Choosing a Phlebotomy School near Ithaca New York

Choosing the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Ithaca NY is an essential first step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging task to investigate and compare all of the training alternatives that are accessible to you. However it’s important that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you obtain a superior education. In fact, many students begin the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Another option you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and should be part of your decision process as well. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you select the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomy Technician Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their main function, there is actually far more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the instruments being employed are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork has to be correctly filled out to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening process. 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 infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many Ithaca NY phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are responsible for making sure that samples are tested properly utilizing the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they can be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The easiest response is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are numerous and diverse, such as Ithaca NY medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a specific kind of patient. For example, 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 drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Training, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially two types of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Ithaca NY, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to complete and offers a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they usually require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program provide a more expansive background in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will probably want to become certified. Although not mandated in most states, many employers look for certification prior to employing technicians. A few of the primary 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 call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, like Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a premium education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Colleges

To start with, let’s resolve one likely misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial portion of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Ithaca 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-practical component of the training may be attended online, it could be a more practical alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, some online colleges are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some expenses, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a quality education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the best choice for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Now that you have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already decided on the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the New York college is important in addition to the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy program. All of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for selecting a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you need to ask about all of the Ithaca NY schools you are considering prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to New York? 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. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. 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 have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you select should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a premium education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited programs in Ithaca NY. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate the reputations of any schools you are reviewing. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even check with a few Ithaca NY area clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and find out if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the New York school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Adequate Training Provided? First, check with 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. As a minimum, any Ithaca 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 lower than these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Find out from the New York schools you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with local health care facilities. They are the optimal way to get hands-on practical training typically not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Ithaca NY medical community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Offered? Getting your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Find out if the colleges you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Ithaca NY healthcare community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s important to confirm that the ultimate college you choose provides classes at times that will accommodate your busy lifestyle. This is especially true if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Ithaca NY, check that they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is should you have to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomist?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's important to review questions you could be asked. One of the questions that interviewers frequently ask Phlebotomy Tech candidates is "What made you decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not just the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but also what qualities and talents you have that make you outstanding at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of standard interview questions, so you should organize several approaches about how you would like to address them. Given that there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the profession interests you as well as the strengths you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomist and the leading choice for the job. Don't try to memorize an answer, but jot down a few concepts and topics that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can assist you to prepare your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.

Enroll in the Best Phlebotomist College near Ithaca NY

Making certain that you choose the ideal phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be found in a number of educational institutions, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive assortment of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program options can differ a bit from state to state as every state has its own criteria when it comes to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must carefully screen and compare each school before making your ultimate selection. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the best college for you. And with the appropriate education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Ithaca NY.

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