Selecting a Phlebotomist Training Program near West Point New York

Selecting the ideal phlebotomist school near West Point NY is a critical first step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting undertaking to evaluate and compare each of the school options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to make sure that you get a superior education. In fact, many students start the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Another factor you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll discuss more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and must be part of your selection process too. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you pick the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomy Technician Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their main task, there is actually so much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the tools being used are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork has to be accurately filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory testing procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some West Point NY phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are responsible for making sure that samples are tested properly utilizing the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they can be required to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The quickest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are many and diverse, including West Point NY medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a specific type of patient. For instance, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients each day.

Phlebotomist Education, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily two kinds of programs that offer phlebotomist training in West Point NY, which are certificate and degree 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 provides the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they normally take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program provide a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. While not required in the majority of states, a number of employers require certification prior to employing 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 prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, like California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a superior education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Classes

To begin with, let’s resolve one potential misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A good portion of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved West Point 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. But since the non-practical portion of the training can be accessed online, it may be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, many online classes are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenses, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a quality education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online might be the right option for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Now that you have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already picked the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the New York school is important in addition to the tuition expense. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online program. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the process for choosing a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you should ask about each of the West Point NY schools you are looking at prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for New York or the state where you will be working and preps you for all exams you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you select should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting agency, such as 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 premium education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are typically not available for non-accredited schools in West Point NY. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of all schools you are looking at. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also contact some West Point NY area clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and find out if they can offer any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the New York school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Included? 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 amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any West Point NY phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums might signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internships Provided? Find out from the New York schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with area healthcare facilities. They are the ideal means to receive hands-on practical training frequently not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local West Point NY medical community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Landing your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the West Point NY healthcare community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s critical to make sure that the final school you select provides classes at times that will accommodate your busy lifestyle. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while going to college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near West Point NY, make sure they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option also. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is in case you need to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's advantageous to consider questions you could be asked. One of the questions that hiring managers typically ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What compelled you to pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not merely the private reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but also what characteristics and skills you possess that make you good at your profession. You will probably be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of routine interview questions, so you should prepare some strategies about how you want to respond to them. Given that there are so many variables that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession appeals to you as well as the talents you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the ideal choice for the job. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but jot down a few concepts and talking points that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Going over sample responses can assist you to develop your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to impress the recruiter.

Enroll in the Best Phlebotomist School near West Point NY

Making certain that you choose the right phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding medical care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be offered in a variety of academic institutions, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive array of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Program offerings may vary somewhat from state to state as each state has its own mandates when it comes to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to thoroughly screen and compare each school before making your ultimate selection. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the best program for you. And with the appropriate education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in West Point NY.

Learn About West Point New York

 

 

More Interesting New York Cities

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Larchmont NY 10538

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Waterloo NY 13165

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Rome NY 13440

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Oriskany NY 13424

Phlebotomy Training Schools near West Copake NY 12593

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Tuckahoe NY 10707

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Millbrook NY 12545

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Milton NY 12547

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Forest Hills NY 11375

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Getzville NY 14068