Picking a Phlebotomist Course near Highland New York

Enrolling in the right phlebotomist school near Highland NY is a critical initial step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult task to assess and compare each of the training options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a quality education. In reality, most prospective students start the process by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional option you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and must be part of your selection process too. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you select the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomy Technician Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their primary duty, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the tools being used are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork has to be properly completed to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory screening 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 infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many Highland NY phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are responsible for making certain that samples are tested correctly utilizing the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they may be required to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The most basic answer is wherever they treat patients. Their workplaces are numerous and varied, such as Highland NY hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a certain type of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be collecting blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Education, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially two types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Highland NY, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to complete and provides a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. 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 typically take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program furnish a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, most employers look for certification prior to 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 several states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, like Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a premium education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Schools

To start with, let’s dispel one possible mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial portion of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Highland NY healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-clinical portion of the training can be accessed online, it could be a more practical option for some students. As an additional benefit, many online schools are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a quality education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the best choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Now that you have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already picked the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the New York campus is significant in addition to the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist program. All of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for selecting a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you need to ask about each of the Highland NY schools you are looking at before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for New York or the state where you will be working and prepares you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you pick should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a superior education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are typically not available for non-accredited schools in Highland NY. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate the reputations of any schools you are looking at. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also contact a few Highland NY area clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can provide any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the New York school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Enough Training Provided? First, 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 classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Highland 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 below these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internships Included? Ask the New York schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with local health care facilities. They are the optimal way to receive hands-on clinical training often not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Highland NY healthcare community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Getting your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Highland NY healthcare community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to make sure that the ultimate school you select provides classes at times that will accommodate your busy lifestyle. This is particularly important if you choose to still work while attending school. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Highland NY, check that they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is should you need to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's a good idea to consider questions you could be asked. One of the things that hiring managers often ask Phlebotomist prospects is "What made you decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not only the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what qualities and talents you have that make you exceptional at your profession. You will likely be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of routine interview questions, so you must prepare several approaches about how you want to answer them. Since there are so many variables that go into selecting a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work appeals to you as well as the talents you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomist and the perfiect choice for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but take down some ideas and anecdotes that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.

Find the Ideal Phlebotomist College near Highland NY

Making sure that you choose the right phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this rewarding healthcare field. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are offered in a number of academic institutions, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive assortment of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Program offerings may differ slightly from state to state as every state has its own mandates when it concerns phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must thoroughly screen and compare each program before making your ultimate choice. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the ideal college for you. And with the proper education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Highland NY.

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