Phlebotomy Certification in Philadelphia:
With a reputation as the economic center of the State of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia is
home to several Fortune 1000 companies. With a rich culture that includes the arts,
music, and cuisine, Philadelphia is a contemporary city steeped in history.
Tourism remains one of the largest contributors to the economy of the city, with a
number of attractions and professional sports luring in visitors.
Home to more than 1,550,000 residents, Philadelphia is a vibrant and exciting city that
can prove to be a great place to live and play. As a certified phlebotomist in Philadelphia
you could expect to command an average salary of $32,000.
The cost of housing within the city limits may be higher, as one would expect from any
major city, but venturing out into the suburbs can offer better housing costs. This,
combined with the great quality of life, the average salary for a phlebotomist can ensure
you of a great life.
Learning the Responsibilities of a Phlebotomist:
As you may already know, the primary responsibility of the certified phlebotomist is to
draw blood. However, what you might not know is that there are some other duties that
can quite often fall to you to handle with the utmost professionalism:
- Some of the specimens that you collect may expand past blood draws. They
could include urine and others.
- When you have collected all of the specimens ordered by the physician, you’ll
need to follow established protocols so that specimens are delivered to the lab so
that they can be processed fast.
- You’ll have to have a good knowledge about safety guidelines, in order to protect
both yourself and your patients while you are working.
- The area that you work in will need to be kept disinfected and stocked with
everything that you need. You might also need to do inventory and place orders
from suppliers.
- Working in the medical field, you will need a basic understanding of medical
terminology so that you can follow the instructions from the physician.
- During your data you may also need to collect data from your patents, do some
data entry, filing, and perform other basic clerical tasks.
This is why taking a phlebotomy training course is so important. During your training
you’ll be given the right types of instruction so that you can effectively perform all
aspects of your job.
Job Opportunities for Certified Phlebotomists in Philadelphia:
The great news about pursuing your phlebotomy certification is that positions in the
healthcare field are continually in high demand. This means that once you have your
certification in hand, you will not have much trouble finding the perfect position working
as a phlebotomist. You may find yourself working in any of the following types of of
healthcare facilities:
- Hospitals, in all departments; including emergency, maternity, intensive care, and
more.
- Urgent care clinics
- Blood labs
- Community clinics
- Doctor’s offices
- Mobile clinics
- Nursing homes
With a compassionate heart and steady but gentle hands, you’ll find that your skills are
always going to be in high demand.
Getting your Phlebotomy Certification:
There are just a few easy steps that you can take in order to secure your phlebotomy
certification. Perhaps the most important first step is to enrol in a phlebotomy training
course at an accredited college or training center.
Before you make a decision, be sure that you do a bit of research into each of the
schools so that you can learn more about their methods and more about what is
covered in their programs.
While the majority of schools that you look into will offer curriculums that are similar, with
the goal of helping you to pass your certification exam, some schools might have
programs that are more tailored toward the way that you best learn. As an example,
some might offer an online portion so that you don’t need to spend in the classroom
when you are fulfilling other obligations.
Take your time to learn more about what the prerequisites are for the schools that you
are interested in. While some of them may have some slight variations in requirements,
the fair majority will require that students are 18 years of age. Most of the schools will
also need proof that you hold a high school diploma.
Most educational organizations will require that students hold a CPR certification, and
that they are current on all immunizations.
Training is typically split into two portions. The first is the classroom instruction, while
the second is the hands-on clinical rotation portion. By the time that you sit for your
certification exam you should have successfully completed 100 blood draws on patients.
National Certification, and Renewing Your Credentials:
Pennsylvania is one of the many states that does not require for a state level
certification for phlebotomists. Your certification will be completed through a nationally
accredited organization. The great news about this is that you’ll be able to find work as a
phlebotomist in almost any city and state in the country if you decide to relocate from
Philadelphia.
As you start to approach readiness for your certification exam, you’ll learn that there are
four recognized organizations that oversee the phlebotomy certification process.
- American Medical Technologists (http://www.americanmedtech.org)
- American Society of Clinical Pathologists (http://www.ascp.org/)
- National Center for Competency Testing (https://www.ncctinc.com)
- National Health Career Association (http://www.nhanow.com/phlebotomy-technician.aspx)
Once you’ve earned it, you’ll find that your certification is valid for a minimum of two
years. You need to keep up with renewing it if you wish to stay employed.
Phlebotomy Courses in Philadelphia:
Pennsylvania Institute of Technology:
Pennsylvania Institute of Technology offers a quick certification training program that
can get you working in just a short amount of time. This will let you start working and
earning a paycheck while you potentially pursue additional certifications to further your
career choices.
View more info on their website:
http://www.pit.edu/academic-programs/rapid-learning-program-certificate/phlebotomy-short-certificate
Star Career Academy:
Star Career Academy offers a phlebotomy course that meets two nights and one day a
week. This program can allow you to continue working and supporting your family, while
studying to earn your certification.
Official Website:
http://www.starcareer.edu/event/phlebotomy-philadelphia-campus/
Community College of Philadelphia:
Community College of Philadelphia offers a range of certification exams that can help
you on your way to your new career. There are some prerequisites for taking courses,
including being 18 years old and having high school diploma.