Selecting a Phlebotomy Training Program near Island Park New York

Picking the right phlebotomy training near Island Park NY is an important first step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting undertaking to investigate and compare each of the school options that are accessible to you. However it’s important that you do your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a superior education. In reality, most potential students begin the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Another factor you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and must be part of your selection process as well. Toward that end, we will supply 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 address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomist Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their principal task, there is in fact much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the instruments being used are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be accurately completed to be able 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 screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Island Park NY phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are responsible for making sure that samples are tested correctly utilizing the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they can be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The quickest answer is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are numerous and diverse, such as Island Park NY medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a particular type of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Education, Licensing and Certification

There are basically 2 kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Island Park NY, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to finish and furnishes a general 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, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they usually require 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program furnish a more expansive background in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not required in the majority of states, a number of employers look for certification prior to employing 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 a few states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, like California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only furnishes a quality education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Schools

To begin with, let’s dispel one potential misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant portion of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Island Park 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 in order to graduate. However since the non-clinical part of the training may be accessed online, it might be a more convenient option for many students. As an additional benefit, many online schools are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenses, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered also. Just verify that the online phlebotomy program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a quality education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online may be the ideal choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

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

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to New York? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed before working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomist program that satisfies the state specific requirements for New York or the state where you will be working and preps you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you pick should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits 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 qualify to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited programs in Island Park NY. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of all colleges you are considering. 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 screen online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also talk to some Island Park NY local clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and find out if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the New York school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Plenty of 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 amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Island Park NY phlebotomist program that you are considering should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Ask the New York schools you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with regional healthcare facilities. They are the optimal way to get hands-on practical training frequently not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Island Park NY medical community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Landing your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Find out if the colleges you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Island Park NY health care community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to verify that the final school you choose provides classes at times that are compatible with your active schedule. This is especially true if you choose to still work while going to school. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near Island Park NY, make sure they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm 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 ask what the make-up procedure is in case you have to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Choose to Become a Phlebotomist?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you could be asked. Among the things that recruiters often ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What compelled you to select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not merely the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what characteristics and skills you possess that make you good at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of routine interview questions, so you must prepare a number of approaches about how you want to address them. Given that there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this primary question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the work appeals to you as well as the strengths you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Tech and the perfiect candidate for the job. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but jot down a few concepts and topics that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Going over sample answers can assist you to develop your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to enthuse the recruiter.

Select the Right Phlebotomy Course near Island Park NY

Making certain that you pick the right phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling healthcare field. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomy training programs are available in a number of academic institutes, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive range of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program options may differ slightly from state to state as every state has its own requirements when it concerns phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to carefully evaluate and compare each program before making your ultimate selection. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune 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 Island Park NY.

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