Selecting a Phlebotomy School near Pleasant Valley New York

Enrolling in the right phlebotomy technician training near Pleasant Valley NY is a critical initial step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging undertaking to assess and compare all of the training alternatives that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a quality education. In fact, most prospective students start their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional factor you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll talk 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 locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including 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 pick the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomy Tech Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their principal task, there is actually so much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the instruments being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork has to be accurately filled out to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Pleasant Valley NY phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are accountable for making certain that samples are analyzed correctly under the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they may be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The simplest answer is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are numerous and varied, including Pleasant Valley NY hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a particular type of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be drawing blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily 2 types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Pleasant Valley NY, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to finish and offers a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they normally take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program offer a more expansive background in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not mandated in most states, most employers look for certification before employing technicians. Some of the primary certifying organizations 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 phlebotomy tech, such as Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a premium education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Training

First, let’s dispel one possible misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant portion of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Pleasant Valley 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. However since the non-clinical portion of the training can be attended online, it could be a more convenient option for many students. As an added benefit, many online schools are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some expenses, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist school you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a premium education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the right option for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Now that you have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already decided on the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the New York school is significant as well as the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy school. All of these decisions are a critical component of the process for picking a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Following are some questions that you need to ask about all of the Pleasant Valley NY programs you are looking at prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for New York or the state where you will be working and preps you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you choose should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from a guarantee of a premium 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 obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Pleasant Valley NY. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of any schools you are looking at. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even talk to a few Pleasant Valley NY local hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and ask if they can provide any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the New York school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Ample Training Included? To begin with, 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 classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Pleasant Valley NY phlebotomist program that you are considering should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Ask the New York colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with area medical facilities. They are the ideal means to get hands-on practical training frequently not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Pleasant Valley NY medical community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Getting your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the Pleasant Valley NY healthcare community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? And last, it’s crucial to verify that the final program you select offers classes at times that will accommodate your busy lifestyle. This is particularly important if you opt to still work while going to college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Pleasant Valley NY, make certain they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option also. And if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is in case you need to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's helpful to review questions you might be asked. Among the things that hiring managers frequently ask Phlebotomist prospects is "What drove you to choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not merely the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomist, but additionally what characteristics and talents you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will likely be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of routine interview questions, so you should prepare some ideas about how you want to answer them. Because there are several factors that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work appeals to you along with the abilities you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Tech and the leading candidate for the position. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but write down a few concepts and topics that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample answers can help you to develop your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.

Enroll in the Best Phlebotomy School near Pleasant Valley NY

Making certain that you pick the right phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying health care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are found in a number of academic institutions, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive range of programs in medical care and health sciences. Course offerings can vary a bit from state to state as each state has its own criteria when it pertains to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to carefully research and compare each program before 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 ideal college for you. And with the appropriate education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Pleasant Valley NY.

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