Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician School near Cranberry Lake New York

Selecting the ideal phlebotomist school near Cranberry Lake NY is a critical first step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting task to assess and compare each of the training options that are available to you. However it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to make sure that you get a quality education. In fact, a large number of students start their search by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Another option you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll review more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember 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 accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and should be part of your decision process also. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you select the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomy Technician Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their principal duty, there is actually much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must check that the tools being used are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork must be properly completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Cranberry Lake NY phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are in charge of making certain that samples are analyzed properly using the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they might be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The easiest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are numerous and diverse, including Cranberry Lake NY hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a certain kind of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be drawing blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients each day.

Phlebotomist Training, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily two types of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Cranberry Lake NY, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to complete and furnishes a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they usually require two years to finish. 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 probably want to get certified. Although not mandated in most states, many employers require certification prior to hiring technicians. A few of the key 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 call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, including California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a quality education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Training

To start with, let’s dispel one likely misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial part of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Cranberry Lake NY healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-practical portion of the training can be accessed online, it could be a more convenient option for many students. As an additional benefit, some online classes are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some costs, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a superior education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online may be the best choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Since you now have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already selected the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the New York campus is relevant as well as the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online college. All of these decisions are an important part of the process for selecting a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are several questions that you should ask about all of the Cranberry Lake NY schools you are considering prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for New York or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you select should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a premium education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Cranberry Lake NY. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of any colleges you are reviewing. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even contact several Cranberry Lake NY local clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and see if they can provide 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 total compliance.

Is Ample Training Provided? First, contact the New York regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Cranberry Lake NY phlebotomy 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 less than these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Find out from the New York schools you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with area healthcare facilities. They are the ideal way to get hands-on clinical training often not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Cranberry Lake NY health care community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Getting your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Cranberry Lake NY health care community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to confirm that the ultimate college you pick offers classes at times that will accommodate your hectic lifestyle. This is particularly important if you choose to still work while attending school. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Cranberry Lake NY, check that they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm 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 fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is should you need to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Choose to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's a good idea to consider questions you may be asked. Among the things that interviewers typically ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What compelled you to pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not just the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomist, but additionally what characteristics and skills you have that make you exceptional at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of routine interview questions, so you need to prepare several ideas about how you want to respond to them. Given that 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 interests you as well as the strengths you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomist and the perfiect choice for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but take down several ideas and talking points that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reading through sample answers can assist you to develop your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the interviewer.

Find the Right Phlebotomy Course near Cranberry Lake NY

Making sure that you choose the right phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this rewarding healthcare field. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior college. Phlebotomy training programs are offered in a wide range of academic institutes, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide array of courses in medical care and health sciences. Course options can differ somewhat from state to state as every state has its own requirements when it concerns phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to diligently evaluate and compare each school prior to making your final selection. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the right program for you. And with the proper education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Cranberry Lake NY.

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