Selecting a Phlebotomist School near Schenectady New York

Selecting the right phlebotomy school near Schenectady NY is an important initial step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging undertaking to investigate and compare all of the school options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you complete your due diligence to make certain that you get a superior education. In fact, many prospective students begin their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional option you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and must be part of your decision process also. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you choose the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomist Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their main function, there is in fact far more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to confirm that the instruments being utilized are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork has to be correctly completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory screening 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. A number of Schenectady NY phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are in charge of making sure that samples are analyzed correctly utilizing the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they might be required to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The most basic response is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are numerous and diverse, including Schenectady NY medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be charged to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a certain type of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Licensing and Certification

There are basically two kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Schenectady NY, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to finish and furnishes a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomist. 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 require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program offer a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will probably want to be certified. Although not mandated in most states, many employers look for certification before hiring technicians. A few 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 some states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, such as California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a premium education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Certificates and Degrees

First, let’s dispel one potential mistaken belief. You can’t receive 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 Schenectady 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. However since the non-clinical part of the training can be attended online, it could be a more practical option for some students. As an added benefit, many online colleges are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some costs, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a quality education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the right option for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Since you now have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the New York school is important as well as the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online college. All of these decisions are a critical component of the process for picking a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you need to ask about all of the Schenectady NY programs you are looking at prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to New York? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for New York or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you select should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting organization, for example 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 superior 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 previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited schools in Schenectady NY. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s important to check out the reputations of all colleges you are looking at. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their students as part of their job placement 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 several Schenectady NY local hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and see if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with the New York school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools 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 classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Schenectady NY phlebotomy program that you are looking at should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.

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

Is Job Placement Support Offered? Landing your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Schenectady NY healthcare community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s crucial to confirm that the final school you select offers classes at times that will accommodate your busy lifestyle. This is particularly true if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Schenectady NY, make certain they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option also. Even 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 protocol is should you have to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's helpful to reflect on questions you might be asked. One of the things that interviewers typically ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What compelled you to choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not just the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what qualities and talents you possess that make you good at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of standard interview questions, so you need to ready a number of strategies about how you want to answer them. Given that there are numerous variables that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a variety 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 ideal choice for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but jot down some concepts and topics that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample responses can assist you to develop your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the interviewer.

Choose the Ideal Phlebotomist College near Schenectady NY

Making certain that you choose the right phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care field. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are available in a number of academic institutions, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program offerings can vary a bit across the country as every state has its own criteria when it comes to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to carefully research and compare each program before making your ultimate selection. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the right school for you. And with the proper training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Schenectady NY.

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