Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Nassau New York

Selecting the ideal phlebotomist training near Nassau NY is an essential initial step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting task to investigate and compare each of the training alternatives that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you receive a superior education. In fact, many students begin their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Another factor you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and should be part of your decision process as well. To assist in that effort, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you choose the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomist Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their principal function, there is actually so much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the tools being employed are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork has to be correctly filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory 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 infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Nassau NY phlebotomists actually work in labs and are in charge of making certain that samples are tested correctly under the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they might be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The most basic response is wherever they treat patients. Their workplaces are numerous and diverse, such as Nassau NY hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a specific type of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients each day.

Phlebotomy Education, Licensing and Certification

There are basically 2 types of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Nassau NY, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to finish and provides a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they normally take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program provide a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will probably want to become certified. Although not required in most states, most employers look for certification before employing technicians. A few of the main 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 require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, such as Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a superior education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Colleges

To begin with, let’s resolve one likely mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant part of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Nassau 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. However since the non-practical component of the training may be attended online, it could be a more practical option for many students. As an added benefit, a number of online colleges are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a superior education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online may be the ideal choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Since you now have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already decided on the type 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 relevant as well as the tuition expense. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist school. Each of these decisions are an important part of the process for selecting a program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Following are several questions that you need to ask about each of the Nassau NY schools you are considering before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to New York? As mentioned previously, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for New York or the state where you will be working and readies you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you pick 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 school in addition to an assurance of a superior education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are typically not available for non-accredited schools in Nassau NY. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check out the reputations of all colleges you are considering. 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 screen online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even talk to a few Nassau NY area hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and see if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the New York school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in total 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 classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Nassau NY phlebotomist program that you are looking at should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask the New York programs you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with area health care facilities. They are the ideal way to receive hands-on clinical training frequently not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Nassau NY medical community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Finding your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Nassau NY healthcare community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s crucial to confirm that the final school you select offers classes at times that will accommodate your busy schedule. This is particularly true if you opt to still work while going to school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Nassau NY, check that they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option also. 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 find out what the make-up policy is should you need to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomist?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's helpful to reflect on questions you may be asked. Among the things that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What made you select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not merely the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what attributes and abilities you possess that make you exceptional at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of typical interview questions, so you need to prepare several strategies about how you would like to respond to them. Given that there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the talents you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Technician and the perfiect candidate for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but jot down a few concepts and talking points that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reading through sample answers can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.

Choose the Best Phlebotomy Course near Nassau NY

Making sure that you pick the right phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a superior school. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be available in a variety of educational institutes, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive assortment of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Course options can differ a bit across the country as every state has its own mandates when it pertains to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to diligently screen and compare each program prior to making your ultimate selection. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the right program for you. And with the appropriate training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Nassau NY.

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