Selecting a Phlebotomist School near Lincolndale New York

Enrolling in the right phlebotomist school near Lincolndale NY is a critical first step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting task to evaluate and compare each of the training options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a superior education. In reality, many prospective students begin the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another factor you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online classes later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and must be part of your decision process too. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you pick the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomy Technician Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their principal responsibility, there is actually much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the tools being employed are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork has to be correctly filled out to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Lincolndale NY phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are in charge of making sure that samples are tested correctly utilizing the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they may be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The easiest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are many and varied, such as Lincolndale NY hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be charged to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a specific type of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be drawing blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients every day.

Phlebotomist Training, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily two types of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Lincolndale NY, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to finish and furnishes a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest route 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 on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they usually take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program offer a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will probably want to be certified. While not required in most states, most employers require 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 phlebotomist, such as Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a quality education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Colleges

To begin with, let’s resolve one likely misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A good part of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Lincolndale NY healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-practical portion of the training may be accessed online, it can be a more convenient alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, a number of online schools are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some expenses, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized also. Just verify that the online phlebotomy school you select 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 method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the best option for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Now that you have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already selected the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the New York college is relevant as well as the tuition expense. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online school. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the process for selecting a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Following are some questions that you need to ask about each of the Lincolndale NY colleges you are reviewing prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomy 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 Program Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you select should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from 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 previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are frequently not available for non-accredited programs in Lincolndale 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 many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s important to check out the reputations of any schools you are considering. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even contact some Lincolndale NY local hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and find out if they can offer any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the New York school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Provided? To begin with, contact the New York regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Lincolndale NY phlebotomist program that you are looking at should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums might indicate that the program is not expansive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Find out from the New York programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with regional medical facilities. They are the ideal way to receive hands-on practical training typically not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Lincolndale NY health care community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Available? Getting your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Find out if the colleges you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Lincolndale NY health care community.

Are Class Times Available as Needed? And last, it’s critical to confirm that the final college you pick provides classes at times that will accommodate your busy lifestyle. This is particularly true if you choose to continue working while attending school. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Lincolndale NY, make sure they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is in case you need to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's helpful to consider questions you could be asked. One of the questions that interviewers often ask Phlebotomy Tech prospects is "What made you pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not just the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what characteristics and skills you have that make you outstanding at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of general interview questions, so you need to prepare some ideas about how you would like to respond to them. Because there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this primary question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the work appeals to you along with the abilities you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the perfiect choice for the position. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but jot down some ideas and topics that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample answers can assist you to formulate your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to impress the interviewer.

Find the Right Phlebotomist School near Lincolndale NY

Making certain that you enroll in the ideal phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare field. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are found in a wide range 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. Program offerings may vary a bit 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 need to diligently evaluate and compare each program before making your ultimate selection. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the ideal school for you. And with the appropriate training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Lincolndale NY.

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