Picking a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Stafford New York

Picking the ideal phlebotomy school near Stafford NY is a critical first step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult undertaking to evaluate and compare each of the school options that are available to you. However it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to make sure that you get a superior education. In fact, a large number of prospective students start the process by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another factor you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and must be part of your selection process as well. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you pick the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomist Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although 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 confirm that the tools being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork needs to be properly completed 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 in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many Stafford NY phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are responsible for making certain that samples are analyzed correctly utilizing the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they may be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The quickest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are numerous and diverse, such as Stafford NY medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a specific type of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be collecting blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Education, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially two kinds of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Stafford NY, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to complete and offers a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they normally require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program offer a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. Although not mandated in most states, many employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. Some of the key 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 prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, including California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a superior education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Certificates and Degrees

To start with, let’s resolve one potential misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A good component of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Stafford NY healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-clinical part of the training may be accessed online, it may be a more practical option for many students. As an added benefit, a number of online classes are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some expenses, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a quality education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online may be the right choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Since you now have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already picked the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the New York school is relevant as well as the tuition expense. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomist online school. All of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for selecting a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you should ask about each of the Stafford NY colleges you are considering before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomist program that satisfies the state specific requirements for New York or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you choose should be accredited by a reputable 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 program aside from an assurance of a superior education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges in Stafford NY. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate the reputations of all colleges you are considering. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even check with a few Stafford NY local clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the New York school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Provided? 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 clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Stafford NY phlebotomy program that you are looking at should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Find out from the New York colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional medical facilities. They are the optimal way to obtain hands-on clinical training often not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Stafford NY health care community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Getting your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the programs you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Stafford NY healthcare community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s critical to make sure that the final school you select offers classes at times that are compatible with your busy lifestyle. This is especially important if you opt to still work while attending school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Stafford NY, make certain they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option also. Even 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 policy is in case you have to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's advantageous to consider questions you could be asked. One of the questions that hiring managers often ask Phlebotomist prospects is "What compelled you to decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not just the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what attributes and skills you have that make you outstanding at what you do. You will likely be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of routine interview questions, so you should organize several ideas about how you want to address them. Given that there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you in addition to the strengths you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the best choice for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but jot down a few ideas and topics that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reading through sample responses can assist you to develop your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to wow the interviewer.

Find the Right Phlebotomy College near Stafford NY

Making certain that you choose the ideal phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying health care field. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomy training programs can be found in a number of educational institutes, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive array of courses in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings can vary slightly across the country as every state has its own prerequisites when it comes to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to carefully screen and compare each program before making your final decision. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the right program for you. And with the proper training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Stafford NY.

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