How to Find the Best Phlebotomist Training Program near New Oxford Pennsylvania

Selecting the right phlebotomy school near New Oxford PA is an essential first step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting undertaking to analyze and compare all of the training options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you obtain a superior education. In fact, many prospective students begin their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional factor you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and should be part of your decision process as well. To assist in that effort, we will supply 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 prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online schools.

Request Free Information on Phlebotomy Training Near You!

Should You Go to School to Become a Plebotomist?

Right out of the gate, not many people probably know what a phlebotomist or phlebotomy technician is. The basic answer is a health care professional whose job is to draw blood. We will go into more depth later. So naturally anyone who chooses this profession must be able to handle needles and blood. And if you are not comfortable in hospitals or other New Oxford PA medical facilities, well this profession may not be right for you. And now let’s talk about the patients. Phlebotomy Techs often work with nervous people who hate needles or having a blood sample taken. And because most health care facilities are open around the clock, you will probably 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 helping people and are patient and compassionate, this may be the right profession for you.

Click Here to Get Free Information on Phlebotomy Training Near You!

Phlebotomy Tech Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their principal task, there is actually much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the instruments being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork needs to be accurately filled out to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many phlebotomists in fact work in New Oxford PA laboratories and are accountable for ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly under the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they might be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The simplest answer is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are numerous and varied, including New Oxford PA hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a particular type of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be collecting blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially 2 kinds of programs that offer phlebotomy training, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to finish and offers a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they normally take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program offer a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will probably want to become certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, many New Oxford PA employers require certification prior to employing 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 phlebotomist, like Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a superior education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Classes

To begin with, let’s resolve one possible misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial part of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved healthcare facility or an on-campus lab. Many courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-practical part of the training can be attended online, it could be a more practical option for many New Oxford PA students. As an added benefit, a number of online programs are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a premium education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the best choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Now that you have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already picked the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the school is significant if you will be commuting from New Oxford PA as well as the cost of tuition. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an accredited online phlebotomist college. All of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for choosing a phlebotomy school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Following are some questions that you should ask about all of the schools you are reviewing before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomist program that satisfies 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 phlebotomy school and program you choose should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited school in addition to a guarantee of a superior education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited schools. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to future employers in the New Oxford PA job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s important to check out the reputations of any colleges you are considering. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even talk to some New Oxford PA hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest 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 grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? To begin with, check with 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. As a minimum, any phlebotomy program that you are looking at should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums might indicate that the program is not expansive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Find out from the colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with local health care facilities. They are the ideal means to obtain hands-on practical training often not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local New Oxford PA medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Landing your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the New Oxford PA healthcare community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s critical to verify that the ultimate program you pick provides classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is especially true if you decide to still work while going to school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near New Oxford PA, check that they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option also. And if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is should you have to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Local Phlebotomy Classes New Oxford PA

US Colleges Phlebotomy New Oxford Pennsylvania

Making certain that you enroll in the ideal phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling healthcare field. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are available in a number of academic institutes, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive assortment of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Program offerings can differ a bit from state to state as every state has its own criteria when it pertains to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must carefully screen and compare each college before making your final selection. You originally came to this website due to an interest in US Colleges Phlebotomy and to get more information regarding How Much Does It Cost To Become A Phlebotomist.  However, by addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the right phlebotomist college for you. And with the proper training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in New Oxford PA.

More Pennsylvania Bloody Wonderful Locations

Affordable Phlebotomy Classes Paxinos PA

Find Drawing Blood Schools Wynnewood PA

Colleges That Offer Phlebotomy Programs Lansdale PA

Phlebotomy School Near Me Lykens PA

Find Phlebotomy Education Waterford PA

Education Needed To Be A Phlebotomist Towanda PA

Phlebotomy Certification Training Lehigh Valley PA

Phlebotomy Certification Schools Near Me Tunkhannock PA

Phlebotomist Class Coraopolis PA

Phlebotomy School Online Cornwall PA