Picking a Phlebotomist Course near Massapequa Park New York

Enrolling in the right phlebotomist training near Massapequa Park NY is an important initial step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting undertaking to assess and compare each of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. However it’s important that you do your due diligence to make sure that you get a superior education. In fact, most prospective students start the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional factor you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and must be part of your selection process as well. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you pick the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomist Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their main function, there is in fact far more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the tools being employed are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork needs to be properly filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory testing procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Massapequa Park NY phlebotomists actually work in labs and are in charge of making sure that samples are tested properly using the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they may be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The most basic response is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are many and diverse, such as Massapequa Park NY hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, 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 practice and their training, specialize in drawing blood from a certain kind of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Education, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily 2 types of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Massapequa Park NY, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to complete and offers a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they normally require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program provide a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, a number of employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. Some of the principal certifying agencies 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, such as California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a quality education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Training

To start with, let’s resolve one likely misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial part of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Massapequa 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. But since the non-clinical part of the training can be attended online, it can be a more convenient option for some students. As an added 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 minimized as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy program 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 obtain a quality education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the best option for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Since you now have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already selected the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the New York college is relevant as well as the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomist online program. Each of these decisions are an important component of the process for selecting a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you should ask about each of the Massapequa Park NY schools you are considering before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As previously mentioned, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for New York or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for any examinations you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you select should be accredited by a recognized national or regional accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a quality education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Massapequa Park NY. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to investigate the reputations of any schools you are considering. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also contact several Massapequa Park NY area clinics or hospitals that you may 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 ask if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Ample Training Included? 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. As a minimum, any Massapequa Park NY phlebotomy program that you are considering should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internships Included? Ask the New York programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with regional healthcare facilities. They are the ideal means to receive hands-on clinical training often not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Massapequa Park NY medical community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Offered? Landing your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation together with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Massapequa Park NY health care community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to confirm that the final college you select provides classes at times that are compatible with your active schedule. This is especially important if you decide to still work while attending college. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Massapequa Park NY, make sure they are offered at those times. Additionally, 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 fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is in case you have to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's important to consider questions you may be asked. One of the questions that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomy Technician prospects is "What drove you to select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not just the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but also what characteristics and skills you have that make you good at your profession. You will probably be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of standard interview questions, so you need to prepare a number of ideas about how you would like to answer them. Given that there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this primary question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession appeals to you in addition to the abilities you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the ideal candidate for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but take down several concepts and talking points that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample responses can assist you to develop your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.

Enroll in the Ideal Phlebotomist Course near Massapequa Park NY

Making certain that you select the ideal phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this rewarding healthcare field. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are available in a number of academic institutes, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive array of courses in medical care and health sciences. Training program offerings can vary slightly across the country as every state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must carefully evaluate and compare each program before making your final choice. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the best college for you. And with the appropriate education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Massapequa Park NY.

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