Choosing a Phlebotomy Training Program near Bay Shore New York

Choosing the ideal phlebotomist training near Bay Shore NY is an essential first step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting undertaking to analyze and compare each of the school options that are available to you. However it’s vital that you perform your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a quality education. In fact, most potential students begin the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Another option you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll discuss 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 locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and must be part of your selection process also. To assist in that effort, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you choose the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomist Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their principal duty, there is in fact much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to confirm that the instruments being utilized are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork needs to be correctly completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory screening procedure. The phlebotomist then transports 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. Some Bay Shore NY phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are in charge of making sure that samples are tested properly under the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they can be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The most basic answer is wherever there are patients. Their work places are numerous and varied, such as Bay Shore NY hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a particular kind of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients every day.

Phlebotomist Training, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily two types of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Bay Shore NY, which are degree and certificate 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 method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they typically take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program furnish a more expansive background in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will probably want to get certified. Although not required in most states, a number of employers require certification prior to employing 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 some states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, including Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a premium education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Training

To begin with, let’s dispel one possible mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A good part of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Bay Shore NY healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-practical part of the training may be accessed online, it can be a more convenient option for many students. As an additional benefit, many online programs are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some costs, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a premium education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Since you now have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might 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 college is significant as well as the cost of tuition. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist school. All of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for selecting a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you should ask about all of the Bay Shore NY colleges you are reviewing before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for New York or the state where you will be working and prepares you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you pick should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from a guarantee of a quality education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are often unavailable for non-accredited programs in Bay Shore NY. Finally, 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 little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to investigate the reputations of all colleges you are considering. 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 online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even contact several Bay Shore NY area hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and find out if they can offer 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 full compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Included? First, check with 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 classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Bay Shore NY phlebotomy program that you are looking at should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums might signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish adequate training.

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

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Getting your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Bay Shore NY healthcare community.

Are Class Times Available as Needed? Finally, it’s important to make sure that the final college you pick provides classes at times that will accommodate your active lifestyle. This is particularly important if you choose to still work while attending college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Bay Shore NY, make certain they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option also. And if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is should you need to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's important to reflect on questions you may be asked. One of the things that hiring managers often ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What compelled you to decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not merely the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what characteristics and skills you have that make you exceptional at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of standard interview questions, so you must organize some approaches about how you want to address them. Considering there are numerous factors that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this primary question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the work appeals to you along with the abilities you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the ideal choice for the job. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but take down several concepts and topics that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Going over sample answers can help you to develop your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to impress the recruiter.

Select the Ideal Phlebotomist College near Bay Shore NY

Making certain that you enroll in the most suitable phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding health care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be found in a number of educational institutions, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive range of courses in medical care and health sciences. Course options can vary somewhat across the country as each state has its own requirements when it concerns phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must diligently screen and compare each college before making your final selection. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the ideal school for you. And with the appropriate training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Bay Shore NY.

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