Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician Course near Brewster New York

Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Brewster NY is a critical initial step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult undertaking to evaluate and compare all of the training options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you perform your due diligence to make sure that you receive a superior education. In reality, many prospective students begin the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Another option you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll review more about online schools later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and must be part of your decision process as well. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you select the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomy Technician Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their primary function, there is in fact far more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check 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 data. Next, paperwork has to be accurately completed to be able to track the sample from the point 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 screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Brewster NY phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are accountable for making sure that samples are analyzed properly using the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they might be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The easiest response is wherever patients are treated. Their workplaces are numerous and diverse, such as Brewster NY medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be charged to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a particular kind of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Training, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially two kinds of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Brewster NY, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to finish and offers a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they typically take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program provide a more expansive background in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. Although not required in most states, most employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. A few of the main certifying agencies include:

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

There are some states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, including California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a superior education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Colleges

First, let’s dispel one possible mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A good component of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Brewster NY healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-clinical component of the training can be accessed online, it can be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an added benefit, some online classes are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some expenditures, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist college you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the best option for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Since you now have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the New York college is relevant in addition to the cost of tuition. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy school. All of these decisions are an important part of the process for picking a program or school. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you should ask about all of the Brewster NY schools you are looking at prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed before working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomist program that satisfies 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 School Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you enroll in should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from a guarantee of a superior education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are often not available for non-accredited programs in Brewster NY. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to potential 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 caliber. 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 place their students as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also talk to some Brewster NY area clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and find out if they can offer any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the New York school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Provided? To begin with, contact the New York regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Brewster NY phlebotomist program that you are looking at should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums might signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internships Included? Find out from the New York colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with area healthcare facilities. They are the ideal means to obtain hands-on practical training frequently not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Brewster NY healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Finding your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Find out if the colleges you are reviewing offer 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 Brewster NY health care community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s important to make sure that the final college you select offers classes at times that will accommodate your hectic lifestyle. This is especially important if you opt to continue working while going to school. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near Brewster NY, check that they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is in case you have to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's a good idea to review questions you might be asked. Among the questions that interviewers typically ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What made you decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not merely the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what qualities and abilities you have that make you exceptional at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of routine interview questions, so you should organize a number of ideas about how you want to address them. Considering there are several factors that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a variety 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 Technician and the best choice for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but write down some ideas and topics that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample answers can assist you to formulate your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Enroll in the Ideal Phlebotomist College near Brewster NY

Making certain that you enroll in the most suitable phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying health care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomy training programs can be found in a variety of educational institutions, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Program offerings may differ somewhat from state to state as every state has its own mandates when it pertains to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must diligently research and compare each college prior to making your final choice. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the best school for you. And with the appropriate training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Brewster NY.

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