How to Choose the Right Phlebotomy Tech School near Jermyn Pennsylvania
Picking the ideal phlebotomy school near Jermyn PA is an essential initial step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting task to investigate and compare each of the school alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you do your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a quality education. In fact, many potential students begin their search by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another factor you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online classes later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and should 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 evaluating to help you pick the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our discussion about online schools.
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Should You Choose a Career as a Plebotomist?
Right out of the gate, not many people are likely to know what a phlebotomist or phlebotomy technician is. The short 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 able to handle blood and needles. And if you are not comfortable in hospitals or other Jermyn PA medical environments, well this profession probably is not the best choice for you. And then there are the patients. Phlebotomists often work with nervous people who don’t like needles or having a blood sample drawn. And because many medical 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 don’t mind working with the blood and needles, and if you enjoy helping people and are compassionate and very patient, this could be the right job for you.
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Phlebotomy Technician Career Description
A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their principal function, there is actually so much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must check that the tools being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample has to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork must be accurately 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 in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of phlebotomists in fact work in Jermyn PA labs and are accountable for ensuring that samples are tested correctly using the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they may be asked to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.
Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?
The quickest response is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are numerous and diverse, such as Jermyn PA medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a certain kind of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients each day.
Phlebotomy Technician Education, Licensing and Certification
There are primarily two types of programs that provide phlebotomist training, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to finish and provides a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they usually take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program offer a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. Although not mandated in most states, many Jermyn PA employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. Some of the main certifying organizations include:
- National Phlebotomy Association
- National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
- American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
- American Medical Technologists (AMT)
There are some states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, such as California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a superior education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.
Online Phlebotomy Colleges
To start with, let’s resolve one potential mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A good portion of the course of study will be clinical 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 in order to graduate. However since the non-practical portion of the training may be attended online, it might be a more convenient alternative for many Jermyn PA students. As an added benefit, some online colleges are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some costs, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy program you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a quality education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online might be the ideal option for you.
What to Ask Phlebotomy Programs
Since you now have a general idea 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 previously mentioned, the location of the college is significant if you will be commuting from Jermyn PA as well as the cost of tuition. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an accredited online phlebotomist college. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for choosing a phlebotomy program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Following are some questions that you need to ask about all of the programs you are looking at before making your ultimate decision.
Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for any exams you may have to take.
Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you choose should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a quality education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are often not available for non-accredited schools. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to future employers in the Jermyn PA job market.
What is the Program’s Ranking? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to check the reputations of all schools you are considering. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even check with a few Jermyn PA hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and see if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and ask if any complaints 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 find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any phlebotomy program that you are looking at should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to offer sufficient training.
Are Internships Included? Ask the programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with regional health care facilities. They are the optimal way to receive hands-on clinical training frequently not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Jermyn PA health care community. And they look good on resumes as well.
Is Job Placement Support Offered? Landing your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the support 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 the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation together with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Jermyn PA medical community.
Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s critical to make sure that the ultimate school you choose offers classes at times that will accommodate your busy schedule. This is particularly true if you choose to still work while attending college. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Jermyn 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 attend online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is in case you have to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.
Can You Take Phlebotomy Classes Online Jermyn PA
Where To Get A Phlebotomy Certificate Jermyn Pennsylvania
Making sure that you enroll in the right phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding medical care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are found in a wide range of academic institutions, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide assortment of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program offerings can differ somewhat from state to state as every state has its own requirements when it pertains to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must thoroughly research and compare each school before making your ultimate choice. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Where To Get A Phlebotomy Certificate and to get more information regarding How To Become A Certified Phlebotomist. However, by asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the right phlebotomist school for you. And with the proper training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Jermyn PA.
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Jermyn, Pennsylvania
Jermyn, known as "The Birthplace of First Aid in America," is a borough in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, on the Lackawanna River, 12 miles (19 km) northeast of Scranton. A productive anthracite coal field was in the region in 1900 when 2,567 people lived here. In 1910, 3,158 residents of Jermyn were tallied. In the early years of the twentieth century, coal mines, cut-glass works, silk, powder, grist, planing, and saw mills, bottling works, and fertilizer factories dotted the borough. The population was 2,169 at the 2010 census. Jermyn is the mailing address of the Lakeland School District. The section of town east of the Lackawanna River and west of the small section of Archbald known as "Nebraska", East Jermyn is commonly referred to as "Calico Lane" or "The Lane". Jermyn was incorporated as a borough in 1870 and celebrated its Centennial in 1970 with a week-long celebration.
As of the census[8] of 2010, there were 2,169 people, 951 households, and 581 families residing in the borough. The population density was 2,711.3 people per square mile (1,046.8/km²). There were 1,017 housing units at an average density of 1,271.3 per square mile (496.6/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 96.8% White, 1.1% African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.6% from other races, and 0.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.1% of the population.
There were 951 households, out of which 24.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43% were married couples living together, 13.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.9% were non-families. 32.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.87.
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