Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Putnam Valley New York

Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomy technician training near Putnam Valley NY is an essential first step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging undertaking to assess and compare all of the training alternatives that are accessible to you. However it’s important that you do your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a quality education. In fact, a large number of students start the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first 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 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 variables such as reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and should be part of your selection process as well. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you select the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomist Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their main responsibility, there is in fact much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the instruments being employed are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork has to be properly filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab testing process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Putnam Valley NY phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are responsible for making sure that samples are analyzed correctly under the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they may be asked to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The most basic answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are numerous and diverse, including Putnam Valley NY medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be charged to draw 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 blood from a particular kind of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be drawing blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Licensing and Certification

There are basically two types of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Putnam Valley NY, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to finish and provides a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest method 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 to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they normally require 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program offer a more expansive background in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, many employers require certification before employing technicians. Some of the primary 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 call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, including California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a premium education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Classes

To start with, let’s resolve one possible misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial part of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Putnam Valley NY healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-clinical part of the training may be accessed online, it can be a more convenient option for some students. As an additional benefit, many online schools are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online might be the best option for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Since you now have a basic understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate 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 mentioned earlier, the location of the New York college is relevant as well as the tuition expense. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online program. All of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for selecting a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you need to ask about all of the Putnam Valley NY programs you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to select 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 exams you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you choose should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting agency, for example 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 premium education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Putnam Valley NY. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to check out the reputations of all colleges you are considering. 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 reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also contact some Putnam Valley NY area clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and ask if they can offer any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the New York school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Provided? To begin with, contact the New York regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Putnam Valley NY phlebotomy program that you are looking at should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask the New York programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with local health care facilities. They are the ideal way to receive hands-on practical training frequently not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local Putnam Valley NY medical community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Getting your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation together with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Putnam Valley NY healthcare community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s important to verify that the ultimate college you choose offers classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is particularly true if you opt to still work while attending college. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Putnam Valley NY, make certain they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option also. And if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up procedure is in case you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's a good idea to consider questions you may be asked. One of the questions that hiring managers often ask Phlebotomist prospects is "What compelled you to select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not just the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what qualities and skills you have that make you good at what you do. You will probably be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of standard interview questions, so you need to organize several strategies about how you want to answer them. Considering there are several factors that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work appeals to you in addition to the strengths you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomist and the best candidate for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but jot down some concepts and topics that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can assist you to formulate your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to wow the interviewer.

Choose the Right Phlebotomy Course near Putnam Valley NY

Making certain that you pick the most suitable phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomist training programs are found in a variety of educational institutes, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive assortment of courses in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings may vary a bit across the country as every state has its own requirements when it pertains to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to diligently research and compare each college before making your final decision. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the best college for you. And with the proper education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Putnam Valley NY.

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