Choosing a Phlebotomy School near Glenmont New York

Choosing the right phlebotomist training near Glenmont NY is an important first step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult task to assess and compare each of the school alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you receive a superior education. In fact, many students begin their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional factor you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online classes 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 cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and must be part of your decision process also. Toward that end, 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 best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomy Tech Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their principal function, there is actually so much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the instruments being employed are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork needs to 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 in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Glenmont NY phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are accountable for making sure that samples are tested correctly utilizing the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they can be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The most basic answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are numerous and diverse, such as Glenmont NY medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a particular type 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 newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients every day.

Phlebotomy Education, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily 2 kinds of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Glenmont NY, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to complete and provides a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they usually take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program provide a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will probably want to get certified. Although not required in the majority of states, most employers require certification before hiring technicians. A few of the key 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 require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, including California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a quality education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Training

First, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial portion of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Glenmont 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. However since the non-clinical part of the training can be attended online, it can be a more practical option for many students. As an additional benefit, a number of online classes are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some expenses, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a superior education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the best choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Now that you have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already selected the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the New York campus is important in addition to the tuition expense. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist school. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for picking a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are some questions that you should ask about each of the Glenmont NY colleges you are considering before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomist program that satisfies the state specific requirements for New York or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for any examinations you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you choose 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 advantages to graduating from an accredited school in addition to a guarantee of a quality education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are typically not available for non-accredited programs in Glenmont NY. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of all schools you are looking at. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can research online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also contact several Glenmont NY area clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and see if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the New York school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Provided? To begin with, 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 classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Glenmont NY phlebotomist program that you are considering 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 provide adequate training.

Are Internships Provided? Find out from the New York programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with local medical facilities. They are the optimal way to receive hands-on practical training frequently not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Glenmont NY health care community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Getting your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Find out if the colleges you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Glenmont NY healthcare community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s crucial to make sure that the final program you choose offers classes at times that are compatible with your busy lifestyle. This is especially true if you decide to continue working while going to college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Glenmont NY, make sure they are available 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 clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is in case you have to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's a good idea to review questions you may be asked. One of the things that hiring managers frequently ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What compelled you to pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not merely the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but also what characteristics and skills you have that make you exceptional at what you do. You will probably be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of typical interview questions, so you must ready some strategies about how you want to address them. Since there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this primary question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession appeals to you as well as the abilities you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Technician and the best choice for the job. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but write down several ideas and topics that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can assist you to prepare your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.

Find the Ideal Phlebotomy School near Glenmont NY

Making sure that you enroll in the ideal phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying health care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomy training programs can be found in a variety of educational institutions, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide assortment of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Course options may differ a bit from state to state as every state has its own criteria when it comes to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must carefully evaluate and compare each program prior to making your ultimate decision. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the right program for you. And with the proper training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Glenmont NY.

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