Choosing a Phlebotomist Course near Cooperstown New York

Enrolling in the right phlebotomy training near Cooperstown NY is an important first step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting undertaking to investigate and compare each of the training options that are available to you. However it’s important that you do your due diligence to make sure that you get a superior education. In fact, a large number of potential students begin the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another factor you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and should be part of your decision process also. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you pick the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomist Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their main function, there is in fact far more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to confirm that the instruments being utilized are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork has to be accurately completed to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Cooperstown NY phlebotomists actually work in labs and are in charge of making certain that samples are analyzed properly using the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they can be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The quickest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are many and varied, such as Cooperstown NY hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a particular type of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Certification and Licensing

There are basically two types of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Cooperstown NY, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to complete and provides a basic 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, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they usually require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program provide a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will probably want to get certified. While not required in the majority of states, most employers require 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 a few states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, such as California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a superior education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Training

To begin with, let’s resolve one potential mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial part of the course of study will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Cooperstown NY healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-practical component of the training can be attended online, it could be a more practical alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, some online colleges are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some expenses, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist college you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a quality education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the best option for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Now that you have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already selected 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 as well as the cost of tuition. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomist online program. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the process for selecting a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are a few questions that you need to ask about each of the Cooperstown NY schools you are reviewing before making your final selection.

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

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you choose should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a quality education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited programs in Cooperstown NY. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to check out the reputations of any schools you are reviewing. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even talk to a few Cooperstown NY area hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and find out if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact 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 Provided? To begin with, 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 amount of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Cooperstown 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 less than these minimums might indicate that the program is not expansive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internships Included? Ask the New York programs you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with regional medical facilities. They are the ideal way to receive hands-on clinical training often not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Cooperstown NY health care community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Offered? Landing your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement rate 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 large network of professional contacts within the Cooperstown NY healthcare community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s important to verify that the final program you pick offers classes at times that will accommodate your active lifestyle. This is particularly important if you decide to still work while going to school. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Cooperstown NY, check that they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option also. 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 should you have to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you may be asked. One of the things that hiring managers often ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What made you 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 also what characteristics and skills you possess that make you outstanding at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of standard interview questions, so you should prepare a number of ideas about how you would like to answer them. Given that there are several variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work appeals to you in addition to the talents you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Technician and the ideal choice for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but take down some concepts and anecdotes that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Reading through sample responses can help you to develop your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to impress the interviewer.

Enroll in the Right Phlebotomist Program near Cooperstown NY

Making sure that you pick the ideal phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this fulfilling healthcare field. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are available in a number of educational institutions, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide assortment of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Course offerings may vary slightly from state to state as each state has its own prerequisites when it pertains to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must thoroughly screen and compare each program before making your ultimate decision. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the right school for you. And with the proper education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Cooperstown NY.

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