Choosing a Phlebotomist School near Hempstead New York

Choosing the right phlebotomy school near Hempstead NY is a critical initial step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting task to analyze and compare each of the school alternatives that are available to you. However it’s important that you do your due diligence to ensure that you get a quality education. In fact, most prospective students begin the process by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional option you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll discuss more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and must be part of your decision process also. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you pick the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomy Tech Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their principal duty, there is actually so much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must check that the instruments being employed are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork needs to be correctly filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab testing procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Hempstead NY phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are responsible for making certain that samples are tested properly utilizing the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they may be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The simplest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their workplaces are many and diverse, such as Hempstead NY hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a certain kind of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Education, Licensing and Certification

There are basically two kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Hempstead NY, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to complete and provides a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they typically take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program offer a more expansive background in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. While not required in most states, most employers look for certification before hiring technicians. Some of the primary certifying organizations 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 few additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a quality education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Colleges

To begin with, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A good portion of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Hempstead 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. But since the non-practical component of the training may be accessed online, it could be a more convenient option for many students. As an added benefit, many online programs are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some costs, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy college you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a quality education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the ideal choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Now that you have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already picked the kind of program you want 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 tuition expense. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online program. All of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for picking a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Following are some questions that you need to ask about each of the Hempstead NY schools you are considering before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As earlier discussed, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states require certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in 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 all examinations you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you select should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited school in addition to a guarantee of a quality education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited programs in Hempstead NY. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of any colleges you are reviewing. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also contact several Hempstead NY local clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and see if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with the New York school licensing authority and ask if any grievances 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 practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Hempstead NY phlebotomist 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 lower than these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Find out from the New York programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with local health care facilities. They are the ideal means to obtain hands-on clinical training frequently not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Hempstead NY healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Finding your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Hempstead NY healthcare community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s important to verify that the ultimate school you pick provides classes at times that are compatible with your active schedule. This is particularly true if you opt to still work while attending school. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Hempstead NY, make certain they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option as well. And if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is in case you have to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's helpful to review questions you could be asked. One of the questions that interviewers typically ask Phlebotomy Technician prospects is "What made you choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not merely the private reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what attributes and abilities you have that make you good at what you do. You will likely be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of general interview questions, so you must prepare several approaches about how you would like to respond to them. Since there are several variables that go into selecting a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the abilities you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Technician and the ideal choice for the job. Don't try to memorize an answer, but take down some ideas and topics that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can assist you to develop your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the interviewer.

Enroll in the Best Phlebotomy Program near Hempstead NY

Making sure that you choose the most suitable phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare field. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomist training programs are found in a wide range of academic institutions, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive range of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program options may vary somewhat across the country as each state has its own mandates when it concerns phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to diligently evaluate and compare each college before making your final selection. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the ideal program for you. And with the appropriate education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Hempstead NY.

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