Picking a Phlebotomy Course near Hartsdale New York

Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomy technician training near Hartsdale NY is a critical initial step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging task to evaluate and compare each of the training alternatives that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to make sure that you get a quality education. In reality, most students start their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Another factor you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll review a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and must be part of your selection process also. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you select the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomist Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their principal duty, there is actually far more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the tools being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork must be accurately completed in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Hartsdale NY phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are in charge of ensuring that samples are tested properly under the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they can be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The easiest response is wherever patients are treated. Their workplaces are many and diverse, such as Hartsdale NY medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be charged to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a certain kind of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from new patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Licensing and Certification

There are basically 2 types of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Hartsdale NY, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to finish and provides a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they usually require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program furnish a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. Although not mandated in most states, most employers require certification prior to hiring technicians. A few of the main certifying organizations 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, like Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a premium education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Schools

To begin with, let’s resolve one potential mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial part of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Hartsdale NY healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-clinical component of the training may be accessed online, it might be a more practical option for many students. As an additional benefit, some online colleges are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some costs, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy college you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a quality education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the best option for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Now that you have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already decided on the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the New York school is important as well as the cost of tuition. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomist online school. Each of these decisions are an important part of the process for selecting a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Following are several questions that you should ask about all of the Hartsdale NY programs you are reviewing before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to New York? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for New York or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you select should be accredited by a reputable 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 an assurance of a superior education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools in Hartsdale NY. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to check the reputations of all schools you are reviewing. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even contact some Hartsdale NY local clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and see if they can offer any insights. As a final thought, you can check with the New York school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted 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 working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Hartsdale NY phlebotomist program that you are considering should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums might signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask the New York programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with local health care facilities. They are the optimal way to get hands-on clinical training frequently not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Hartsdale NY medical community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Finding your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Hartsdale NY healthcare community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s critical to make sure that the ultimate program you select offers classes at times that will accommodate your busy schedule. This is particularly true if you decide to still work while attending school. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Hartsdale NY, check that they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option also. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is in case you have to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's helpful to reflect on questions you could be asked. Among the questions that interviewers typically ask Phlebotomy Tech prospects is "What made you pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not merely the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what characteristics and talents you have that make you outstanding at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of general interview questions, so you must organize some ideas about how you want to address them. Given that there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you along with the strengths you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Technician and the best choice for the position. Don't try to memorize an answer, but write down several ideas and talking points that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can assist you to prepare your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the interviewer.

Find the Best Phlebotomy College near Hartsdale NY

Making sure that you select the ideal phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomy training programs are offered in a number of educational institutions, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide range of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Program offerings can vary a bit across the country as each state has its own requirements when it pertains to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must carefully screen and compare each program prior to making your final selection. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the best college for you. And with the proper training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Hartsdale NY.

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