How to Enroll in the Right Phlebotomy Technician School near Imperial Pennsylvania

Selecting the ideal phlebotomy training near Imperial PA is a critical initial step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult task to analyze and compare all of the training alternatives that are accessible to you. However it’s important that you perform your due diligence to make sure that you receive a superior education. In reality, most students start the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another factor you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll review a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your selection process also. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you choose the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online schools.

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Should You Become a Plebotomist?

Right out of the gate, not many people are likely to know what a phlebotomist or phlebotomy technician is. The basic definition is a medical professional whose job is to draw blood. We will provide more details later. So naturally anyone who decides to enter this profession must be OK around blood and needles. And if you are anxious in hospitals or other Imperial PA medical environments, well this profession may not be the best choice for you. And now let’s talk about the patients. Phlebotomy Technicians routinely work with anxious people who hate needles or having their blood drawn. And because many medical facilities are open 24 hours, you may be required to work weekends, evenings and even on holidays. But if you can handle the hours and the blood and needles, and if you enjoy interacting with people and are compassionate and very patient, this could be the perfect job for you.

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Phlebotomy Technician Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their principal function, there is actually much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the instruments being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork has to be correctly completed to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab testing process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many phlebotomists actually work in Imperial PA laboratories and are accountable for ensuring that samples are tested properly using the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they might be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The quickest response is wherever there are patients. Their work places are many and varied, including Imperial PA medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a particular type of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially 2 kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomy training, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to finish and offers a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they typically require 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program provide a more extensive background in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, a number of Imperial PA employers look for certification before hiring technicians. A few of the main certifying agencies 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, such as California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a superior education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Training

To start with, let’s resolve one possible mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant portion of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved healthcare facility or an on-campus lab. Many courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-clinical component of the training can be attended online, it may be a more convenient alternative for many Imperial PA students. As an additional benefit, a number of online classes are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some costs, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, 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 clinical and online training, you can receive a quality education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online might be the right choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Since you now have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might 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 campus is significant if you will be commuting from Imperial PA in addition to the tuition expense. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an accredited online phlebotomy college. All of these decisions are an important part of the process for selecting a phlebotomy program or school. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you should ask about all of the schools you are looking at before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? 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. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be working and readies you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you enroll in should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a quality education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited schools. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the Imperial PA job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to check the reputations of any schools you are considering. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their students as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even contact several Imperial PA clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and ask 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 submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Provided? First, contact 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. As a minimum, any phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Find out from the schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with regional medical facilities. They are the ideal means to receive hands-on clinical training often not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local Imperial PA healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Available? Finding your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation together with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Imperial PA health care community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s important to verify that the final program you select offers classes at times that will accommodate your busy schedule. This is especially true if you choose to continue working while going to college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Imperial PA, make sure they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up procedure is in case you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

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Phlebotomist Technician Training Imperial Pennsylvania

Making certain that you select the most suitable phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding healthcare career position. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are found in a number of academic institutions, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive range of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Program options can vary slightly across the country as each state has its own criteria when it pertains to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to diligently screen and compare each college before making your ultimate selection. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Phlebotomist Technician Training and to get more information regarding Phlebotomy Online.  However, by asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the best phlebotomy program for you. And with the proper education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Imperial PA.

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