Picking a Phlebotomy School near Dover Plains New York

Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomy school near Dover Plains NY is an essential initial step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging undertaking to assess and compare all of the school options that are accessible to you. However it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a superior education. In fact, most potential students start their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Another option you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss more about online classes later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and should be part of your selection process as well. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you pick the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomy Tech Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their principal duty, there is in fact much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the instruments being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample has to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be correctly filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory screening procedure. 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 infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Dover Plains NY phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are responsible for ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly under the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they may be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The quickest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are many and varied, including Dover Plains NY hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a certain type of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially 2 kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Dover Plains NY, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to finish and offers a basic 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, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they usually take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program offer a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. Although not required in most states, a number of employers look for certification before employing technicians. Some 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 a few states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, like California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a quality education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Training

To begin with, let’s dispel one possible misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A good component of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Dover Plains 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 in order to graduate. However since the non-practical part of the training can be attended online, it can be a more practical option for many students. As an added benefit, many online programs are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some costs, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy college you select 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 premium 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 best choice for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Now that you have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already picked the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the New York school is significant as well as the cost of tuition. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist school. All of these decisions are a critical component of the process for picking a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you should ask about all of the Dover Plains NY schools you are reviewing prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to New York? As earlier discussed, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomist program that satisfies the state specific requirements for New York or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you select should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a premium education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited schools in Dover Plains NY. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In many 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 essential to investigate the reputations of all schools you are considering. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even talk to some Dover Plains NY local hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with the New York school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Adequate Training Included? To begin with, 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. As a minimum, any Dover Plains NY phlebotomist program that you are considering should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask the New York colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with area healthcare facilities. They are the optimal way to obtain hands-on practical training often not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Dover Plains NY medical community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Offered? Finding your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Dover Plains NY health care community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s critical to confirm that the final college you pick offers classes at times that are compatible with your busy schedule. This is especially important if you opt to continue working while going to school. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Dover Plains NY, make certain they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option also. And if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is should you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's advantageous to review questions you may be asked. One of the things that interviewers often ask Phlebotomist applicants is "What compelled you to select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not just the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but additionally what characteristics and skills you have that make you outstanding at your profession. You will likely be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of typical interview questions, so you need to organize several ideas about how you would like to respond to them. Because there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the work appeals to you in addition to the talents you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomist and the best 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 strengths and experiences. Going over sample answers can help you to formulate your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.

Find the Best Phlebotomist Program near Dover Plains NY

Making certain that you select the most suitable phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this rewarding healthcare field. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomy training programs can be offered in a variety of academic institutes, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Course offerings may vary a bit across the country as each state has its own mandates when it concerns phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must thoroughly research and compare each college before 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 pick the ideal college for you. And with the proper education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Dover Plains NY.

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