Picking a Phlebotomist School near Kattskill Bay New York

Enrolling in the right phlebotomist training near Kattskill Bay NY is a critical initial step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult undertaking to assess and compare all of the school options that are available to you. However it’s important that you perform your due diligence to make sure that you receive a superior education. In fact, a large number of students begin their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another option you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk 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 should be part of your decision process as well. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you pick the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomist Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their principal task, there is actually far more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the instruments being employed are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork has to be properly filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab testing process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Kattskill Bay NY phlebotomists actually work in labs and are accountable for making sure that samples are analyzed correctly using the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they might be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The most basic answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are numerous and diverse, such as Kattskill Bay NY hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a certain kind of patient. For instance, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients every day.

Phlebotomy Education, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially two kinds of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Kattskill Bay NY, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to complete and furnishes a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they usually require 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program furnish a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will probably want to become certified. While not mandated in most states, many employers require certification prior to hiring technicians. A few of the key 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 require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, like Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a quality education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Classes

To start with, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial portion of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Kattskill Bay NY healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical component of the training can be accessed online, it could be a more practical option for some students. As an additional benefit, many online colleges are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some expenditures, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a quality education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the best choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Now that you have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin 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 mentioned earlier, the location of the New York college is important in addition to the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online college. All of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for picking a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Following are some questions that you should ask about each of the Kattskill Bay NY schools you are considering before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to New York? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for New York or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you enroll in should be accredited by a highly regarded 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 school aside from a guarantee of a superior education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are typically not available for non-accredited schools in Kattskill Bay NY. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate the reputations of all colleges you are reviewing. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even check with a few Kattskill Bay NY area clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and find out 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 filed or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? 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 classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Kattskill Bay NY phlebotomist program that you are looking at should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internships Included? Ask the New York schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with area healthcare facilities. They are the ideal way to get hands-on clinical training frequently not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Kattskill Bay NY medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Landing your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Kattskill Bay NY medical community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s important to confirm that the ultimate school you pick offers classes at times that will accommodate your hectic lifestyle. This is especially important if you opt to continue working while attending college. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Kattskill Bay NY, make sure they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option as well. Even 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 protocol is in case you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you may be asked. Among the things that recruiters often ask Phlebotomist prospects is "What made you pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not just the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomist, but additionally what characteristics and talents you have that make you outstanding at what you do. You will probably be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of standard interview questions, so you need to organize some ideas about how you would like to respond to them. Given that there are several variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the work appeals to you along with the talents you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the best candidate for the position. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but write down some concepts and anecdotes that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample responses can help you to formulate your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.

Choose the Ideal Phlebotomy Program near Kattskill Bay NY

Making certain that you choose the right phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this fulfilling healthcare field. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are available in a variety of educational institutions, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program options may vary a bit across the country as every state has its own criteria when it pertains to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must carefully screen and compare each school prior to making your ultimate decision. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the best school for you. And with the appropriate education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Kattskill Bay NY.

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