Picking a Phlebotomist Course near Old Westbury New York

Choosing the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Old Westbury NY is a critical initial step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging task to evaluate and compare all of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. However it’s important that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you get a quality education. In reality, many potential students start the process by considering 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 a local campus. We’ll discuss more about online schools later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and must be part of your decision process too. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you select the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their primary task, there is actually so much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the tools being utilized are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample has to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork has to be accurately completed in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory screening procedure. The phlebotomist then transports 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. Some Old Westbury NY phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are in charge of making certain that samples are analyzed properly utilizing the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they may be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The easiest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are many and diverse, including Old Westbury NY hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be charged to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a specific kind of patient. For instance, those practicing 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 collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially two types of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Old Westbury NY, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to finish and offers a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they typically take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program provide a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, most 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 several states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, including California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a superior education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Training

To start with, let’s dispel one potential misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A good part of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Old Westbury 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 can be attended online, it may be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an added benefit, a number of online schools are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some expenditures, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomist college you select 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 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 choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Now that you have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the New York college is important as well as the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy college. All of these decisions are an important component of the procedure 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 Old Westbury NY colleges you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed before working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely 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 College Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a recognized national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from a guarantee of a superior education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges in Old Westbury NY. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. 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 place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can research online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also contact several Old Westbury NY area hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and find out if they can provide any insights. As a closing 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 Ample Training Included? First, 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 length of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Old Westbury NY phlebotomist program that you are considering should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Find out from the New York schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional medical facilities. They are the optimal way to receive hands-on practical training typically not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Old Westbury NY healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Landing your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the Old Westbury NY medical community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s important to make sure that the ultimate program you pick provides classes at times that will accommodate your busy schedule. This is particularly important if you decide to still work while attending college. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near Old Westbury NY, make sure they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option also. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is in case you have to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's important to reflect on questions you could be asked. Among the questions that interviewers typically ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What made you select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not just the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what characteristics and abilities you have that make you exceptional at what you do. You will likely be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of general interview questions, so you must organize some strategies about how you would like to answer them. Considering there are numerous variables that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you along with the strengths you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the perfiect candidate for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but jot down a few ideas and topics that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can assist you to formulate your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to impress the recruiter.

Find the Right Phlebotomy School near Old Westbury NY

Making sure that you choose the right phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomy training programs are available in a number of academic institutions, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive range of courses in medical care and health sciences. Course offerings can differ slightly across the country as each state has its own requirements when it pertains to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to carefully screen and compare each school before making your ultimate selection. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the right college for you. And with the proper training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Old Westbury NY.

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