Picking a Phlebotomy Course near Plattsburgh New York

Picking the right phlebotomy training near Plattsburgh NY is an important first step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult task to evaluate and compare all of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. However it’s vital that you do your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a superior education. In fact, most prospective students begin the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Another option you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also important 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 evaluating to help you pick the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomy Technician Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their primary responsibility, there is actually much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the instruments being used are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork needs to be correctly filled out to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory screening process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Plattsburgh NY phlebotomists actually work in labs and are in charge of making certain that samples are analyzed correctly utilizing the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they can be asked to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The simplest answer is wherever there are patients. Their work places are numerous and varied, including Plattsburgh NY medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing blood from a particular kind of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Education, Licensing and Certification

There are basically 2 types of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Plattsburgh NY, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually 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, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they normally take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program offer a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. While not required in most states, most employers look for certification prior to employing 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 require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, such as California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a quality education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Schools

First, let’s resolve one possible misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial component of the course of study will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Plattsburgh 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-practical part of the training may be accessed online, it could be a more convenient alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, some online colleges are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some expenditures, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy college you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a quality education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the right choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Now that you have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already decided on the type 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 significant as well as the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy school. Each of these decisions are an important part of the process for selecting a program or school. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you should ask about each of the Plattsburgh NY programs you are reviewing before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for New York or the state where you will be working and preps you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you select should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from a guarantee 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 offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges in Plattsburgh NY. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? 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 important to check the reputations of any colleges you are considering. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even talk to a few Plattsburgh NY area hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and find out if they can offer any insights. As a final thought, you can check with the New York school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Provided? First, check with 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 clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Plattsburgh NY phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask the New York colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with local health care facilities. They are the ideal means to receive hands-on practical training typically not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Plattsburgh NY medical community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Getting your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the schools you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the Plattsburgh NY medical community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to make sure that the ultimate program you pick offers classes at times that are compatible with your hectic schedule. This is especially true if you opt to still work while attending college. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Plattsburgh NY, make sure they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option as well. And if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is in case you have to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's advantageous to reflect on questions you could be asked. One of the questions that recruiters often ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What drove you to choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not just the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what qualities and talents you have that make you outstanding at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of typical interview questions, so you must prepare a number of ideas about how you want to respond to them. Since there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can answer this primary question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the work appeals to you as well as the abilities you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Technician and the leading candidate for the job. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but write down a few concepts and topics that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Going over sample answers can help you to develop your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to impress the recruiter.

Choose the Ideal Phlebotomy Program near Plattsburgh NY

Making certain that you enroll in the most suitable phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare field. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior school. Phlebotomist training programs are found in a variety of academic institutions, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Program options can differ a bit from state to state as every state has its own prerequisites when it pertains to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must carefully research and compare each college prior to making your ultimate selection. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the best program for you. And with the proper education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Plattsburgh NY.

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