Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Elmont New York

Choosing the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Elmont NY is an important first step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult task to evaluate and compare each of the training options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to make sure that you get a superior education. In fact, most prospective students begin their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional factor you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss more about online classes later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and must be part of your decision process as well. To assist in that effort, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you select the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomy Tech Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their principal responsibility, there is in fact far more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the instruments being used are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork needs to be accurately completed in order 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 can be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Elmont NY phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are responsible for ensuring that samples are analyzed properly utilizing the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they may be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The simplest response is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are numerous and varied, including Elmont NY medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a certain type of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Training, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily two kinds of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Elmont NY, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to complete and provides a basic education along 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, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they usually require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program furnish a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will probably want to become certified. Although not required in most states, many employers look for 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 several states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, such as Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a premium education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Certificates and Degrees

First, let’s resolve one potential misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant portion of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Elmont NY healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-clinical component of the training can be accessed online, it can be a more convenient option for some students. As an additional benefit, many online colleges are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomist program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the right option for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Now that you have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the New York campus is important in addition to the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist program. Each of these decisions are an important component of the process for picking a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are a few questions that you need to ask about all of the Elmont NY colleges you are considering prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomy program that meets 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 College Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you pick should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a quality education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify 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 not available for non-accredited programs in Elmont NY. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to investigate the reputations of all 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 assistance program. You can screen online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even contact several Elmont NY local hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and ask 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 filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Provided? First, contact the New York regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Elmont NY phlebotomy program that you are looking at should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Ask the New York colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with local healthcare facilities. They are the ideal means to receive hands-on practical training frequently not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Elmont NY health care community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Finding your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the programs you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Elmont NY healthcare community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s crucial to verify that the ultimate school you pick provides classes at times that will accommodate your busy schedule. This is especially important if you choose to still work while attending college. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Elmont NY, make sure they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option as well. And if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is should you need to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomist?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's helpful to consider questions you might be asked. Among the questions that hiring managers often ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What drove you to decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not just the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what characteristics and abilities you have that make you exceptional at what you do. You will probably be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of standard interview questions, so you should organize a number of strategies about how you would like to address them. Given that there are several factors that go into choosing a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the profession interests you along with the abilities you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Technician and the perfiect choice for the job. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but jot down several ideas and topics that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample responses can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.

Find the Right Phlebotomy Program near Elmont NY

Making certain that you select the ideal phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this rewarding medical care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be found in a number of academic institutes, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Course options may vary slightly across the country as each state has its own requirements when it concerns phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must carefully screen and compare each program before making your final decision. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the right program for you. And with the proper training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Elmont NY.

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