Choosing a Phlebotomist School near Commack New York

Picking the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Commack NY is an essential initial step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging task to analyze and compare all of the training options that are available to you. However it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you receive a quality education. In fact, a large number of potential students start their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Another factor you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll discuss more about online classes later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your selection process too. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you choose the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online classes.

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Phlebotomy Tech Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their main task, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to confirm that the tools being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork has to be accurately completed in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many Commack NY phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are in charge of ensuring that samples are tested correctly under the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they might be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The easiest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are many and diverse, such as Commack NY hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a specific type of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Education, Licensing and Certification

There are basically 2 kinds of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Commack NY, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to finish and furnishes a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they usually require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program offer a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. Although not required in the majority of states, a number of employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. A few 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 a few states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, such as Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only furnishes a superior education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Schools

To start with, let’s dispel one possible mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial portion of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Commack 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 part of the training can be accessed online, it might be a more convenient option for some students. As an added benefit, some online classes are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some expenditures, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist 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 premium education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the right choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Now that you have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already picked the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the New York campus is relevant in addition to the tuition expense. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomist online college. Each of these decisions are a critical component 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 should ask about each of the Commack NY colleges you are considering prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As previously mentioned, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for New York or the state where you will be working and preps you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you pick should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a premium education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges in Commack NY. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of all schools you are looking at. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also contact a few Commack NY area hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and find out if they can provide any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the New York school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? To begin with, check with 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 classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Commack NY phlebotomist program that you are looking at should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internships Included? Find out from the New York programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional healthcare facilities. They are the ideal means to obtain hands-on practical training often not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Commack NY healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Getting your first phlebotomy job will be a lot 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 school has a higher rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Commack NY healthcare community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s crucial to make sure that the ultimate program you select provides classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is particularly important if you opt to still work while attending college. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near Commack NY, make sure they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option also. And if you have decided to study online, with the practical 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 emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's important to review questions you may be asked. Among the things that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What made you pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not just the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what attributes and talents you have that make you good at your profession. You will probably be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of general interview questions, so you should organize a number of ideas about how you want to address them. Considering there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this primary question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the abilities you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Tech and the leading candidate for the position. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but jot down several concepts and talking points that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to wow the interviewer.

Select the Ideal Phlebotomist Program near Commack NY

Making certain that you choose the right phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding medical care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are available in a wide range of educational institutes, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive range of courses in medical care and health sciences. Training program offerings can differ somewhat across the country as every state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must diligently evaluate and compare each college before making your final choice. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the ideal college for you. And with the appropriate education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Commack NY.

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