes are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some expenses, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced also. Just verify that the online phlebotomy program you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a quality education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the right choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Since you now have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already decided on the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Pennsylvania campus is significant in addition to the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist school. Each of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for picking a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are several questions that you should ask about each of the Shavertown PA colleges you are considering before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you select should be accredited by a recognized regional or national 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 aside from an assurance of a superior education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Shavertown PA. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of any schools you are considering. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their students as part of their job placement program. You can research online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also contact several Shavertown PA local hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and see if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Provided? First, 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 length of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Shavertown 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 less than these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internships Provided? Find out from the Pennsylvania schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with local medical facilities. They are the ideal means to obtain hands-on clinical training often not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Shavertown PA health care community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

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 colleges you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Shavertown PA medical community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to confirm that the final program you pick provides classes at times that will accommodate your active lifestyle. This is especially important if you decide to continue working while going to college. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Shavertown PA, make sure they are offered at those times. Additionally, 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 clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed 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 Choose to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's helpful to review questions you could be asked. Among the things that hiring managers often 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 Phlebotomist, but also what characteristics and abilities you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will likely be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of standard interview questions, so you need to prepare some strategies about how you would like to answer them. Because there are several variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the work appeals to you along with the strengths you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Tech and the leading candidate for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but jot down a few ideas and anecdotes that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample answers can assist you to prepare your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.

Select the Best Phlebotomist Program near Shavertown PA

Making certain that you choose the right phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomist training programs can be offered in a wide range of educational institutions, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide range of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Program offerings may vary somewhat from state to state as every state has its own requirements when it comes to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must diligently evaluate and compare each school before making your final decision. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the best program for you. And with the proper training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Shavertown PA.

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