Choosing a Phlebotomy Training Program near Lansing New York

Picking the ideal phlebotomy school near Lansing NY is a critical first step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging task to investigate and compare each of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you do your due diligence to ensure that you get a superior education. In reality, many students start their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional factor you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and should be part of your selection process too. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you select the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online training.

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Phlebotomy Technician Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their principal duty, there is actually so much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to confirm that the tools being utilized are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork needs to be properly filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab 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. Many Lansing NY phlebotomists actually work in labs and are responsible for ensuring that samples are tested correctly using the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they can be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The quickest response is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are numerous and diverse, such as Lansing NY medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a certain type of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are working 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 drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily two types of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Lansing NY, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to complete and offers a basic 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, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they normally require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program provide a more extensive background in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will probably want to be certified. While not mandated in most states, many employers require certification before hiring technicians. A few of the principal certifying agencies include:

• National Phlebotomy Association
• National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
• American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
• American Medical Technologists (AMT)

There are a few states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, including Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a superior education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Classes

First, let’s dispel one potential misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant part of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Lansing NY healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-practical portion of the training may be accessed online, it might be a more practical alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, some online classes are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some expenditures, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist school you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a premium education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online might be the right choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Now that you have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the New York college is significant as well as the tuition expense. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomist online program. Each of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for selecting a program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are several questions that you should ask about all of the Lansing NY schools you are reviewing before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states require certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed before working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for New York or the state where you will be working and prepares you for all exams you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you pick should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a quality education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are often unavailable for non-accredited programs in Lansing NY. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to investigate the reputations of any schools you are looking at. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also talk to several Lansing NY area clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and see if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with the New York school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in total 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 amount of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Lansing NY phlebotomy program that you are considering should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internships Included? Ask the New York programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with local health care facilities. They are the optimal way to receive hands-on clinical training frequently not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Lansing NY healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Available? Getting your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Lansing NY medical community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s crucial to verify that the ultimate program you select provides classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is especially true if you opt to continue working while going to college. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Lansing NY, make certain 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 completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is should you have to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Choose to Become a Phlebotomist?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's helpful to consider questions you might be asked. One of the questions that interviewers often ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What drove you to pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not merely the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what qualities and talents you have that make you outstanding at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of standard interview questions, so you need to ready several approaches about how you would like to address them. Since there are several variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the work appeals to you in addition to the talents you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomist and the best choice for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but take down some ideas and anecdotes that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample responses can help you to develop your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.

Find the Right Phlebotomist Program near Lansing NY

Making certain that you choose the right phlebotomy training is a critical 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 quality program. Phlebotomist training programs can be available in a variety of academic institutes, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive range of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program options can vary a bit across the country as every state has its own mandates when it concerns phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to carefully screen and compare each program before making your final selection. By addressing 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 proper training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Lansing NY.

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