Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Oakland Gardens New York

Choosing the ideal phlebotomy technician training near Oakland Gardens NY is a critical first step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging undertaking to assess and compare each of the training options that are accessible to you. However it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you get a quality education. In reality, a large number of students start their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Another option you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk more about online classes later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your selection 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 right one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomy Technician Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their principal task, there is in fact far more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork must be accurately filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory 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 Oakland Gardens NY phlebotomists actually work in labs and are accountable for making sure that samples are analyzed properly utilizing the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they may be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The most basic response is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are numerous and varied, including Oakland Gardens NY hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a specific type of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients every day.

Phlebotomist Training, Licensing and Certification

There are basically 2 types of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Oakland Gardens NY, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to finish and furnishes a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest route 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 phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they typically take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program offer a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. Although not required in the majority of states, many employers require certification before hiring technicians. Some of the main 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 in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, such as California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a superior education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Training

To start with, let’s resolve one potential misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial component of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Oakland Gardens NY healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-clinical portion of the training may be accessed online, it may be a more practical alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, many online programs are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenses, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy school you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a premium education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the right choice for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Since you now have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already decided on the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the New York college is relevant as well as the tuition expense. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomy online school. All of these decisions are a critical part of the process for selecting a program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you should ask about each of the Oakland Gardens NY colleges you are considering prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to New York? As previously mentioned, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that satisfies the state specific requirements for New York or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you choose should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from a guarantee of a superior education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited schools in Oakland Gardens NY. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to investigate the reputations of all colleges you are looking at. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also talk to several Oakland Gardens NY area hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and find out if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the New York school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Sufficient 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 length of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Oakland Gardens NY phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask the New York programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with area health care facilities. They are the optimal way to obtain hands-on practical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Oakland Gardens NY healthcare community. And they look good on resumes as well.

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

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s important to make sure that the ultimate college you pick provides classes at times that are compatible with your active schedule. This is especially true if you opt to still work while attending college. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Oakland Gardens NY, check that they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify 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 completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is in case you need to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you could be asked. One of the things that interviewers frequently ask Phlebotomist prospects is "What drove you to select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not just the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what characteristics and talents you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of general interview questions, so you need to prepare a number of ideas about how you want to answer them. Given that there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you along with the abilities you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomist and the best candidate for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but write down a few ideas and anecdotes that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can assist you to develop your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Select the Ideal Phlebotomist Program near Oakland Gardens NY

Making certain that you choose the right phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are offered in a number of academic institutes, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Training program options can differ somewhat from state to state as every state has its own mandates when it pertains to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to carefully research and compare each program before making your ultimate choice. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the right school for you. And with the proper training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Oakland Gardens NY.

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