Choosing a Phlebotomy School near Purchase New York

Picking the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Purchase NY is a critical first step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult undertaking to analyze and compare each of the training options that are available to you. However it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to ensure that you receive a quality education. In reality, a large number of prospective students start their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another option you might 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 you need to remember is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and should be part of your decision process also. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you pick the ideal 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.

Phlebotomist Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their principal duty, there is actually far more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the tools being employed are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample has to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork must be correctly filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Purchase NY phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are responsible for making certain that samples are tested correctly under the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they might be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The easiest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their workplaces are many and diverse, including Purchase NY medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a specific type of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be drawing blood from senior 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 setting would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Training, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily two types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Purchase NY, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to finish and offers a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides 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 on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they usually take 2 years to complete. 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 probably want to get certified. While not required in the majority of states, most employers look for certification before hiring technicians. A few of the principal 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 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 imperative that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a quality education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Schools

To begin with, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial component of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Purchase NY healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-clinical part of the training may be accessed online, it may be a more practical alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, some online classes are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some expenses, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomist school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a quality education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online might be the ideal choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Since you now have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the type of program you want 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 in addition to the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist school. All of these decisions are an important part of the process for selecting a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you should ask about each of the Purchase NY programs you are considering prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for New York or the state where you will be working and readies you for any examinations you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you pick should be accredited by a recognized 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 school aside from a guarantee of a quality education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are often not available for non-accredited schools in Purchase NY. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive 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 quality. So along with accreditation, it’s important to check the reputations of any schools you are considering. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their students as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also talk to some Purchase NY area hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and find out if they can offer any insights. 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 colleges are in total compliance.

Is Adequate Training Included? 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 length of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Purchase NY phlebotomy program that you are looking at should furnish no less than 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 comprehensive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Find out from the New York programs you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with local health care facilities. They are the ideal way to receive hands-on clinical training frequently not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Purchase NY health care community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Available? Finding your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Purchase NY healthcare community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? Finally, it’s critical to verify that the final program you select offers classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is particularly true if you decide to still work while going to college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Purchase NY, make certain they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical 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 Technician?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's a good idea to review questions you may be asked. Among the things that hiring managers typically ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What drove you to choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not only the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what attributes and talents you have that make you outstanding at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of standard interview questions, so you need to organize several approaches about how you want to answer them. Since there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the abilities you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the leading choice for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but jot down several concepts and talking points that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample responses can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to impress the interviewer.

Find the Best Phlebotomist Program near Purchase NY

Making certain that you choose the ideal phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this rewarding healthcare career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomist training programs can be found in a wide range of academic institutions, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide assortment of courses in medical care and health sciences. Training program options may differ a bit from state to state as every state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must carefully evaluate and compare each school before making your final choice. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the right school for you. And with the proper education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Purchase NY.

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