Choosing a Phlebotomy Course near West Grove Pennsylvania

Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomist school near West Grove PA is an important initial step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging undertaking to assess and compare each of the training alternatives that are available to you. However it’s important that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you receive a superior education. In fact, a large number of potential students begin the process by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional factor you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review more about online classes later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and should be part of your selection process also. To assist in that effort, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you pick 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.

Phlebotomy Technician Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their principal function, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to confirm that the tools being utilized are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork has to be properly completed in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing process. 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. Some West Grove PA phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are responsible for making certain that samples are tested correctly utilizing the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they can be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The most basic answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are many and varied, such as West Grove PA medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing blood from a specific type of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients every day.

Phlebotomist Training, Certification and Licensing

There are basically two types of programs that offer phlebotomy training in West Grove PA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to complete and offers a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomist. 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 usually require 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program offer a more expansive background in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. Although not mandated in most states, a number of employers look for certification prior to employing technicians. A few of the principal certifying agencies include:

• National Phlebotomy Association
• National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
• American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
• American Medical Technologists (AMT)

There are some states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, including Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a quality education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Classes

To begin with, let’s resolve one possible mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant part of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved West Grove 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. But since the non-practical component of the training can be accessed online, it may be a more practical option for some students. As an added benefit, many online programs are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some expenses, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomy school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a quality education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the right option for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Since you now have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already decided on 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 campus is significant in addition to the cost of tuition. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy school. All of these decisions are a critical part of the process for picking a program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you need to ask about each of the West Grove PA schools you are considering before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Pennsylvania? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be working and prepares you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you enroll in should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of 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 take a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited programs in West Grove PA. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to check out the reputations of all colleges you are looking at. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even contact some West Grove PA local clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and ask if they can provide any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Plenty of 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 length of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any West Grove PA phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Find out from the Pennsylvania colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with regional health care facilities. They are the ideal way to obtain hands-on clinical training typically not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local West Grove PA healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Available? Getting your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a higher rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the West Grove PA health care community.

Are Class Times Available as Needed? And last, it’s crucial to confirm that the ultimate school you choose offers classes at times that will accommodate your busy lifestyle. This is especially important if you decide to continue working while attending college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near West Grove PA, check that they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option also. And if you have decided to attend 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 emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomist?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's helpful to review questions you could be asked. One of the questions that interviewers typically ask Phlebotomist prospects is "What drove you to pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not merely the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what characteristics and abilities you have that make you exceptional at your profession. You will likely be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of standard interview questions, so you should organize some strategies about how you want to address them. Given that there are several variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession appeals to you in addition to the strengths you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the ideal candidate for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but jot down several concepts and talking points that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can assist you to formulate your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.

Choose the Best Phlebotomy Program near West Grove PA

Making certain that you choose the right phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomist training programs can be found in a wide range of academic institutions, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program offerings can vary a bit from state to state as each state has its own requirements when it concerns phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must thoroughly research and compare each college prior to making your final decision. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the right school for you. And with the appropriate training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in West Grove PA.

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