Selecting a Phlebotomy School near Cold Spring New York

Selecting the ideal phlebotomist school near Cold Spring NY is an essential initial step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging undertaking to assess and compare all of the school alternatives that are available to you. However it’s vital that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a quality education. In reality, many prospective students begin the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another factor you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll discuss more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and must be part of your decision process also. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you select the right 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.

Phlebotomist Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their principal function, there is in fact much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork needs to be accurately filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing procedure. The phlebotomist then transports 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. A number of Cold Spring NY phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are responsible for making certain that samples are tested correctly utilizing the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they might be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The most basic answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are numerous and varied, including Cold Spring NY medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a certain kind of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Education, Certification and Licensing

There are basically two kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Cold Spring NY, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to complete and furnishes a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they typically take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program furnish a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. While not mandated in most states, many employers require certification prior to employing 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, like Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only furnishes a superior education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Training

First, let’s resolve one likely misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial component of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Cold Spring NY healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-practical portion of the training may be attended online, it can be a more practical alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, some online programs are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some expenditures, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced also. Just verify that the online phlebotomy program you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Now that you have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate 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 school is important in addition to the cost of tuition. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy program. All of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for selecting 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 Cold Spring NY colleges you are looking at prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As earlier discussed, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical 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 enroll in a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for New York or the state where you will be working and preps you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you select should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from an assurance of a superior education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are typically not available for non-accredited colleges in Cold Spring NY. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to investigate the reputations of any colleges you are looking at. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can research online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also talk to some Cold Spring NY area hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can offer any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the New York school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Provided? To begin with, contact the New York regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Cold Spring NY phlebotomist program that you are considering should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Find out from the New York schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with area health care facilities. They are the optimal way to receive hands-on practical training frequently not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Cold Spring NY health care community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Finding your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a higher rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Cold Spring NY medical community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s critical to verify that the ultimate program you choose provides classes at times that are compatible with your busy schedule. This is especially true if you decide to continue working while attending school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Cold Spring NY, make sure they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option also. Even if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up procedure is in case you have to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomist?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's a good idea to consider questions you could be asked. Among the things that hiring managers typically ask Phlebotomy Tech candidates is "What compelled you to decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not merely the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but also what attributes and talents you possess that make you good at your profession. You will probably be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of general interview questions, so you must prepare a number of ideas about how you would like to answer them. Since there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you along with the abilities you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Technician and the ideal candidate for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but write down a few concepts and anecdotes that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample responses can help you to develop your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to impress the recruiter.

Enroll in the Best Phlebotomist College near Cold Spring NY

Making sure that you pick the ideal phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be found in a wide range of educational institutes, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program options can differ a bit across the country as every state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to thoroughly evaluate and compare each program prior to making your ultimate selection. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the right college for you. And with the appropriate education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Cold Spring NY.

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