Selecting a Phlebotomist Training Program near Croton Falls New York

Picking the ideal phlebotomy technician training near Croton Falls NY is an important first step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting task to analyze and compare all of the training options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to make sure that you receive a quality education. In fact, most students begin their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another option you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and should be part of your selection process as well. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you choose the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their main task, there is in fact far more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the tools being used are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork must be accurately completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory testing procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers 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. Many Croton Falls NY phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are accountable for making sure that samples are tested properly utilizing the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they might be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The quickest response is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are many and diverse, including Croton Falls NY medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. 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 practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a certain type of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients each day.

Phlebotomy Education, Licensing and Certification

There are basically 2 types of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Croton Falls NY, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to finish and furnishes a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they usually take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program provide a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will probably want to become certified. While not required in most states, most employers look for certification prior to employing technicians. A few of the primary certifying organizations 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 prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, like California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a superior education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Schools

To start with, let’s dispel one potential misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant component of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Croton Falls 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 prior to graduation. However since the non-clinical portion of the training can be attended online, it can be a more practical alternative for some students. As an added benefit, many online classes are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some costs, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced also. Just verify that the online phlebotomy school you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a premium education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the ideal choice for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Now that you have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already decided on the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the New York college is significant in addition to the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy program. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the process for picking a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Following are a few questions that you should ask about each of the Croton Falls NY colleges you are considering prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for New York or the state where you will be working and prepares you for all exams you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you select should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a premium education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Croton Falls NY. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to check the reputations of any 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 screen online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also check with a few Croton Falls NY local hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and ask if they can provide any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the New York school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? First, contact the New York regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Croton Falls NY phlebotomist program that you are considering should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Ask the New York programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with area health care facilities. They are the ideal means to obtain hands-on practical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Croton Falls NY health care community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Available? Getting your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Ask if the programs you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school 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 Croton Falls NY healthcare community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to make sure that the final school you select offers classes at times that are compatible with your hectic schedule. This is especially true if you choose to still work while attending college. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Croton Falls NY, make certain they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option also. And if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up procedure is in case you have to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's helpful to review questions you could be asked. Among the questions that interviewers often ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What made you pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not just the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but additionally what attributes and skills you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of routine interview questions, so you need to ready a number of strategies about how you want to address them. Considering there are numerous factors that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the strengths you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Technician and the best choice for the job. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but take down some concepts and topics that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Going over sample responses can assist you to develop your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the interviewer.

Choose the Best Phlebotomist Course near Croton Falls NY

Making certain that you enroll in the most suitable phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be found in a variety of academic institutes, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive range of programs in medical care and health sciences. Training program offerings may vary slightly across the country as each state has its own prerequisites when it comes to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must carefully research and compare each school prior to making your final choice. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the best program for you. And with the proper training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Croton Falls NY.

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