Find Phlebotomy Training Near Me in Ellwood City PA 16117

Picking a Phlebotomy Training Course near Ellwood City Pennsylvania

Ellwood City PA phlebotomist taking blood sampleEnrolling in the right phlebotomy technician training near Ellwood City PA is an essential initial step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging undertaking to investigate and compare all of the school options that are available to you. However it’s vital that you do your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a quality education. In fact, many students start their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Another option you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online classes later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and must be part of your selection process too. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomist schools you are researching to help you select the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomy Technician Career Description

Ellwood City PA phlebotomist holding blood sampleA phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their primary duty, there is in fact much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the tools being used are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork needs to be correctly filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory screening procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some phlebotomists actually work in Ellwood City PA area laboratories and are in charge of ensuring that samples are tested properly using the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they might be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

Ellwood City PA diagnostic lab blood analysisThe quickest response is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are many and varied, including Ellwood City PA medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood samples from a specific kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be collecting blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients every day.

Phlebotomist Education, Certification and Licensing

Ellwood City PA phlebotomy lab There are essentially 2 types of programs that provide phlebotomy training, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to finish and furnishes a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomist. Available at Ellwood City PA junior and community colleges, they usually take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program provide a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will probably want to be certified. While not required in the majority of states, a number of Ellwood City PA employers require certification before employing 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 several states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, like Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a quality education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Classes

attending phlebotomy training classes online in Ellwood City PAFirst, let’s dispel one possible misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant component of the course of study will be clinical 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-practical part of the training can be accessed online, it could be a more practical option for some Ellwood City PA students. As an added benefit, some online colleges are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some costs, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a superior education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the best choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Now that you have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may 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 school is significant in addition to the tuition expense. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy program. All of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for picking a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Following are a few questions that you should ask about each of the Ellwood City PA colleges you are looking at before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomist program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Pennsylvania or the state where you will be working and prepares you for any examinations you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you pick should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages 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 sit for a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited programs. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the Ellwood City PA job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of any schools you are looking at. 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 research online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even contact several Ellwood City PA hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and find out 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 colleges are in total compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? First, check with 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 phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums might indicate that the Ellwood City PA training program is not comprehensive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Find out from the colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with Ellwood City PA medical facilities. They are the optimal means to receive hands-on practical training often not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local Ellwood City healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Landing your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are looking at offer 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 college has both an excellent reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the Ellwood City PA medical community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? Finally, it’s important to confirm that the ultimate program you select offers classes at times that are compatible with your busy schedule. This is especially true if you opt to still work while going to school. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Ellwood City 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. And if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is in case you need to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Considering Phlebotomy Training near Ellwood City PA?

Ellwood City, Pennsylvania

Ellwood City is a borough primarily in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, United States, with a small portion in Beaver County. Ellwood City is 30 miles (48 km) northwest of Pittsburgh and some 8 miles (13 km) southeast of New Castle. In the past, Ellwood City sustained many heavy industries such as steel-tube mills, steel-car works, building-stone and limestone quarries, foundries and machine shops, and coal-mining. The population was 7,921 at the 2010 census.[6] Of the population, 7,289 lived in Lawrence County, while 632 lived in Beaver County.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 2.4 square miles (6.2 km2), of which 2.3 square miles (6.0 km2) is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km2), or 2.09%, is water.

As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 8,688 people, 3,716 households, and 2,393 families residing in the borough. The population density was 3,716.6 people per square mile (1,433.5/km2). There were 4,006 housing units at an average density of 1,713.7 per square mile (661.0/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 98.22% White, 0.81% African American, 0.09% Native American, 0.23% Asian, 0.18% from other races, and 0.47% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.60% of the population.

There were 3,716 households, out of which 26.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.3% were married couples living together, 12.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.6% were non-families. Of all households, 32.3% were made up of individuals, and 18.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.94.

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Select the Right Phlebotomy College near Ellwood City PA

Making certain that you choose the most suitable phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomy training programs are offered in a number of educational institutions, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Course offerings may vary somewhat from state to state as every state has its own mandates when it comes to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to thoroughly evaluate and compare each program before making your ultimate decision. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the ideal college for you. And with the proper education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Ellwood City PA.

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