Picking a Phlebotomy Technician School near Mount Kisco New York

Choosing the right phlebotomy training near Mount Kisco NY is an essential initial step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting undertaking to investigate and compare each of the training alternatives that are available to you. However it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to make certain that you get a quality education. In fact, a large number of potential students start the process by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional factor you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll talk 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 closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and must be part of your selection process too. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you need to 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 address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomy Tech Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their main duty, there is in fact far more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the instruments being used are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample must be accurately 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 screening procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Mount Kisco NY phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are in charge of making certain that samples are tested correctly under the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they can be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The quickest response is wherever patients are treated. Their workplaces are many and diverse, including Mount Kisco NY hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a particular type of patient. For instance, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be collecting blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients every day.

Phlebotomist Training, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily two types of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Mount Kisco NY, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to finish and furnishes a basic 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, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they usually take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program provide a more extensive background in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will probably want to be certified. While not required in the majority of states, many employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. A few 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, including California and Nevada. 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 quality education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Schools

To begin with, let’s dispel one likely misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial component of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Mount Kisco 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-practical component of the training may be accessed 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 traditional competitors. And some expenses, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a quality education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the right choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Now that you have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already decided on the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the New York school is significant in addition to the cost of tuition. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy college. All of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for selecting a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Following are some questions that you need to ask about each of the Mount Kisco NY schools you are considering before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As previously mentioned, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount 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 extremely important to choose a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for New York or the state where you will be working and readies you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you pick should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a superior education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are often not available for non-accredited schools in Mount Kisco NY. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the School’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 in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to investigate the reputations of all colleges you are reviewing. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also contact several Mount Kisco NY local hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and ask if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can check with the New York school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? 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 clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Mount Kisco NY phlebotomist program that you are considering should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums might indicate that the program is not expansive enough to furnish 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 local medical facilities. They are the ideal way to obtain hands-on clinical training frequently not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Mount Kisco NY health care community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Getting your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the Mount Kisco NY health care community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to confirm that the ultimate program you select offers classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is especially important if you decide to still work while going to college. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Mount Kisco NY, make certain they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option as well. And if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is should you have to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Become a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's important to reflect on questions you might be asked. One of the questions that interviewers frequently ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What drove you to decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not only the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what characteristics and abilities you have that make you outstanding at your profession. You will likely be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of typical interview questions, so you must ready some approaches about how you want to respond to them. Since there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession interests you as well as the abilities you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the best candidate for the job. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but take down several concepts and topics that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample answers can assist you to prepare your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.

Choose the Best Phlebotomy School near Mount Kisco NY

Making certain that you pick the ideal phlebotomy training is an essential 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 program. Phlebotomy training programs can be found in a number of academic institutions, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive assortment of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Program offerings can differ slightly from state to state as each state has its own mandates when it concerns phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must carefully evaluate and compare each school before making your ultimate decision. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the ideal program for you. And with the proper training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Mount Kisco NY.

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