You can earn a good income working in the area of Phlebotomy in Pennsylvania. There are various ways to receive free phlebotomy training in Pennsylvania. You should look into some of these options to see if there are any you can use to pay for the training that you need to enter in the Phlebotomy profession.
Call the Department of Public Welfare in your area. You can find contact details for the public assistance office in your area by looking in your phone book. If you are currently receiving public assistance benefits of any type, you can contact your caseworker. Express your interest in training in the area of Phlebotomy. There could be programs for which you would qualify that would allow you to receive free career training or that would provide you with tuition assistance so that you can complete a training program at a local college. You could contact the Department of Public Welfare even if you are not receiving benefits if you have a low income. There still might be some opportunities for you to receive training for free.
You can contact the Unemployment Office as well to determine if you could qualify for training assistance. It is possible that you could receive some help if you are currently receiving unemployment benefits or if you could possibly qualify for unemployment benefits.
Table of Contents
Direct Free Phlebotomy Training Opportunities in Pennsylvania
HACC-Harrisburg Area Community College
One HACC Dr-Harrisburg PA 17110
If an individual needs help to pay for Phlebotomy training at Harrisburg Area Community College, they might be eligible to apply for the Partnership for Better Health Scholarship Endowment. This scholarship is intended to help students enrolled in either health career programs or in the colleges nursing programs. Students will need to be from Northern Adams, Perry or West Cumberland counties for this specific Endowment.
An applicant for this scholarship will need to show a GPA that is no lower than 2.6. Before applying for this scholarship the person will need to have filled out a Federal Application for Financial Aid. The person must have financial needs to complete their training that have not yet been fulfilled by other means. Award amounts will be in the amount of $1,000.
For those interested, the HACC website provides a great tutorial explaining how to apply for this and the many other HACC Foundation Scholarships available to students in need. Applicants will need a HACC sign in to apply which is given to individuals when they apply to the college. There are a range of other scholarships for those who are not in the counties listed above or for those who do not meet the particular criteria set forth in this scholarship. There will be other options to help pay for Phlebotomy training when visiting the HACC financial aid web page.
Montgomery County Community College
Central Campus-340 Dekalb Pike-Blue Bell, PA 19422
Montgomery County Community College has a range of their own Foundation scholarships for individuals enrolled in the various programs they offer including the Phlebotomy training program. One such scholarship is the Friends of North Penn Community Health Foundation Scholarship.
A student may apply for this particular scholarship if he or she is enrolled in an Allied health Program. The student can be taking either a certificate or a degree program if they want to be considered for this award. First priority is given to students who are attending on a full time basis. Even though more focus is given to full time status, part-time students can apply and may be successful in obtaining an award.
This scholarship is for those students who are from either the North Penn or Lansdale area. If this scholarship is not an option for a student based on location, there are a range of other programs offered through the Montgomery County Community College Foundation. A student at Montgomery County Community College can apply for their scholarships by signing in to the website with their college username. Students should also complete the FASFA which is the federal aid application so that they can be considered for any scholarships and grants for which they might be able to receive some awards.
Low Cost Phlebotomy Training in Pennsylvania
McCann School of Business and Technology
Allentown Campus, 2200 N Irving St Allentown, PA 18109
The McCann School of Business and Technology has a history that actually dates back more than 100 years. The school has campuses in multiple locations throughout Pennsylvania. They offer a variety of training programs for individuals who are looking for technical, business or healthcare related careers.
One of the programs offered is for individuals who wish to work in the areas of Phlebotomy. Students will receive the classroom theory, lab instruction and hands on experience needed to prepare successfully to work as a Phlebotomy Technician. There are also medical assistant training courses there that include phlebotomy instruction.
The school currently charges about $5,092 for their phlebotomy program which is an intensive program of study.
Fortis Institute in Forty Fort
166 Slocum Street, Forty Fort, PA 18704
There are Fortis Institutes located in states throughout the country. There are several locations found in Pennsylvania. The Forty Fort and Scranton locations offer an ECG/Phlebotomy/Lab Assistant training program. This program provides students with classroom, lab and hands on experience over the duration of the course. Fortis Institute students will gain valuable real time experience performing the duties of individuals working in these healthcare areas.
Students will learn how to perform 12 lead ECG duties, and how to perform the duties of phlebotomist technicians. They will be experienced in working in other areas of the lab as well. Students should not have difficulty finding employment in entry-level healthcare positions upon completion of this course.
Phlebotomy Institute of Central PA
State College, PA 16801 (814) 234-1669
This phlebotomy training program includes six weeks of classroom instruction. During that time, students will complete 36 hours of classroom instruction related to the career field. They will then need to complete 60 hours of training in a clinical setting. This training allows students to learn the proper procedures for drawing blood and for preparing lab specimens.
