Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician Course near Irving New York

Picking the right phlebotomy technician school near Irving NY is an important first step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult undertaking to assess and compare each of the training alternatives that are available to you. However it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you receive a superior education. In fact, a large number of potential students start their search by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Another factor you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll talk more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and must be part of your decision process too. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you select the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomy Technician Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their main duty, there is in fact far more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must check that the tools being employed are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork needs to be properly completed in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing 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. A number of Irving NY phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are in charge of ensuring that samples are tested correctly using the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they can be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The simplest response is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are many and diverse, including Irving NY hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be charged to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a certain kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients every day.

Phlebotomist Education, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially two types of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Irving NY, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to complete and furnishes a general education along with 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 exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they typically require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program provide a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will probably want to be certified. While not required in the majority of states, a number of employers require certification before hiring technicians. Some of the main 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 prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, including Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only furnishes a quality education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Training

To start with, let’s resolve one possible mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A good portion of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Irving NY healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-practical component of the training may be attended online, it could be a more practical option for many students. As an added benefit, a number of online programs are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenses, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist college you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the ideal option for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Since you now have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the New York campus is significant in addition to the cost of tuition. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online school. All of these decisions are a critical component of the process for choosing a program or school. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you need to ask about each of the Irving NY schools you are looking at before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification 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 readies you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you enroll in should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a superior education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges in Irving NY. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate the reputations of all schools you are reviewing. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even talk to a few Irving NY area hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and ask 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 complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Provided? To begin with, 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 amount of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Irving NY phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Ask the New York colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional healthcare facilities. They are the ideal means to get hands-on clinical training frequently not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Irving NY medical community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Landing your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, signifying 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 Irving NY healthcare community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? And last, it’s crucial to make sure that the final program you choose provides classes at times that are compatible with your busy schedule. This is especially important if you opt to still work while going to school. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Irving 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 as well. And if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is should you have to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you might be asked. One of the things that hiring managers frequently ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What compelled you to choose Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not merely the private reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what attributes and talents you have that make you outstanding at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of routine interview questions, so you should ready a number of approaches about how you would like to respond to them. Because there are numerous variables that go into selecting a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the talents you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Technician and the leading candidate for the position. Don't try to memorize an answer, but write down some concepts and anecdotes that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Going over sample answers can assist you to develop your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to impress the recruiter.

Choose the Right Phlebotomist Program near Irving NY

Making sure that you choose the most suitable phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying health care field. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior college. Phlebotomy training programs are offered in a variety of educational institutions, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Course options may differ somewhat across the country as each state has its own criteria when it comes to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must thoroughly evaluate and compare each school before making your final choice. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the best program for you. And with the appropriate education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Irving NY.

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