Picking a Phlebotomist Course near Huntington Station New York

Picking the right phlebotomy technician school near Huntington Station NY is an essential first step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting undertaking to assess and compare all of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. However it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to make certain that you receive a quality education. In reality, most students start their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another option you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll discuss more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and must be part of your decision process as well. Toward that end, we will provide 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 afterwards continue our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their primary function, there is actually much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the instruments being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork must be properly filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory screening procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers 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. Many Huntington Station NY phlebotomists actually work in labs and are responsible for making certain that samples are analyzed properly using the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they can be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The easiest answer is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are many and varied, such as Huntington Station NY hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a specific kind of patient. For example, those working 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 drawing blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Licensing and Certification

There are basically two types of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Huntington Station NY, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to finish and furnishes a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they typically require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program offer a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. While not mandated in most states, many employers require certification before 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 some states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, including California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only furnishes a premium education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Classes

To start with, let’s resolve one potential mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial portion of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Huntington Station 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 in order to graduate. However since the non-practical portion of the training may be attended online, it may be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, a number of online programs are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenditures, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomist school you choose 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 premium education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the right choice for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Since you now 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 intend 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 cost of tuition. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist college. Each of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for choosing a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are some questions that you should ask about each of the Huntington Station NY schools you are reviewing prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to New York? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for New York or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you pick should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting organization, for example 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 superior 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. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited programs in Huntington Station NY. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of all schools you are considering. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job assistance program. You can screen internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also talk to a few Huntington Station NY area clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and find out if they can provide 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 total compliance.

Is Ample Training Provided? To begin with, 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 amount of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Huntington Station NY phlebotomist program that you are considering should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Find out from the New York colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with regional health care facilities. They are the ideal means to obtain hands-on clinical training often not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local Huntington Station NY health care community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Offered? Finding your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation together with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Huntington Station NY healthcare community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s critical to verify that the final college you pick provides classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is especially important if you decide to still work while going to college. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Huntington Station NY, make sure they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option as well. And if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is should you have to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Become a Phlebotomist?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's important to consider questions you could be asked. Among the things that interviewers frequently ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What drove you to pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not only the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what characteristics and abilities you possess that make you outstanding at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of general interview questions, so you must organize several strategies about how you would like to address them. Considering there are several variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession appeals to you along with the abilities 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 a few concepts and talking points that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample responses can assist you to develop your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Enroll in the Right Phlebotomist School near Huntington Station NY

Making sure that you select the most suitable phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding health care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are offered in a number of academic institutes, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Training program offerings can differ somewhat from state to state as each state has its own criteria when it comes to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must thoroughly evaluate and compare each school before making your final decision. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the right college for you. And with the appropriate education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Huntington Station NY.

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