Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician School near Alfred New York

Selecting the right phlebotomy technician school near Alfred NY is an important first step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting task to investigate and compare each of the school alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to make sure that you receive a quality education. In reality, most potential students start their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional factor you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll discuss more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and need to be part of your decision process also. 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 choose the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their principal duty, there is actually far more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to confirm that the instruments being utilized are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork has to be correctly filled out to be able to track the sample from the point 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 screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Alfred NY phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are responsible for making sure that samples are analyzed correctly using the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they might be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The easiest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their workplaces are numerous and diverse, such as Alfred NY hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be charged to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, 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 particular kind of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially 2 kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Alfred NY, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to complete and furnishes a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they usually require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program furnish a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will probably want to get certified. Although not required in the majority of states, most employers look for certification before hiring technicians. A few of the principal certifying agencies 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 other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a premium education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Certificates and Degrees

First, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant part of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Alfred NY healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-clinical portion of the training may be accessed online, it could be a more convenient option for some students. As an added benefit, some online colleges are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some expenses, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist program 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 quality education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the right choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Since you now have a basic understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already decided on 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 school is significant in addition to the tuition expense. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy college. All of these decisions are a critical component of the process for selecting a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you need to ask about all of the Alfred NY colleges you are considering before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed before working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for New York or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you pick should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a premium education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited schools in Alfred NY. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s important to check out the reputations of any colleges you are reviewing. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place 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 also talk to some Alfred NY area hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and see if they can offer any insights. 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 schools are in full compliance.

Is Sufficient 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 length of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Alfred NY phlebotomy program that you are considering should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Find out from the New York colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with local health care facilities. They are the optimal way to get hands-on clinical training frequently not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local Alfred NY healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Available? Landing your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Alfred NY healthcare community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s important to confirm that the final school you select offers classes at times that are compatible with your active schedule. This is especially important if you decide to still work while going to college. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Alfred NY, check that they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, 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 should you need to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's helpful to reflect on questions you could be asked. Among the things that interviewers often ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What made you choose Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not merely the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what qualities and talents you have that make you good at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of general interview questions, so you should prepare several approaches about how you would like to answer them. Since there are numerous variables that go into selecting a career, you can address this primary question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work appeals to you in addition to the talents you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Technician and the best choice for the job. Don't try to memorize an answer, but take down some ideas and talking points that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Going over sample responses can help you to develop your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.

Enroll in the Ideal Phlebotomy School near Alfred NY

Making certain that you pick the most suitable phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying health care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be available in a wide range of academic institutes, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive assortment of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program options may differ a bit from state to state as each state has its own criteria when it comes to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must thoroughly evaluate and compare each school before making your ultimate selection. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the best college for you. And with the proper education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Alfred NY.

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