Picking a Phlebotomist School near Dansville New York

Selecting the right phlebotomist school near Dansville NY is a critical first step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult task to assess and compare each of the training options that are accessible to you. However it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a quality education. In fact, a large number of students begin the process by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Another option you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and must be part of your decision process too. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you select the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomy Technician Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their primary task, there is actually far more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the instruments being utilized are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork must be properly completed to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory testing process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Dansville NY phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are responsible for ensuring that samples are tested properly using the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they might be required to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The most basic response is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are many and varied, including Dansville NY hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a specific kind of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients each day.

Phlebotomist Education, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially 2 kinds of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Dansville NY, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to complete and provides a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they usually require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program furnish a more extensive background in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, most employers require certification prior to hiring 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 a few states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, like California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a premium education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Colleges

To start with, let’s dispel one possible mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A good component of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Dansville NY healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-practical portion of the training may be accessed online, it could be a more convenient option for many students. As an additional benefit, some online schools are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a superior education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online may be the right choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Now that you have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the New York campus is relevant as well as the tuition expense. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomist online program. All of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for picking a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you should ask about all of the Dansville NY colleges you are considering prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? 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. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed before working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for New York or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for all exams you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you pick should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited program aside from an assurance of a quality education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are typically not available for non-accredited schools in Dansville NY. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to check out the reputations of any colleges you are looking at. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also contact some Dansville NY area hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and ask if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can check with the New York school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Included? To begin with, check with the New York regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Dansville NY phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should provide at least 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 comprehensive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask the New York programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with regional healthcare facilities. They are the ideal way to obtain hands-on practical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Dansville NY healthcare community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Available? Landing your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the programs you are looking at offer 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 school has both a good reputation together with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Dansville NY healthcare community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s crucial to confirm that the final program you pick provides classes at times that will accommodate your hectic lifestyle. This is especially important if you decide to still work while attending school. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near Dansville 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 sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is in case you need to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Desire to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's advantageous to review questions you may be asked. Among the things that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomist applicants is "What made you pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not only the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what characteristics and talents you have that make you good at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of general interview questions, so you need to prepare several strategies about how you would like to answer them. Since there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you along with the talents you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the ideal choice for the job. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but take down a few concepts and anecdotes that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Going over sample responses can assist you to prepare your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the interviewer.

Find the Best Phlebotomist College near Dansville NY

Making sure that you pick the most suitable phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare field. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are found in a variety of academic institutes, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive range of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program options can vary a bit from state to state as each state has its own criteria when it pertains to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to thoroughly research and compare each program before making your final decision. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the ideal school for you. And with the proper training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Dansville NY.

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