Picking a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Bedford Hills New York

Picking the right phlebotomy training near Bedford Hills NY is an essential first step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult undertaking to evaluate and compare all of the school options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to make certain that you get a quality education. In reality, a large number of prospective students begin their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another factor you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll talk more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and should be part of your decision process too. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you pick the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their principal function, there is actually far more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the tools being used are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork has to be accurately filled out to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing process. 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. Many Bedford Hills NY phlebotomists actually work in labs and are accountable for ensuring that samples are tested properly utilizing the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they might be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The easiest response is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are many and diverse, such as Bedford Hills NY hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be charged to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a specific type of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility 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 solely. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients each day.

Phlebotomist Education, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily two kinds of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Bedford Hills NY, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to complete and provides a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they typically require 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program offer a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. While not required in most states, a number of employers require certification before hiring technicians. Some 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 a few states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, like Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a premium education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Schools

First, let’s resolve one likely mistaken belief. 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 Bedford Hills NY healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-clinical part of the training may be accessed online, it can be a more convenient option for many students. As an additional benefit, many online classes are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some expenditures, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced also. Just verify that the online phlebotomist school you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the right option for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Since you now 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 picked 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 cost of tuition. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomist online 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. Following are a few questions that you need to ask about all of the Bedford Hills NY programs you are looking at before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed before working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomist program that satisfies the state specific requirements for New York or the state where you will be working and prepares you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a superior education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are often not available for non-accredited schools in Bedford Hills NY. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In numerous states there is minimal 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 check the reputations of all schools you are looking at. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their students as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even check with some Bedford Hills NY area clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and ask if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the New York school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? First, 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 Bedford Hills NY phlebotomy program that you are looking at should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums might indicate that the program is not expansive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internships Provided? Find out from the New York programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with area healthcare facilities. They are the optimal means to receive hands-on practical training typically not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Bedford Hills NY healthcare community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Landing your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Bedford Hills NY health care community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s important to make sure that the final program you select provides classes at times that will accommodate your hectic schedule. This is particularly important if you opt to continue working while going to college. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Bedford Hills NY, make sure they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, 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 ask what the make-up policy is in case you have to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's important to review questions you may be asked. Among the things that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What made you choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not merely the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what characteristics and abilities you have that make you outstanding at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of standard interview questions, so you must organize a number of strategies about how you want to address them. Considering there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can answer this primary question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the strengths you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Tech and the leading candidate for the position. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but jot down some ideas and talking points that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample responses can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to impress the recruiter.

Select the Right Phlebotomy School near Bedford Hills NY

Making sure that you choose the most suitable phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding health care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are offered in a number of academic institutions, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide range of programs in medical care and health sciences. Training program options can vary somewhat from state to state as each state has its own criteria when it pertains to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to diligently evaluate and compare each program before making your ultimate choice. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the right program for you. And with the proper training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Bedford Hills NY.

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