Picking a Phlebotomy Technician School near Franklin New York

Picking the right phlebotomy technician school near Franklin NY is an important first step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting task to assess and compare each of the training options that are available to you. However it’s important that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a quality education. In fact, many prospective students start the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional factor you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and must be part of your selection process also. 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 pick the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomy Tech Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their main duty, there is actually far more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must check that the tools being employed are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork has to be correctly completed to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab testing process. The phlebotomist then delivers 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 Franklin NY phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are in charge of ensuring that samples are tested correctly using the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they can be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The simplest answer is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are numerous and varied, such as Franklin NY medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing blood from a particular kind of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be collecting blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Education, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially two types of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Franklin NY, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to finish and furnishes a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they normally take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program furnish a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will probably want to become certified. Although not mandated in most states, many employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. A few of the primary 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, including California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a premium education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Certificates and Degrees

To begin with, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial portion of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Franklin 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 in order to graduate. But since the non-practical part of the training can be accessed online, it may be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, a number of online colleges are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some costs, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist college you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online may be the best choice for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Since you now have a basic understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already selected the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the New York campus is relevant in addition to the cost of tuition. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy school. All of these decisions are an important part of the process for selecting a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are several questions that you should ask about each of the Franklin NY schools you are considering prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. 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. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomist program that meets 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 College Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you pick should be accredited by a highly regarded 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 superior education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are often not available for non-accredited programs in Franklin NY. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s important to check the reputations of any schools you are considering. You can start 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 reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also contact several Franklin NY local hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and see if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the New York school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Adequate Training Included? First, check with the New York regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Franklin NY phlebotomist program that you are looking at should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Ask the New York colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with local health care facilities. They are the optimal means to get hands-on clinical training often not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Franklin NY medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Landing your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out 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 the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Franklin NY medical community.

Are Class Times Available as Needed? And last, it’s important to verify that the ultimate school you choose offers classes at times that are compatible with your busy schedule. This is especially true if you opt to still work while attending school. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Franklin NY, make sure they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option also. Even if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is in case you need to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's helpful to reflect on questions you may be asked. Among the things that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What compelled you to pick 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 qualities and skills you have that make you outstanding at your profession. You will probably be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of routine interview questions, so you must ready a number of ideas about how you want to address them. Since there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession interests you in addition to the talents you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the leading candidate for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but write down some concepts and talking points that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Going over sample responses can help you to develop your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to wow the interviewer.

Select the Best Phlebotomy School near Franklin NY

Making certain that you enroll in the ideal phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomist training programs are offered in a number of academic institutions, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive assortment of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Course options may vary slightly across the country as every state has its own criteria when it comes to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must carefully evaluate and compare each school before making your ultimate selection. By asking 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 education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Franklin NY.

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