How to Find the Right Phlebotomy Tech Training Classes near Canonsburg Pennsylvania

Enrolling in the right phlebotomist training near Canonsburg PA is an essential initial step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting undertaking to investigate and compare all of the school options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you receive a superior education. In fact, a large number of prospective students start their search by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another factor you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll discuss a bit 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 need to be part of your decision process as well. 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 before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online training.

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Should You Become a Plebotomist?

First of all, few people probably know what a phlebotomist or phlebotomy technician is. The basic definition is a medical professional who draws blood from patients. We will go into more depth later. So naturally anyone who chooses this profession must be OK around blood and needles. And if you are anxious in hospitals or other Canonsburg PA medical facilities, well this profession probably is not right for you. And then there are the patients. Phlebotomy Technicians routinely work around anxious people who don’t like needles or having a blood sample taken. And because most health care facilities are open around the clock, you will probably be expected to work weekends, evenings and even on holidays. But if you can handle the hours and the blood and needles, and if you enjoy helping people and are compassionate and very patient, this could be the perfect profession for you.

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Phlebotomy Technician Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their principal duty, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork needs to be correctly filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many phlebotomists actually work in Canonsburg PA labs and are accountable for ensuring that samples are tested properly under the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they might be asked to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The most basic answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are many and diverse, such as Canonsburg PA hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be charged to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a particular kind of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Training, Licensing and Certification

There are basically 2 types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to complete and provides a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they normally require 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program provide a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. While not required in most states, many Canonsburg PA employers require certification before hiring 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 several states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, including California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only furnishes a quality education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Certificates and Degrees

To begin with, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant component of the course of study will be practical training and it will be performed either in an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility. A large number of courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-clinical part of the training can be attended online, it may be a more practical alternative for many Canonsburg PA students. As an added benefit, some online programs are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some expenditures, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened also. Just verify that the online phlebotomist program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a quality education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the right option for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Now that you have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already picked the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the campus is significant if you will be commuting from Canonsburg PA as well as the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an accredited online phlebotomy college. All of these decisions are an important part of the process for picking a phlebotomy school or program. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are a few questions that you should ask about all of the schools you are reviewing before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Pennsylvania? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed before working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school 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 advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from an assurance of a quality education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited colleges. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the Canonsburg PA job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to check the reputations of any schools you are reviewing. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also check with some Canonsburg PA hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and find out if they can offer any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Adequate Training Included? To begin with, check with the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any 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 lower than these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out from the schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with local healthcare facilities. They are the ideal way to get hands-on practical training often not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Canonsburg PA healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Finding your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the Canonsburg PA health care community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s important to make sure that the ultimate program you pick offers classes at times that will accommodate your active lifestyle. This is particularly important if you choose to still work while attending school. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Canonsburg PA, make certain they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option as well. And if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is in case you need to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Weekend Phlebotomy Classes Canonsburg PA

How To Be A Phlebotomist Canonsburg Pennsylvania

Making sure that you pick the right phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are offered in a wide range of educational institutions, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive range of programs in medical care and health sciences. Training program options can vary somewhat across the country as every state has its own prerequisites when it concerns phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to diligently screen and compare each school prior to making your ultimate choice. You originally came to this website due to an interest in How To Be A Phlebotomist and to get more information regarding Schools For Phlebotomist.  However, by addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the right phlebotomy college for you. And with the appropriate training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Canonsburg PA.

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