How to Select the Right Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near University Park Pennsylvania

Choosing the right phlebotomy technician school near University Park PA is a critical initial step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult task to analyze and compare each of the school alternatives that are available to you. However it’s vital that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you receive a quality education. In reality, most prospective students start their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another factor you may 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’s important to keep in mind is that there is far more to checking out 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 selection process too. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing 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 Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

First of all, few people probably know what a phlebotomy tech or phlebotomist is. The basic answer is a health care professional whose job is to draw blood. We will go into more depth later. So of course anyone who decides to enter this profession must be able to handle blood and needles. And if you are anxious in hospitals or other University Park PA medical facilities, well this profession may not be the best choice for you. And then there are the patients. Phlebotomists often work around anxious people who hate needles or having their blood drawn. And because many medical facilities are open around the clock, you will probably be required to work weekends, nights and even on holidays. But if you don’t mind working with the needles and blood, and if you enjoy helping people and are patient and compassionate, this may be the right profession for you.

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Phlebotomy Technician Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their main responsibility, there is actually much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the instruments being utilized are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork must be correctly completed in order to track the sample from the time 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 University Park PA labs and are in charge of making sure that samples are analyzed correctly utilizing the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they may be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The quickest answer is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are numerous and varied, such as University Park PA hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be charged to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a particular type of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Education, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially two kinds of programs that provide phlebotomy training, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to complete and furnishes a basic education as well as 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 phlebotomy degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they normally require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program provide a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will probably want to get certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, most University Park PA employers require certification prior to hiring technicians. A few of the primary 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 call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, such as Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a premium education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Schools

To begin with, let’s dispel one likely misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial portion 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. Many courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical portion of the training can be accessed online, it can be a more practical option for some University Park PA students. As an added benefit, many online colleges are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some expenditures, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy school you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online might be the right option for you.

Topics 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 intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the campus is important if you will be commuting from University Park PA in addition to the tuition expense. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an accredited phlebotomist online school. All of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for picking a phlebotomy program or school. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Following are several questions that you need to ask about each of the schools you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Pennsylvania? As previously mentioned, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for all 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 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 quality education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited colleges. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the University Park PA job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to investigate the reputations of any schools you are reviewing. You can start 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 University Park PA hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and find out if they can provide any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the Pennsylvania school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? 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 classroom and practical. At a minimum, any phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums might signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask the programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with area health care facilities. They are the ideal means to obtain hands-on practical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local University Park PA healthcare community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Finding your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the University Park PA health care community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s critical to confirm that the final school you pick offers classes at times that will accommodate your busy schedule. This is particularly true if you decide to still work while attending school. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near University Park PA, make certain they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option as well. 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 because of illness or emergencies.

Phlebotomy Courses Near Me University Park PA

How To Be A Certified Phlebotomist University Park Pennsylvania

Making sure that you choose the ideal phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding medical care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomy training programs are found in a number of academic institutions, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive assortment of programs in medical care and health sciences. Course offerings may differ a bit across the country as each state has its own requirements when it comes to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to thoroughly evaluate and compare each college prior to making your ultimate choice. You originally came to this website due to an interest in How To Be A Certified Phlebotomist and to get more information regarding Find Phlebotomy Tech Education Near Me.  However, by addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the right phlebotomist program for you. And with the appropriate education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in University Park PA.

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