Picking a Phlebotomist Training Program near Corning New York

Choosing the ideal phlebotomy school near Corning NY is an essential first step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult task to investigate and compare all of the school options that are available to you. However it’s vital that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you get a quality education. In reality, many students begin the process by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Another factor you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll review a bit more about online classes later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and should be part of your selection process too. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you should 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 then continue our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomy Tech Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their principal function, there is actually far more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the tools being employed are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be accurately filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory testing process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some Corning NY phlebotomists actually work in labs and are accountable for making certain that samples are tested properly using the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they might be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The simplest answer is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are many and diverse, including Corning NY medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a particular kind of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be collecting blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients every day.

Phlebotomist Training, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily 2 kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Corning NY, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to finish and offers a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they usually require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program offer a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, many employers require certification prior to hiring technicians. Some 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 phlebotomist, such as Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a premium education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Training

To begin with, let’s resolve one potential mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant part of the course of study will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Corning 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-clinical portion of the training may be accessed online, it could be a more convenient alternative for many students. As an added benefit, some online schools are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some expenses, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered also. Just verify that the online phlebotomy school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a quality education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the ideal choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Since you now have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already decided on the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the New York college is important as well as the tuition expense. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy school. All of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for choosing a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are a few questions that you need to ask about all of the Corning NY programs you are looking at prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As previously mentioned, 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 amount of clinical training performed before working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for New York or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for any examinations you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you enroll in should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited program aside from a guarantee of a superior education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to sit for a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges in Corning NY. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to check out the reputations of any schools 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 reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also check with several Corning NY area clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and ask 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 full compliance.

Is Enough Training Provided? To begin with, check with 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 clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Corning NY phlebotomist program that you are considering should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums might signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internships Included? Ask the New York programs you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with local medical facilities. They are the ideal way to obtain hands-on practical training typically not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Corning NY health care community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Getting your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Corning NY health care community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to confirm that the ultimate program you select provides classes at times that will accommodate your hectic schedule. This is particularly true if you opt to continue working while going to college. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near Corning 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 also. Even if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is should you need to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's important to review questions you could be asked. Among the questions that interviewers typically ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What drove you to decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not just the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what attributes and talents you possess that make you outstanding at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of typical interview questions, so you should organize several strategies about how you would like to answer them. Because there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you along with the strengths you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Tech and the perfiect candidate for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but jot down a few concepts and talking points that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Reading through sample responses can assist you to develop your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to impress the recruiter.

Select the Ideal Phlebotomist College near Corning NY

Making sure that you pick the ideal phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling healthcare career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomist training programs can be offered in a wide range of educational institutes, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Course options can vary slightly from state to state as each state has its own requirements when it concerns phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to diligently screen and compare each program prior to making your final decision. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the right program for you. And with the appropriate training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Corning NY.

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