Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician School near Jamesport New York

Selecting the ideal phlebotomist training near Jamesport NY is an important first step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting undertaking to analyze and compare all of the school options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you do your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a superior education. In reality, a large number of potential students begin their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional option you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and should be part of your selection process as well. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you pick the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomy Tech Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their principal task, there is in fact much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the instruments being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork has to be properly filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab testing procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Jamesport NY phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are responsible for ensuring that samples are tested properly utilizing the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they may be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The easiest response is wherever they treat patients. Their workplaces are numerous and diverse, including Jamesport NY hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a particular type of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients each day.

Phlebotomist Training, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily 2 types of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Jamesport NY, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to complete and furnishes a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they normally require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program provide a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will probably want to become certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, most employers require certification prior to hiring technicians. Some 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 several states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, including California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a superior education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Classes

To start with, let’s resolve one possible misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant part of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Jamesport 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. But since the non-practical portion of the training can be attended online, it could be a more convenient alternative for many students. As an added benefit, some online schools are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some costs, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a superior education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the right choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Since you now have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already picked the kind 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 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 choosing a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Following are a few questions that you need to ask about all of the Jamesport NY schools you are looking at before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to New York? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for New York or the state where you will be working and readies you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you select should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits 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 earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are typically not available for non-accredited colleges in Jamesport NY. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of any schools you are reviewing. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can research online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also check with a few Jamesport NY area hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and ask if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with the New York school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Provided? First, 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 Jamesport NY phlebotomy program that you are looking at should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most 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 Internship Programs Included? Find out from the New York schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with area healthcare facilities. They are the optimal means to obtain hands-on clinical training frequently not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Jamesport NY medical community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Offered? Getting your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a higher rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Jamesport NY medical community.

Are Class Times Available as Needed? Finally, it’s crucial to verify that the final school you pick offers classes at times that will accommodate your hectic lifestyle. This is particularly important if you decide to continue working while going to school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Jamesport NY, check that they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option as well. Even 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 protocol is in case you have to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's helpful to consider questions you may be asked. Among the things that recruiters often ask Phlebotomy Tech prospects is "What compelled you to pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not only the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what characteristics and skills you possess that make you good at what you do. You will likely be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of typical interview questions, so you should ready a number of approaches about how you want to answer them. Because there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the talents you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomist and the ideal choice for the position. Don't try to memorize an answer, but write down some ideas and topics that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can assist you to prepare your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.

Enroll in the Ideal Phlebotomist College near Jamesport NY

Making sure that you choose the ideal phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomist training programs can be available in a wide range of educational institutions, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive array of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program offerings can differ slightly across the country as every state has its own requirements when it comes to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to diligently evaluate and compare each program prior to making your final choice. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the best college for you. And with the appropriate education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Jamesport NY.

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