Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician School near Brooklyn New York

Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomy technician training near Brooklyn NY is an important first step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting undertaking to assess and compare all of the school options that are available to you. However it’s vital that you do your due diligence to make certain that you get a superior education. In fact, most prospective students start their search by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional option you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and must be part of your decision process also. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you pick the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomy Tech Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their primary duty, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the tools being employed are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork needs to be properly filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some Brooklyn NY phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are responsible for making certain that samples are analyzed correctly utilizing the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they might be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The quickest response is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are numerous and varied, such as Brooklyn NY hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be charged to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a specific type of patient. For instance, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Training, Licensing and Certification

There are basically two types of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Brooklyn NY, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to complete and provides a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will include training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they usually require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program offer a more extensive background in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, a number of employers look for certification before employing technicians. Some of the primary 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, such as California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a quality education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Certificates and Degrees

To begin with, let’s dispel one potential misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant component of the course of study will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Brooklyn NY healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical component of the training can be attended online, it might be a more convenient option for many students. As an additional benefit, many online schools are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some costs, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist school you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a quality education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online might be the best choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Since you now have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the New York campus is significant as well as the cost of tuition. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online college. All of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for picking a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are some questions that you need to ask about each of the Brooklyn NY colleges you are considering before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for New York or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you select should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a quality education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Brooklyn NY. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In a number of states there is minimal 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 check the reputations of all schools you are reviewing. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also check with several Brooklyn NY area clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and see if they can offer any insights. As a final thought, you can check with the New York school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Adequate Training Provided? First, check with the New York regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Brooklyn NY phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask the New York schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional healthcare facilities. They are the optimal means to get hands-on clinical training often not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Brooklyn NY medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Offered? Landing your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the schools you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Brooklyn NY healthcare community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to make sure that the ultimate program you choose offers classes at times that will accommodate your active lifestyle. This is especially important if you decide to still work while attending school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Brooklyn NY, make sure they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option also. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is in case you need to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomist?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's helpful to consider questions you might be asked. One of the things that interviewers typically ask Phlebotomist applicants is "What compelled you to choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not merely the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what attributes and abilities you have that make you exceptional at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of general interview questions, so you need to prepare a number of approaches about how you want to answer them. Since there are numerous variables that go into selecting a career, you can address this primary question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you along with the strengths you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the perfiect choice for the position. Don't try to memorize an answer, but jot down a few ideas and anecdotes that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample responses can assist you to develop your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the interviewer.

Choose the Best Phlebotomist Course near Brooklyn NY

Making sure that you select the right phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care field. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomy training programs can be offered in a number of educational institutes, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide range of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Course options may vary a bit across the country as every state has its own mandates when it pertains to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must thoroughly screen and compare each school before making your final choice. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the ideal college for you. And with the appropriate training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Brooklyn NY.

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