Picking a Phlebotomy School near Ridgewood New York

Choosing the ideal phlebotomist training near Ridgewood NY is an important first step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging task to evaluate and compare all of the school alternatives that are available to you. However it’s important that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you get a quality education. In fact, a large number of potential students start their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional option you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll discuss more about online schools later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and should be part of your selection process too. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating 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.

Phlebotomist Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their main function, there is actually so much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the instruments being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork has to be properly completed 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 an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Ridgewood NY phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are in charge of making sure that samples are analyzed correctly using the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they may be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The simplest response is wherever they treat patients. Their workplaces are numerous and diverse, including Ridgewood 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 senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a specific type of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily two kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Ridgewood NY, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to complete and offers a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they usually take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program furnish a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will probably want to be certified. Although not required in most states, a number of employers look for 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 some states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, like California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a quality education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Certificates and Degrees

To start with, let’s dispel one likely misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial component of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Ridgewood 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 prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical part of the training can be accessed online, it can be a more convenient alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, some online programs are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenses, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive 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 may be the right choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Since you now have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already chosen 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 relevant in addition to the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online program. Each of these decisions are an important part of the process for choosing a program or school. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are some questions that you need to ask about each of the Ridgewood NY programs you are reviewing prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. 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 prepares you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you choose should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited school in addition to a guarantee of a quality education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are often not available for non-accredited programs in Ridgewood NY. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to investigate the reputations of any colleges you are reviewing. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also talk to a few Ridgewood NY area clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and ask if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the New York school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Ample Training Included? First, contact the New York regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Ridgewood NY phlebotomy 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 less than these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Find out from the New York programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with local healthcare facilities. They are the optimal means to get hands-on clinical training typically not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Ridgewood NY healthcare community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Landing your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation together with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Ridgewood NY medical community.

Are Class Times Available as Needed? Finally, it’s important to verify that the final program you pick provides classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is particularly true if you decide to still work while attending college. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Ridgewood NY, make sure they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option also. And if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up procedure is should you need to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's a good idea to review questions you might be asked. Among the questions that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What drove you to choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not only the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what qualities and abilities you possess that make you outstanding at your profession. You will likely be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of standard interview questions, so you must organize several ideas about how you would like to address them. Since there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this primary question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the profession appeals to you along with the talents you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the leading candidate for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but take down some ideas and anecdotes that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Going over sample answers can assist you to prepare your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to enthuse the recruiter.

Choose the Best Phlebotomist School near Ridgewood NY

Making sure that you select the most suitable phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying health care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a superior school. Phlebotomy training programs are available in a number of educational institutions, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive array of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program options can differ somewhat from state to state as each state has its own prerequisites when it pertains to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must diligently evaluate and compare each program before making your ultimate decision. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the ideal college for you. And with the appropriate education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Ridgewood NY.

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