They will be well informed on the various types of tubes and equipment to use for common and not so common tests. Classes usually have 20 or 30 students. However, there are typically at least 5 instructors for each class to make sure that students can receive the more personalized instruction they might need.
Wellspan Phlebotomy
1803 Mt Rose Ave c, York, PA 17403
This phlebotomy program lasts for 7 weeks. It’s actually quite extensive. You will finish 60 hours of study in the classroom. Another 160 hours will be spent receiving hands on experience in clinical settings. Most weeks will see students spending 4 days in the clinical setting and 1 day in the classroom setting. This course is a great value as it only costs $600.
Phlebotomy students gain the background they need to collect samples safely and to limit risks of infection or the spread of communicable illnesses.
Venango College
840 Wood Street, Clarion, PA 16214
This school offers a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program at a cost of $1599. Classroom and lab instruction will include anatomy and physiology plus medical terminology lessons. It will teach students proper puncture methods for obtaining blood samples. Students will learn how to prepare, sort and safety handle samples.
The course and lab portion of the class will cover a total of 90 hours. Students must then put in 100 hours of well supervised practice in a clinical setting. When you graduate from this program, you can take the national certification exam.
Reading Area Community College
10 South Second Street, Reading, PA 19603
610-372-4721
This school offers a Diagnostic Technician Phlebotomy Program. Students learn blood collection and lab test preparation. They will also receive EKG training. Graduates will be able to work in hospitals, doctor’s offices and a variety of other medical settings.
There is extensive classroom instruction to prepare students for their work performing phlebotomy and EKG services. Additional coursework is required in the form of 240 clinical hours. This is one of the most in depth clinical programs for phlebotomists in the state.
This program does cost about $5000. However, it
does qualify you to apply for financial aid. Depending on your individual circumstances, you might very well receive enough financial aid to cover tuition.
The course is well respected. It is among the most comprehensive in the state. You should have no difficulty getting an advanced job in the EKG and phlebotomy field. You might also receive a higher pay grade because of your advanced knowledge from this class.
Institutions that can be of Assistance
County Assistance Offices
Berks County
625 Cherry Street
Reading, PA 19602-1188
Clinton County
300 Bellefonte Avenue
Suite 101
Lock Haven, PA
Juniata County
100 Meadow Lane
P.O. Box 65
Mifflintown, PA 17059-9983
Perry County
100 Centre Drive
P.O. Box 280
New Bloomfield, PA 17068-0280
I Want to be a phlebotomist! What sort of questions will be there in the certification exam?
The phlebotomy technician certification exam consists of 100 multiple choice questions. The allowed time for the test is two hours, and students must score 70% or above to pass. Although certification is not mandatory in Pennsylvania, it may lead to higher pay and additional job opportunities.
The following two questions are examples that prospective phlebotomists may encounter during the examination:
Question:
Which one of the following is the primary function of arteries?
- return blood to the heart
- help regulate the pulse
- connect the venules
- carry blood away from the heart
Answer:
D – Arteries are blood vessels that are responsible for carrying blood away from the heart. They have thick walls because the blood that moves through them is under constant pressure from the contracting venticles. This pressure creates a pulse that can be felt and distinguishes the arteries from the veins.
Question:
What is the purpose of veins in the human body?
- return the blood to the heart
- help regulate the pulse
- connect the arteries
- all of the above
Answer:
A – The veins are blood vessels that return blood to the heart. The walls of veins are thinner than those of arteries because the flow of blood is under less pressure than arterial blood. This blood is kept flowing through pressure changes in the thoracic and abdominal cavities, by skeletal movement, and by valves that inhibit the backflow of blood.
How much does a phlebotomist in Pennsylvania earn?
Phlebotomy technicians in Pennsylvania earn an average of $34,225 per year. However, the salary ranges may differ due to various important factors including the city, education, experience and additional skills.
FAQs
Is the phlebotomy training program available online? Yes, some schools offer coursework available online but only the theory part can be completed online. As for the practical part, students will have to complete this portion in a lab.
How long does a phlebotomy certification last? Phlebotomy certification is valid for one year and will need to be renewed thereafter. It is important not to forget about renewals.
Can I work as a phlebotomist without a certification? No, in order to work as a phlebotomist, you need to at least hold a valid certification or diploma. Please note, without a license, you can still work as a phlebotomist but not without a certification.
What are the places where phlebotomists can work? Places where phlebotomists can work include hospitals, nursing homes, doctor’s offices, private practices and blood donation centers.
What will my job prospects be? You will have good job prospects. There is always a need for many qualified phlebotomists in the healthcare industry. You should not have trouble finding a job after completing a program.