How to Select the Best Phlebotomy Training Course near New Wilmington Pennsylvania
Picking the right phlebotomist school near New Wilmington PA is an important first step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting undertaking to assess and compare each of the school options that are accessible to you. However it’s vital that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you receive a quality education. In reality, a large number of potential students start their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Another option you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll review more about online schools later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and should be part of your decision 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 best one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online schools.
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Should You Train to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?
Right out of the gate, few people are likely to know what a phlebotomy tech or phlebotomist is. The short definition is a health care professional whose job is to draw blood. We will provide more details later. So of course anyone who decides to enter this profession must be able to handle needles and blood. And if you are anxious in hospitals or other New Wilmington PA medical environments, well this job may not be the best choice for you. And now let’s talk about the patients. Phlebotomy Techs often work with nervous people who don’t like needles or having their blood taken. And because many medical 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 needles and blood, and if you enjoy interacting with people and are patient and compassionate, this may be the perfect profession for you.
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Phlebotomist Work Description
A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their main task, there is in fact much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the tools being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork must be accurately filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory screening procedure. 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 actually work in New Wilmington PA laboratories and are responsible for making certain that samples are analyzed properly under the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they can be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.
Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?
The most basic response is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are many and diverse, such as New Wilmington PA hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be charged to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing blood from a particular kind of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be collecting blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients every day.
Phlebotomist Education, Certification and Licensing
There are essentially 2 types of programs that offer phlebotomist training, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to finish and provides a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they typically take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program furnish a more extensive background in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. While not mandated in most states, a number of New Wilmington PA employers require certification before employing technicians. Some of the key certifying organizations include:
- National Phlebotomy Association
- National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
- American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
- American Medical Technologists (AMT)
There are a few states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, like Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a superior education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.
Online Phlebotomist Training
First, let’s dispel one potential misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A good component of the course of study will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved healthcare facility or an on-campus lab. A large number of courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-clinical portion of the training can be accessed online, it can be a more practical alternative for some New Wilmington PA students. As an added benefit, a number of online programs are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some expenses, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a quality education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the right choice for you.
Topics to Ask Phlebotomy Schools
Since you now have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already selected the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the school is significant if you will be commuting from New Wilmington PA as well as the cost of tuition. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an accredited online phlebotomy program. All of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for picking a phlebotomy program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Following are a few questions that you should ask about all of the colleges you are looking at before making your final selection.
Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Pennsylvania? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomist 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 have to take.
Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you choose should be accredited by a recognized regional or national 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 an assurance of a superior education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are often not available for non-accredited schools. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to future employers in the New Wilmington PA job market.
What is the School’s Ranking? In numerous 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 imperative to investigate the reputations of any colleges you are looking at. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even talk to a few New Wilmington PA hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and find out if they can offer any insights. As a closing 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 Ample Training Provided? To begin with, contact the state regulator where you will be working to find out 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 at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums might signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish adequate training.
Are Internship Programs Included? Find out from the programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with area health care facilities. They are the ideal means to receive hands-on clinical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local New Wilmington PA medical community. And they are a plus on resumes also.
Is Job Placement Support Available? Finding your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are reviewing provide 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 an excellent reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the New Wilmington PA health care community.
Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s critical to confirm that the final college you choose provides classes at times that are compatible with your busy lifestyle. This is particularly true if you decide to continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near New Wilmington PA, check that they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option also. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is should you need to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.
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Complete Phlebotomy Training New Wilmington Pennsylvania
Making certain that you choose the most suitable phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care field. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be available in a number of academic institutions, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide array of courses in medical care and health sciences. Course options can vary a bit across the country as each state has its own requirements when it pertains to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must diligently research and compare each school before making your final selection. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Complete Phlebotomy Training and to get more information regarding Phlebotomy School Online. However, by asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the best phlebotomist college for you. And with the appropriate education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in New Wilmington PA.
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New Wilmington, Pennsylvania
New Wilmington is a borough in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, United States, first platted in 1824 and established as a borough on April 9, 1863. The population was 2,466 at the 2010 census.[5] It is home to Westminster College and serves the Old Order Amish community in the surrounding Wilmington Township.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 1.1 square miles (2.8 km2), of which 1.1 square miles (2.8 km2) is land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km2), or 1.85%, is water.
As of the census[8] of 2000, there were 2,452 people, 577 households, and 324 families residing in the borough. The population density was 2,313.2 people per square mile (893.1/km²). There were 611 housing units at an average density of 576.4 per square mile (222.6/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 98.21% White, 0.57% African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.45% Asian, 0.24% from other races, and 0.33% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.45% of the population. 26.0% were of German, 12.6% Italian, 11.8% Irish, 9.1% English and 7.3% Scotch-Irish ancestry according to Census 2000. 97.9% spoke English and 1.2% Spanish as their first language.
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