Picking a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Allegany New York

Choosing the right phlebotomy technician training near Allegany NY is an essential initial step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting task to analyze 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 superior education. In reality, most prospective students begin the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional factor you might consider is whether to attend classes online 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 comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and need to be part of your decision process too. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you pick the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomist Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their principal responsibility, there is actually far more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the tools being used are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork has to be properly completed 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 an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many Allegany NY phlebotomists actually work in labs and are responsible for ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly under the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they might be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The most basic answer is wherever there are patients. Their work places are numerous and varied, such as Allegany NY medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a particular type of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients every day.

Phlebotomy Education, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially two kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Allegany NY, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to complete and furnishes a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they typically take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program provide a more expansive background in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. While not mandated in most states, a number of employers look for certification prior to employing technicians. A few of the main certifying organizations 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 handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a premium education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Colleges

To start with, let’s dispel one likely misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A good component of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Allegany 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. However since the non-practical part of the training can be attended online, it can be a more practical alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, a number of online schools are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenses, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a superior education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online may be the best choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Since you now have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already decided on the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the New York campus is significant as well as the tuition expense. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist school. All of these decisions are an important part of the process for choosing a program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you should ask about each of the Allegany NY programs you are reviewing before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to New York? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for New York or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you select should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a quality education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Allegany 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 School’s Reputation? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to investigate the reputations of any schools you are reviewing. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their students as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also check with several Allegany NY area hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and find out if they can offer any insights. As a closing thought, you can check with the New York school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Ample Training Included? To begin with, 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 length of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Allegany NY phlebotomist program that you are considering should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Find out from the New York programs you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with regional medical facilities. They are the optimal way to receive hands-on practical training often not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Allegany NY health care community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Finding your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement percentage 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 an excellent reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Allegany NY medical community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? And last, it’s critical to confirm that the final program you pick provides classes at times that will accommodate your active lifestyle. This is particularly true if you choose to still work while going to college. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near Allegany NY, make sure they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option as well. And if you have decided to study 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 in case you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomist?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's helpful to review questions you could be asked. Among the things that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What compelled you to choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not only the private reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but also what qualities and skills you have that make you exceptional at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of standard interview questions, so you need to organize several ideas about how you would like to address them. Since there are numerous factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the work appeals to you in addition to the abilities you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Technician and the ideal candidate for the job. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but take down a few concepts and topics that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample responses can assist you to develop your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Select the Ideal Phlebotomy Program near Allegany NY

Making sure 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 covered in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be available in a number of academic institutions, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive assortment of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Course offerings can differ slightly from state to state as every state has its own criteria when it pertains to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to carefully research and compare each college prior to making your ultimate choice. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the ideal college for you. And with the proper education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Allegany NY.

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