Picking a Phlebotomy Technician School near Chappaqua New York

Selecting the right phlebotomist school near Chappaqua NY is a critical initial step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult task to analyze and compare all of the training alternatives that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you do your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a quality education. In fact, most students start their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional factor you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll review a bit more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and must 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 evaluating to help you choose the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomist Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their main function, there is in fact far more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm 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 information. Next, paperwork must be correctly completed to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab testing procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many Chappaqua NY phlebotomists actually work in labs and are accountable for making sure that samples are analyzed correctly utilizing the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they may be asked to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The easiest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are many and diverse, including Chappaqua NY hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a certain kind of patient. For instance, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Education, Certification and Licensing

There are basically 2 kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Chappaqua NY, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to finish and offers a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they normally require 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program furnish a more expansive background in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. Although not required in most states, most employers require certification prior to employing technicians. A few of the key certifying organizations include:

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

There are several states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, such as California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a quality education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Classes

To begin with, let’s resolve one likely mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial portion of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Chappaqua 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. However since the non-practical portion of the training may be accessed online, it might be a more convenient option for many students. As an additional benefit, a number of online classes are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some expenses, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a superior education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online may be the ideal choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Since you now have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the New York campus is important in addition to the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy school. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the process for choosing a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you should ask about all of the Chappaqua NY schools you are looking at before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to New York? As earlier discussed, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to select 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 examinations you may be required to take.

Is the College 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 a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a superior education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are typically not available for non-accredited programs in Chappaqua NY. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to check the reputations of all colleges you are looking at. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also talk to several Chappaqua NY area hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and see if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the New York school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Adequate 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 Chappaqua NY phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums might indicate that the program is not expansive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Ask the New York colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with local medical facilities. They are the optimal way to receive hands-on practical training often not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Chappaqua NY medical community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Offered? Landing your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation together with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Chappaqua NY healthcare community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s critical to confirm that the final college you pick provides classes at times that are compatible with your hectic schedule. This is especially true if you decide to still work while attending college. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Chappaqua NY, make certain they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option also. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is in case you have to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's advantageous to reflect on questions you could be asked. Among the questions that hiring managers frequently ask Phlebotomist prospects is "What drove you to select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not only the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what attributes and abilities you possess that make you outstanding at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of standard interview questions, so you should prepare several strategies about how you would like to respond to them. Because there are numerous factors that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work appeals to you in addition to the strengths you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Tech and the perfiect candidate for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but take down a few ideas and topics that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Going over sample responses can assist you to formulate your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.

Select the Right Phlebotomy School near Chappaqua NY

Making sure that you pick the most suitable phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomy training programs are offered in a variety of academic institutions, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive array of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program offerings can vary slightly from state to state as every state has its own mandates when it comes to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to carefully evaluate and compare each school before making your ultimate selection. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the ideal school for you. And with the proper education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Chappaqua NY.

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