Choosing a Phlebotomist School near Catskill New York

Enrolling in the right phlebotomist school near Catskill NY is an important initial step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult undertaking to analyze and compare each of the school options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you do your due diligence to ensure that you get a superior education. In fact, many prospective students begin their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Another option you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and need to be part of your decision process too. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you choose the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomy Tech Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their primary function, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the tools being used are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample has to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork needs to be accurately filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers 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 Catskill NY phlebotomists actually work in labs and are accountable for making sure that samples are analyzed correctly under the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they may be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The quickest response is wherever patients are treated. Their workplaces are numerous and varied, including Catskill NY medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a certain kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Education, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially 2 types of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Catskill NY, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to complete and provides a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they usually take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program furnish a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, many employers require certification prior to employing technicians. Some 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 several states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, like California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a quality education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Training

First, let’s dispel one likely misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant portion of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Catskill 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 component of the training may be accessed online, it could be a more convenient option for many students. As an additional benefit, many online colleges are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some expenses, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a quality education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the best choice for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Since you now have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already selected the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the New York school is significant in addition to the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomy online school. Each of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for picking a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are some questions that you need to ask about all of the Catskill NY programs you are looking at prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for New York or the state where you will be working and preps you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you choose should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a superior education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools in Catskill NY. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate the reputations of any colleges you are considering. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen internet school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even check with a few Catskill NY local hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and ask if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the New York school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Adequate Training Included? First, check with the New York regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Catskill NY phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Find out from the New York schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with area healthcare facilities. They are the optimal means to get hands-on practical training frequently not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Catskill NY medical community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Finding your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the schools you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Catskill NY healthcare community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to confirm that the ultimate program you select offers classes at times that will accommodate your busy schedule. This is particularly true if you opt to still work while attending college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Catskill NY, make certain they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option also. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is should you need to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's helpful to reflect on questions you may be asked. One of the things that interviewers often ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What drove you to select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not just the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what attributes and skills you possess that make you good at your profession. You will likely be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of standard interview questions, so you should organize several strategies about how you want to respond to them. Given that there are numerous factors that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work appeals to you as well as the talents you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomist and the ideal candidate for the job. Don't try to memorize an answer, but jot down a few ideas and talking points that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Reading through sample responses can assist you to prepare your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to include to enthuse the recruiter.

Select the Ideal Phlebotomist School near Catskill NY

Making sure that you choose the right phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are available in a wide range of academic institutes, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Course offerings may vary slightly across the country as each state has its own requirements when it comes to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must carefully screen and compare each program prior to making your final decision. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the right college for you. And with the proper training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Catskill NY.

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