Selecting a Phlebotomy School near Germantown New York

Enrolling in the right phlebotomist training near Germantown NY is a critical first step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting undertaking to analyze and compare all of the school options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you receive a superior education. In reality, most potential students begin the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Another option you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll review a bit more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind 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 decision process as well. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing 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 continue our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomist Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their principal function, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the instruments being used are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork has to be correctly filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory screening procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Germantown NY phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are in charge of making sure that samples are tested correctly using the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they can be asked 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 workplaces are numerous and varied, such as Germantown NY medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a specific type of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home 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. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially 2 types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Germantown NY, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to complete and offers a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will include training to become a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they typically take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program provide a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not required in the majority of states, a number of employers require certification prior to hiring technicians. Some of the key certifying organizations 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 require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, like California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a quality education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Colleges

To start with, let’s resolve one possible mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A good component of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Germantown 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-practical portion of the training may be accessed online, it might be a more convenient option for some students. As an added benefit, some online classes are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenditures, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened also. Just verify that the online phlebotomist college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online may be the best option for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Since you now have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already decided on the kind 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 school is relevant as well as the tuition expense. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online program. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for choosing a program or school. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are some questions that you should ask about all of the Germantown NY schools you are reviewing before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As previously mentioned, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for New York or the state where you will be working and readies you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you select should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from a guarantee of a premium education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges in Germantown 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 Program’s Reputation? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to check the reputations of all colleges you are reviewing. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even talk to several Germantown NY area clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and find out if they can offer any insights. As a closing thought, you can check with the New York school licensing authority and find out 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 working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Germantown NY phlebotomy program that you are considering should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internships Provided? Find out from the New York colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with area healthcare facilities. They are the ideal means to get hands-on clinical training frequently not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Germantown NY health care community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Landing your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place the majority 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 Germantown NY medical community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s crucial to confirm that the ultimate program you select offers classes at times that will accommodate your active lifestyle. This is particularly true if you decide to continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Germantown NY, make certain they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option as well. 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 in case you need to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's helpful to consider questions you may be asked. Among the questions that interviewers frequently ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What drove you to pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not merely the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what qualities and abilities you possess that make you outstanding at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of general interview questions, so you must organize a number of ideas about how you want to address them. Since there are numerous factors that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this primary question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the profession appeals to you in addition to the strengths you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Technician and the ideal choice for the position. Don't try to memorize an answer, but write down some ideas and talking points that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample answers can assist you to develop your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to impress the recruiter.

Find the Right Phlebotomy Course near Germantown NY

Making certain that you choose the most suitable phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding medical care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a superior school. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be found in a wide range of educational institutes, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive assortment of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Program options may vary somewhat across the country as every state has its own criteria when it comes to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to carefully research and compare each college prior to making your final decision. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the ideal college for you. And with the proper education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Germantown NY.

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