Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician School near Highland Mills New York

Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomy training near Highland Mills NY is an essential first step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging undertaking to assess and compare each of the training options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you do your due diligence to make certain that you obtain a superior education. In reality, most students start the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another factor you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local 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 a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and must be part of your selection process too. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you select the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomist Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their primary task, there is in fact much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the instruments being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork must be accurately completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory testing 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 pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some Highland Mills NY phlebotomists actually work in labs and are responsible for making certain that samples are analyzed properly utilizing the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they might be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The quickest response is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are many and varied, such as Highland Mills NY hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a certain type of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be drawing blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily two types of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Highland Mills NY, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to finish and provides a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they usually require 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program offer a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. Although not required in the majority of states, most employers require certification prior to employing 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 several states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, including California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a quality education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Colleges

To start with, let’s dispel one likely misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial portion of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Highland Mills NY healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-clinical component of the training may be attended online, it can be a more practical alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, some online schools are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some expenditures, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomist program 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 receive a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the best choice for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Now that you have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already picked 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 campus is significant as well as the tuition expense. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy college. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for choosing a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Following are some questions that you need to ask about each of the Highland Mills NY colleges you are reviewing before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to New York? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for New York or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you choose should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited program aside from a guarantee of a quality education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges in Highland Mills NY. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to investigate the reputations of all colleges you are looking at. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their students as part of their job assistance program. You can screen internet school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also check with a few Highland Mills NY area clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and see if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with the New York school licensing authority and ask if any complaints 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 working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Highland Mills NY phlebotomist program that you are looking at should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums might indicate that the program is not expansive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask the New York colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with area healthcare facilities. They are the optimal means to receive hands-on clinical training often not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Highland Mills NY medical community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Landing your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are considering provide 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 a good reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Highland Mills NY medical community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s important to confirm that the ultimate school you pick offers classes at times that are compatible with your busy schedule. This is especially true if you opt to still work while going to college. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Highland Mills NY, make certain they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option as well. And if you have decided to attend 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 should you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you may be asked. One of the questions that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What compelled you to pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not just the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but also what attributes and abilities you possess that make you good at your profession. You will probably be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of routine interview questions, so you need to prepare several ideas about how you would like to address them. Since there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession interests you in addition to the strengths you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomist and the perfiect candidate for the job. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but take down some concepts and anecdotes that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Going over sample responses can assist you to develop your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the interviewer.

Choose the Ideal Phlebotomist College near Highland Mills NY

Making sure that you choose the most suitable phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomy training programs can be offered in a number of educational institutes, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program offerings can vary a bit from state to state as every state has its own requirements when it pertains to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must carefully evaluate and compare each school before making your final choice. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the right college for you. And with the appropriate training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Highland Mills NY.

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