Picking a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Niagara Falls New York

Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomy school near Niagara Falls NY is a critical initial step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging task to evaluate and compare each of the training options that are available to you. However it’s important that you complete your due diligence to make certain that you get a quality education. In fact, many students start their search by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another option you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is a lot 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 need to be part of your selection process too. 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 address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomy Technician Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their principal function, there is actually so much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to confirm that the instruments being utilized are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork needs to be accurately completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory screening process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some Niagara Falls NY phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are in charge of ensuring that samples are tested correctly using the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they might be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The most basic response is wherever they treat patients. Their workplaces are many and diverse, such as Niagara Falls NY hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a particular type of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are practicing 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 collect samples from different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Training, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially two kinds of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Niagara Falls NY, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to complete and furnishes a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will include training to become a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they usually take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program provide a more extensive background in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. While not required in the majority of states, most employers require certification prior to employing technicians. Some of the key 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 in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, such as California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a quality education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Colleges

First, let’s dispel one possible misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A good component of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Niagara Falls 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 can be accessed online, it may be a more practical alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, a number of online programs are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some expenditures, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a quality education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online may be the ideal 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 may have already selected the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the New York campus is significant in addition to the cost of tuition. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist school. All of these decisions are an important part of the process for selecting a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Following are a few questions that you should ask about all of the Niagara Falls NY colleges you are reviewing before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to New York? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for New York or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a premium 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 earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited schools in Niagara Falls NY. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate the reputations of all schools you are considering. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also talk to a few Niagara Falls NY local clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and see if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the New York school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Enough Training Provided? To begin with, check with the New York regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Niagara Falls NY phlebotomy program that you are considering should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask the New York colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional healthcare facilities. They are the ideal means to get hands-on clinical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Niagara Falls NY health care community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Getting your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a higher rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Niagara Falls NY healthcare community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s important to make sure that the ultimate school you pick offers classes at times that are compatible with your hectic schedule. This is especially important if you decide to still work while attending school. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Niagara Falls NY, check that they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to study 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 in case you need to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's advantageous to reflect on questions you may be asked. One of the questions that hiring managers typically ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What compelled you to pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not just the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what attributes and skills you have that make you good at your profession. You will likely be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of general interview questions, so you need to organize several approaches about how you would like to respond to them. Because there are numerous factors that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the work appeals to you as well as the strengths you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Technician and the ideal choice for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but jot down some concepts and topics that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Going over sample responses can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the interviewer.

Enroll in the Right Phlebotomy School near Niagara Falls NY

Making sure that you choose the ideal phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding health care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior school. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are found in a wide range of educational institutes, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program options may differ somewhat from state to state as each state has its own requirements when it concerns phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must carefully research and compare each program before making your ultimate decision. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the best program for you. And with the appropriate education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Niagara Falls NY.

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