Picking a Phlebotomist Course near Elmira New York

Selecting the ideal phlebotomist training near Elmira NY is an important initial step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult task to investigate and compare all of the training options that are available to you. However it’s vital that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you receive a quality education. In reality, most students begin the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another option you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll talk more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and should be part of your selection process also. To assist in that effort, we will furnish a list of questions that you should 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 address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomist Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their primary function, there is actually far more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the tools being used are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork must be accurately completed in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory screening procedure. The phlebotomist then transports 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. Some Elmira NY phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are accountable for ensuring that samples are tested properly utilizing the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they might be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The quickest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their workplaces are many and diverse, such as Elmira NY hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a specific kind of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Certification and Licensing

There are basically 2 types of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Elmira NY, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to complete and offers a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they usually take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program provide a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not mandated in most states, a number of employers look for 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 some states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, like Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a superior education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Schools

To start with, let’s resolve one possible misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant portion of the course of study will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Elmira 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. But since the non-clinical portion of the training may be attended online, it could be a more convenient option for some students. As an added benefit, a number of online programs are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some expenditures, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered also. Just verify that the online phlebotomist school you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a quality education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the ideal option for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Now that you have a basic understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already chosen 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 campus is significant in addition to the cost of tuition. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist college. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the process for choosing a program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you need to ask about all of the Elmira NY colleges you are considering prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, 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 amount of clinical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for New York or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for all exams you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you select should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a quality education. First, 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 organizations. Next, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges in Elmira NY. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to check out the reputations of any schools you are looking at. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can research online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also contact several Elmira NY area 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 find out if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges 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 clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Elmira NY phlebotomy program that you are reviewing 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 signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internships Provided? Find out from the New York programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with regional healthcare facilities. They are the optimal means to receive hands-on clinical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Elmira NY health care community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Getting your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Elmira NY health care community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? And last, it’s important to make sure that the final school you pick provides classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is especially true if you choose to continue working while attending school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Elmira NY, make sure they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option also. And if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up procedure is should you need to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's important to reflect on questions you might be asked. Among the things that hiring managers often ask Phlebotomy Technician prospects is "What drove you to decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not merely the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomist, but additionally what attributes and abilities you possess that make you good at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of routine interview questions, so you need to ready a number of approaches about how you would like to respond to them. Considering there are several factors that go into choosing a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the strengths you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the best choice for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but write down a few ideas and anecdotes that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can assist you to formulate your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.

Find the Right Phlebotomy School near Elmira NY

Making sure that you enroll in the right phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are available in a number of educational institutes, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive range of courses in medical care and health sciences. Training program offerings can vary slightly across the country as each state has its own mandates when it pertains to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to carefully 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 select the ideal program for you. And with the proper training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Elmira NY.

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