Choosing a Phlebotomy Training Program near East Norwich New York

Picking the right phlebotomy technician training near East Norwich NY is an essential first step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult task to analyze and compare all of the training options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to make sure that you receive a superior education. In reality, most prospective students begin their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Another factor you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and need to be part of your decision process also. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you pick the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomy Technician Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their main duty, there is actually much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the instruments being utilized are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork needs to be correctly filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab testing process. The phlebotomist then transports 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. A number of East Norwich NY phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are in charge of making sure that samples are tested correctly under the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they might be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The easiest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are many and varied, including East Norwich NY hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be charged to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a particular type of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists working 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 basically 2 types of programs that provide phlebotomist training in East Norwich NY, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to complete and provides a basic education as well as 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, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they typically take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program furnish a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will probably want to get certified. Although not mandated in most states, a number of employers look for certification before employing technicians. Some 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 a few states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, such as California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a quality education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Certificates and Degrees

To start with, let’s resolve one possible mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial component of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved East Norwich 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-clinical component of the training can be accessed online, it can be a more practical alternative for many students. As an added benefit, some online colleges are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some costs, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy college you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a quality education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online might be the right option for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Now that you have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the New York school is relevant in addition to the tuition expense. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online school. All of these decisions are a critical component of the process 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 each of the East Norwich NY colleges you are reviewing before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to New York? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations 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 prior to working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for New York or the state where you will be working and readies you for all exams you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you pick should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a premium education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are often not available for non-accredited programs in East Norwich NY. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to check 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 assistance program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also contact a few East Norwich NY area hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and find out 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 filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Provided? First, contact 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 classroom and practical. As a minimum, any East Norwich NY phlebotomy program that you are looking at should provide no less than 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 comprehensive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internships Provided? Find out from the New York programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with local medical facilities. They are the optimal way to obtain hands-on clinical training frequently not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local East Norwich NY medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Landing your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the East Norwich NY health care community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s important to verify that the final program you select provides classes at times that will accommodate your hectic lifestyle. This is particularly important if you opt to still work while attending school. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near East Norwich NY, make certain they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option also. And 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 Phlebotomist?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's helpful to review questions you may be asked. Among the questions that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomy Tech prospects is "What compelled you to choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not merely the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but also what qualities and talents you have that make you exceptional at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of general interview questions, so you should organize some strategies about how you would like to respond to them. Given that there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the work appeals to you along with the talents you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomist and the leading candidate for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but take down some ideas and talking points that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Find the Right Phlebotomist School near East Norwich NY

Making sure that you choose the ideal phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a superior school. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be found in a number of educational institutes, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive array of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program offerings can vary a bit from state to state as every state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to thoroughly research and compare each college before making your final decision. By asking the questions that we have provided, 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 phlebotomist in East Norwich NY.

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