Picking a Phlebotomy Course near Dobbs Ferry New York

Picking the right phlebotomist school near Dobbs Ferry NY is an essential first step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting undertaking to evaluate and compare each of the school options that are available to you. However it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you get a superior education. In fact, many prospective students start the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional factor you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk more about online classes later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and must be part of your decision process too. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you choose the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomy Tech Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their main task, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the tools being utilized are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork needs to be properly completed to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening procedure. The phlebotomist then transports 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 Dobbs Ferry NY phlebotomists actually work in labs and are in charge of making certain that samples are tested properly utilizing the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they might be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The simplest response is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are many and varied, including Dobbs Ferry NY hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a specific type of patient. For instance, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be drawing blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Training, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily 2 types of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Dobbs Ferry NY, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to complete and furnishes a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they typically require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program offer a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will probably want to become certified. While not required in most states, a number of employers require certification prior to employing technicians. Some of the main 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 prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, including Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a premium education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Schools

First, let’s dispel one potential mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant portion of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Dobbs Ferry NY healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-practical component of the training can be accessed online, it might be a more convenient option for many students. As an additional benefit, many online colleges are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenses, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist school you choose 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 quality education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the ideal option for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Now that you have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the New York school is important as well as the tuition expense. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online program. Each of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for selecting a program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Following are some questions that you need to ask about all of the Dobbs Ferry NY schools you are considering prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for New York or the state where you will be working and preps you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you pick should be accredited by a recognized national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a premium education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited programs in Dobbs Ferry NY. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to check the reputations of all colleges you are reviewing. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also contact several Dobbs Ferry NY area hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and see if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the New York school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Ample Training Included? To begin with, contact the New York regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Dobbs Ferry NY phlebotomy program that you are looking at should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Find out from the New York colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with regional medical facilities. They are the optimal way to receive hands-on clinical training often not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Dobbs Ferry NY medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Landing your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the programs you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Dobbs Ferry NY healthcare community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s critical to verify that the ultimate school you choose provides classes at times that will accommodate your active lifestyle. This is particularly true if you choose to still work while going to school. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Dobbs Ferry NY, check that they are offered at those times. Additionally, 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 fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is in case you have to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's helpful to reflect on questions you might be asked. Among the things that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomy Tech prospects is "What drove you to pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not just the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what attributes and abilities you have that make you good at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of typical interview questions, so you need to prepare a number of strategies about how you would like to answer them. Considering there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession appeals to you along with the strengths you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the ideal choice for the position. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but write down several concepts and topics that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can assist you to formulate your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to include to enthuse the recruiter.

Find the Best Phlebotomist Program near Dobbs Ferry NY

Making certain that you choose the most suitable phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this rewarding healthcare field. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior school. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are found in a number of educational institutes, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive range of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Course offerings may vary slightly from state to state as each state has its own requirements when it concerns phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must thoroughly evaluate and compare each college before making your final selection. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the best college for you. And with the appropriate education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Dobbs Ferry NY.

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