Picking a Phlebotomist School near Merrick New York

Picking the right phlebotomy training near Merrick NY is an essential first step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging undertaking to investigate and compare all of the training options that are accessible to you. However it’s vital that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a superior education. In reality, a large number of potential students start the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional option you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and must be part of your decision process as well. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you select the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomy Tech Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their principal function, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must check that the instruments being utilized are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork has to be accurately filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab testing process. The phlebotomist then delivers 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 Merrick NY phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are accountable for making sure that samples are tested properly under the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they can be asked to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The easiest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are numerous and diverse, such as Merrick NY hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a specific type of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be drawing blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Licensing and Certification

There are basically two kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Merrick NY, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to complete and furnishes a basic education together with 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, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they normally take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program furnish a more expansive background in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not required in the majority of states, many employers look for certification before 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 several states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, including Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a superior education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Classes

First, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial component of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Merrick NY healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-clinical part of the training may be attended online, it may be a more convenient option for many students. As an additional benefit, some online schools are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some expenditures, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a superior education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the right choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Now that you have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already selected the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the New York college is significant as well as the tuition expense. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy school. Each of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for choosing a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you need to ask about each of the Merrick NY programs you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. 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 all exams you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from an assurance of a superior education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are often unavailable for non-accredited programs in Merrick NY. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of all schools you are looking at. 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 research internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even talk to a few Merrick NY area hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and find out if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the New York school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Adequate 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 clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Merrick NY phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Find out from the New York colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with local 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 contacts within the local Merrick NY health care community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Finding your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the schools you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a higher rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Merrick NY health care community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s important to confirm that the ultimate school you pick offers classes at times that will accommodate your busy schedule. This is especially true if you opt to continue working while going to school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Merrick NY, check that they are offered at those times. Also, 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 clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is in case you have to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's helpful to review questions you might be asked. Among the questions that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What compelled you to decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not just the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what attributes and abilities you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will likely be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of typical interview questions, so you must ready several ideas about how you want to address them. Since there are so many variables that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the work appeals to you in addition to the talents you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the ideal candidate for the position. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but write down some concepts and anecdotes that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can help you to develop your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to wow the interviewer.

Choose the Right Phlebotomist College near Merrick NY

Making certain that you pick the right phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding healthcare field. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomy training programs are available in a wide range of academic institutions, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive assortment of courses in medical care and health sciences. Training program options may vary slightly from state to state as every state has its own criteria when it pertains to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to carefully research and compare each program before making your ultimate selection. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the right college for you. And with the proper training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Merrick NY.

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