Picking a Phlebotomy Technician School near Pound Ridge New York

Picking the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Pound Ridge NY is an important initial step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult task to evaluate and compare each of the training alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you receive a superior education. In fact, most prospective students start their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Another factor you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll review more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and should be part of your selection process as well. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you pick the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomy Technician Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their main responsibility, there is actually much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the instruments being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork has to be correctly filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory testing procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Pound Ridge NY phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are accountable for making certain that samples are tested correctly under the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they might be asked to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The simplest response is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are numerous and diverse, including Pound Ridge NY hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be charged to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing blood from a particular type of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Certification and Licensing

There are basically 2 types of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Pound Ridge NY, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to complete and provides a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they usually take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program provide a more expansive background in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. Although not required in the majority of states, a number of employers require certification prior to hiring technicians. A few of the main 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 in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, including Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a premium education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Training

First, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A good part of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Pound Ridge NY healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-practical part of the training may be attended online, it may be a more convenient option for many students. As an added benefit, some online classes are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some expenditures, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist program you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a quality education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the right choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Since you now have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the type of program you want 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 as well as the cost of tuition. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist college. All of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for picking a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you should ask about each of the Pound Ridge NY schools you are reviewing prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomist program that satisfies the state specific requirements for New York or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for any examinations you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you pick should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited school in addition to a guarantee of a superior education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges in Pound Ridge NY. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s important to check the reputations of any colleges you are reviewing. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their students as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even contact several Pound Ridge NY area clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and see if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the New York school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Provided? First, check with the New York regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Pound Ridge NY phlebotomy program that you are considering should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums might indicate that the program is not expansive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internships Included? Find out from the New York programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with regional healthcare facilities. They are the optimal means to receive hands-on clinical training frequently not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Pound Ridge NY medical community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Finding your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Pound Ridge NY healthcare community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s crucial to make sure that the ultimate school you pick provides classes at times that will accommodate your hectic schedule. This is particularly true if you decide to still work while attending college. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Pound Ridge NY, check that they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option also. And if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is should you have to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's important to reflect on questions you may be asked. One of the things that interviewers frequently ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What made you decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not only the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what qualities and talents you possess that make you exceptional at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of general interview questions, so you must ready several strategies about how you would like to answer them. Considering there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this primary question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the profession interests you as well as the abilities you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Technician and the leading choice for the position. Don't try to memorize an answer, but write down some concepts and anecdotes that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample responses can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.

Find the Best Phlebotomist Program near Pound Ridge NY

Making certain that you choose the ideal phlebotomist training is a critical 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 quality school. Phlebotomist training programs are available in a variety of educational institutes, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Course offerings may vary somewhat from state to state as each state has its own mandates when it comes to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must diligently research and compare each school before making your final selection. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the best school for you. And with the appropriate training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Pound Ridge NY.

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