Selecting a Phlebotomist Course near Shippenville Pennsylvania

Enrolling in the right phlebotomy technician training near Shippenville PA is an essential initial step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging task to analyze and compare each of the school options that are accessible to you. However it’s important that you do your due diligence to ensure that you receive a quality education. In fact, many prospective students start the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another option you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and must be part of your selection process as well. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you choose the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomy Technician Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their principal task, there is actually so much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the tools being used are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork has to be accurately completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory screening procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Shippenville PA phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are responsible for making sure that samples are analyzed correctly utilizing the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they may be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The simplest response is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are many and varied, including Shippenville PA hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing blood from a certain kind of patient. For instance, 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 collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients every day.

Phlebotomist Training, Certification and Licensing

There are basically 2 types of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Shippenville PA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to complete and offers a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they normally require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program provide a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. Although not mandated in most 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, including Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a quality education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Certificates and Degrees

To begin with, let’s dispel one potential mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant part of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Shippenville 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 prior to graduation. However since the non-clinical portion of the training can be attended online, it might be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an added benefit, many online classes are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some expenses, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist college you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a premium education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online might be the best option for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Since you now have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already chosen 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 important as well as the tuition expense. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy school. All of these decisions are an important part of the process for selecting a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you should ask about all of the Shippenville PA programs you are reviewing prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomist program that satisfies 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 Program Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you select should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from an assurance of a superior education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools in Shippenville PA. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to potential 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 some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of any colleges you are looking at. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even talk to several Shippenville PA area hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and see if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Ample Training Included? To begin with, contact the Pennsylvania regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Shippenville PA phlebotomist program that you are looking at should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internships Provided? Ask the Pennsylvania colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with local health care facilities. They are the ideal way to get hands-on practical training typically not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Shippenville PA health care community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Getting your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a higher rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation together with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Shippenville PA medical community.

Are Class Times Available as Needed? And last, it’s important to confirm that the ultimate college you pick provides classes at times that are compatible with your active schedule. This is particularly true if you opt to still work while going to college. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Shippenville PA, check that they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option as well. And if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up procedure is should you have to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Become a Phlebotomist?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's important to review questions you may be asked. One of the questions that interviewers often ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What compelled you to choose Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not merely the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what attributes and talents you have that make you outstanding at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of typical interview questions, so you need to organize a number of strategies about how you would like to address them. Given that there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this primary question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the work appeals to you as well as the abilities you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the best choice for the position. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but jot down several concepts and talking points that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can help you to prepare your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to include to impress the recruiter.

Choose the Ideal Phlebotomist School near Shippenville PA

Making certain that you enroll in the most suitable phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomy training programs are available in a number of academic institutions, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide assortment of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program offerings may vary a bit from state to state as each state has its own criteria when it comes to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must carefully screen and compare each school before making your ultimate selection. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the right program for you. And with the appropriate training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Shippenville PA.

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