How to Pick the Right Phlebotomist Training Program near Fishertown Pennsylvania
Selecting the ideal phlebotomy technician training near Fishertown PA is a critical initial step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult undertaking to investigate and compare each of the training 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 fact, most potential students start the process by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another factor you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and must be part of your selection process also. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you pick the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online classes.
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Should You Train to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?
First of all, not many people probably know what a phlebotomist or phlebotomy technician is. The short definition is a health care professional whose job is to draw blood. We will go into more depth later. So naturally anyone who selects this profession must be comfortable with needles and blood. And if you are anxious in hospitals or other Fishertown PA medical environments, well this job probably is not the best choice for you. And then there are the patients. Phlebotomists often work around nervous people who don’t like needles or having a blood sample drawn. And because most health care facilities are open around the clock, you may be required to work weekends, evenings and, you guessed it even on holidays. But if you don’t mind working with the blood and needles, and if you enjoy interacting with people and are patient and compassionate, this may be the right job for you.
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Phlebotomy Technician Job Summary
A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their main function, there is actually much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork must be properly filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab testing process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many phlebotomists actually work in Fishertown PA laboratories and are in charge of making certain that samples are tested correctly using the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they may be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.
Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?
The easiest answer is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are many and varied, including Fishertown PA medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a particular kind of patient. For instance, those working 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 drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients each day.
Phlebotomist Training, Certification and Licensing
There are primarily 2 kinds of programs that provide phlebotomist training, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to complete and provides a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they usually require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program provide a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. While not required in the majority of states, a number of Fishertown PA employers require certification prior to hiring technicians. Some 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 phlebotomy tech, including Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a superior education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.
Phlebotomist Online Colleges
To begin with, let’s dispel one potential misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A good component of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved healthcare facility or an on-campus lab. Numerous courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical component of the training may be accessed online, it may be a more practical alternative for some Fishertown PA students. As an added benefit, many online classes are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenses, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the best option for you.
Subjects to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges
Since you now have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already selected the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the school is significant if you will be commuting from Fishertown PA in addition to the cost of tuition. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an accredited phlebotomist online program. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the process for picking a phlebotomy program or school. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are several questions that you need to ask about each of the colleges you are considering prior to making your final selection.
Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomist program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be working and preps you for all examinations you may be required to take.
Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you pick should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a premium education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited programs. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to potential employers in the Fishertown PA job market.
What is the School’s Reputation? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of all schools you are reviewing. 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 check with a few Fishertown PA hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and find out if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.
Is Enough Training Provided? To begin with, contact the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any phlebotomy program that you are considering should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.
Are Internships Provided? Ask the schools you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with local medical facilities. They are the ideal way to obtain hands-on practical training often not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Fishertown PA medical community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.
Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Finding your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Find out if the colleges you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation together with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Fishertown PA medical community.
Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to make sure that the final college you select offers classes at times that are compatible with your active schedule. This is especially true if you choose to continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Fishertown PA, make certain they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option also. Even if you have decided to attend 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 have to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.
Phlebotomy Skills Fishertown PA
6 Week Phlebotomy Course Fishertown Pennsylvania
Making sure that you pick the right phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying health care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be found in a wide range of academic institutes, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide array of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Program offerings can vary slightly from state to state as every state has its own requirements when it pertains to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must diligently screen and compare each school before making your final decision. You originally came to this website due to an interest in 6 Week Phlebotomy Course and to get more information regarding Courses For Taking Blood. However, by addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the right phlebotomy school for you. And with the appropriate training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Fishertown PA.
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Chestnut Ridge School District
The Chestnut Ridge School District covers the Boroughs of New Paris, Pleasantville, St. Clairsville and Schellsburg and East St. Clair Township, Juniata Township, King Township, Lincoln Township, Napier Township, Pavia Township and West St. Clair Township in Bedford County, Pennsylvania. It encompasses approximately 225 square miles. According to 2000 federal census data, it serves a resident population of 10,727. By 2010, the district's population declined to 10,677 people.[7] The educational attainment levels for the Chestnut Ridge School District population (25 years old and over) were 89.1% high school graduates and 10.5% college graduates.[8] The district is one of the 500 public school districts of Pennsylvania.
According to the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center, 44.7% of the Chestnut Ridge School District's pupils lived at 185% or below the Federal Poverty Level[9] as shown by their eligibility for the federal free or reduced price school meal programs in 2012.[10] In 2009, the district residents’ per capita income was $15,142, while the median family income was $36,724.[11] In the Commonwealth, the median family income was $49,501[12] and the United States median family income was $49,445, in 2010.[13] In Bedford County, the median household income was $43,290.[14] By 2013, the median household income in the United States rose to $52,100.[15] In 2014, the median household income in the USA was $53,700.[16]
According to district officials, in school year 2009–10 the Chestnut Ridge School District provided basic educational services to 1,592 pupils through the employment of 129 teachers, 86 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 10 administrators. Chestnut Ridge School District received more than $12 million in state funding in school year 2009-10. In school year 2005–06, Chestnut Ridge School District enrollment was 1,779 pupils. Chestnut Ridge School District employed: 122 teachers, 78 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 10 administrators. Chestnut Ridge School District received more than $10 million in state funding in school year 2005–06.[17]
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