Choosing a Phlebotomist School near Stillwater New York

Selecting the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Stillwater NY is a critical first step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult task to investigate and compare all of the training alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you receive a quality education. In fact, many prospective students start their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Another option you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your selection process also. Toward that end, we will provide 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 prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomist Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their principal function, there is actually much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample has to be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork has to be accurately completed to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory testing procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Stillwater NY phlebotomists actually work in labs and are responsible for making certain that samples are tested properly using the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they might be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The most basic response is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are many and varied, such as Stillwater NY hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be charged to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a specific type of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be drawing blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Certification and Licensing

There are basically 2 kinds of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Stillwater NY, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to complete and provides a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they usually require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program furnish a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will probably want to get certified. While not required in most states, many employers require certification before hiring technicians. A few 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 require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, such as California and Nevada. California and a handful of 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 prepares you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Certificates and Degrees

To start with, let’s resolve one possible mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial portion of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Stillwater NY healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-practical portion of the training may be attended online, it can be a more convenient option for many students. As an additional benefit, some online programs are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some expenditures, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist school you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online may be the ideal choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Now that you have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start 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 previously mentioned, the location of the New York college is relevant in addition to the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy program. All of these decisions are an important part of the process for picking a program or school. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you need to ask about all of the Stillwater NY colleges you are looking at before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomy 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 College Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you choose should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting organization, 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 an assurance of a quality education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges in Stillwater NY. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to check out the reputations of all schools you are looking at. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their students as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also contact a few Stillwater NY local clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and see if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the New York school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Provided? First, check with the New York regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Stillwater NY phlebotomy program that you are considering should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Ask the New York colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional healthcare facilities. They are the optimal way to obtain hands-on clinical training often not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local Stillwater NY health care community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Getting your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are looking at 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 program has both a good reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Stillwater NY medical community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s critical to make sure that the ultimate school you choose provides classes at times that are compatible with your hectic lifestyle. This is especially true if you opt to continue working while attending college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Stillwater NY, check that they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option as well. And if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is in case you need to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's a good idea to review questions you could be asked. Among the questions that hiring managers often ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What drove you to decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not merely the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what qualities and abilities you have that make you outstanding at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of standard interview questions, so you need to organize several ideas about how you want to respond to them. Because there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this primary question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession appeals to you as well as the talents you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the ideal candidate for the position. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but take down several ideas and talking points that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Going over sample responses can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the interviewer.

Enroll in the Ideal Phlebotomy College near Stillwater NY

Making certain that you enroll in the most suitable phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding medical care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior college. Phlebotomist training programs are available in a number of academic institutes, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive range of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program options may differ somewhat across the country as each state has its own requirements when it pertains to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must diligently screen and compare each program before making your ultimate selection. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the ideal college for you. And with the appropriate training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Stillwater NY.

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