Selecting a Phlebotomy School near Scarsdale New York

Choosing the right phlebotomy technician training near Scarsdale NY is an important first step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging task to analyze and compare each of the school options that are accessible to you. However it’s vital that you complete your due diligence to make certain that you get a quality education. In reality, many students start the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another option you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll review a bit more about online classes later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also significant 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 assessing to help you select the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their main responsibility, there is in fact much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the instruments being utilized are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork has to be correctly 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 an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some Scarsdale NY phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are accountable for making certain that samples are tested correctly under the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they might be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The quickest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are many and varied, such as Scarsdale NY medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a specific type of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Education, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially two kinds of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Scarsdale NY, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to complete and provides a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest means 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. Available at junior and community colleges, they typically take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program furnish a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. Although not mandated in most states, most employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. Some of the principal certifying organizations 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 Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a superior education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Colleges

First, let’s resolve one possible misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A good portion of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Scarsdale 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 prior to graduation. However since the non-clinical component of the training can be attended online, it can be a more convenient alternative for many students. As an added benefit, some online programs are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some expenditures, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced also. Just verify that the online phlebotomy college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a superior education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the best option for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Since you now have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already decided on the type 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 college is significant in addition to the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy college. All of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for picking a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are a few questions that you need to ask about all of the Scarsdale NY programs you are considering before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed before working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for New York or the state where you will be working and readies you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you pick should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a premium education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited programs in Scarsdale NY. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to check out the reputations of any schools you are looking at. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can research online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even talk to some Scarsdale NY local hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and ask if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the New York school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Adequate Training Included? To begin with, check with the New York regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Scarsdale NY phlebotomist program that you are looking at should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums might signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Find out from the New York programs you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with local medical facilities. They are the ideal means to obtain hands-on clinical training typically not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Scarsdale NY healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Landing your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the Scarsdale NY medical community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s critical to make sure that the final program you select offers classes at times that are compatible with your busy schedule. This is particularly true if you choose to still work while going to college. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Scarsdale NY, make certain they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option also. And if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is in case you need to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's a good idea to consider questions you may be asked. Among the things that hiring managers typically ask Phlebotomy Tech candidates is "What made you decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not merely the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what attributes and talents you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of typical interview questions, so you must ready a number of strategies about how you would like to respond to them. Considering there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the abilities you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Technician and the ideal choice for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but jot down some concepts and anecdotes that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample responses can assist you to prepare your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to wow the interviewer.

Enroll in the Ideal Phlebotomist Course near Scarsdale NY

Making sure that you pick the right phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this rewarding medical care field. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomy training programs can be found in a wide range of academic institutes, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive range of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program options can vary slightly across the country as every state has its own mandates when it pertains to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must diligently screen and compare each school prior to making your ultimate decision. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the best school for you. And with the proper training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Scarsdale NY.

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