How to Find the Best Phlebotomy Tech Training Program near Ellsworth Pennsylvania

Enrolling in the right phlebotomy technician school near Ellsworth PA is a critical first step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting task to assess and compare each of the school options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a quality education. In reality, a large number of students begin the process by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another factor you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and must be part of your decision process too. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you pick the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online training.

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Should You Choose a Career as a Plebotomist?

Right out of the gate, not many people probably know what a phlebotomy tech or phlebotomist is. The basic definition is a health care professional who draws blood from patients. We will go into more depth later. So of course anyone who selects this profession must be OK around needles and blood. And if you are not comfortable in hospitals or other Ellsworth PA medical environments, well this job probably is not right for you. And now let’s talk about the patients. Phlebotomy Technicians routinely work with anxious people who don’t like needles or having their blood taken. And because most health care facilities are open around the clock, you will probably be required to work weekends, evenings and, you guessed it even on holidays. But if you can handle the hours and the blood and needles, and if you enjoy interacting with people and are patient and compassionate, this may be the right profession for you.

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Phlebotomist Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their principal task, there is actually much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to confirm that the instruments being utilized are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork must be correctly filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some phlebotomists actually work in Ellsworth PA labs and are accountable for ensuring that samples are analyzed properly utilizing the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they might be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The easiest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their workplaces are many and diverse, including Ellsworth PA medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a specific type of patient. For instance, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients every day.

Phlebotomy Education, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially 2 types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to finish and furnishes a general education together 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 specifically a phlebotomy degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they normally require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program provide a more extensive background in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will probably want to be certified. While not required in the majority of states, many Ellsworth PA employers require certification prior to employing technicians. A few 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 call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, like Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you choose a phlebotomist 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.

Phlebotomist Online Schools

First, let’s dispel one potential mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant component of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved healthcare facility or an on-campus lab. A large number of courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-practical part of the training may be accessed online, it could be a more convenient option for many Ellsworth PA students. As an added benefit, many online classes are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some expenditures, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy program you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a premium education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Since you now have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the campus is significant if you will be commuting from Ellsworth PA as well as the cost of tuition. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an accredited online phlebotomy school. All of these decisions are an important component of the process for choosing a phlebotomy school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Following are some questions that you need to ask about all of the schools you are reviewing prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Pennsylvania? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. 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 readies you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you enroll in should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited program aside from a guarantee of a premium education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited colleges. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to potential employers in the Ellsworth PA job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to investigate the reputations of any colleges you are looking at. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also contact a few Ellsworth PA hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and see if they can provide any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Adequate Training Provided? First, contact the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Find out from the schools you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with local healthcare facilities. They are the ideal means to get hands-on clinical training often not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Ellsworth PA medical community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Available? Finding your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation together with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Ellsworth PA healthcare community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s crucial to make sure that the ultimate school you select offers classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is especially important if you opt to still work while attending school. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near Ellsworth PA, make sure they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option also. And if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is in case you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Phlebotomy School Ellsworth PA

Certified Phlebotomy Technician Schools Ellsworth Pennsylvania

Making sure that you pick the most suitable phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are offered in a number of academic institutions, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive range of courses in medical care and health sciences. Course offerings can vary a bit from state to state as each state has its own requirements when it pertains to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must carefully research and compare each program before making your ultimate choice. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Certified Phlebotomy Technician Schools and to get more information regarding Phlebotomist Course Cost.  However, by asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the right phlebotomy program for you. And with the proper training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Ellsworth PA.

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