Choosing a Phlebotomy School near Shelter Island New York

Picking the right phlebotomist training near Shelter Island NY is a critical initial step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting undertaking to analyze and compare all of the school 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 reality, most potential students begin the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another factor you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and must be part of your selection process too. To assist in that effort, we will supply 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 conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their primary function, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample has to be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork must be properly completed in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory screening process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Shelter Island NY phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are accountable for making sure that samples are tested properly under the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they might be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The simplest response is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are numerous and diverse, including Shelter Island NY hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a specific type of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily two types of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Shelter Island NY, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to complete and furnishes a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they normally take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program offer a more expansive background in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not required in most states, most employers require certification prior to hiring technicians. Some of the key certifying organizations include:

• National Phlebotomy Association
• National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
• American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
• American Medical Technologists (AMT)

There are a few states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, like California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a premium education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Schools

To begin with, let’s dispel one possible 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 Shelter Island NY healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-practical portion of the training may be accessed online, it could be a more practical alternative for some students. As an added benefit, many online colleges are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some expenses, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy program you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online might be the right choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Now that you have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already decided on the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the New York school is significant as well as the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy school. All of these decisions are a critical part of the process for picking a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you should ask about each of the Shelter Island NY schools you are considering before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for New York or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you select should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a superior education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are often not available for non-accredited programs in Shelter Island NY. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate the reputations of all schools you are looking at. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even contact a few Shelter Island NY local hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and ask if they can provide any recommendations. 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 colleges are in full compliance.

Is Adequate Training Provided? To begin with, contact the New York regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Shelter Island NY phlebotomy program that you are considering should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask the New York programs you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with local healthcare facilities. They are the ideal way to obtain hands-on clinical training often not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Shelter Island NY healthcare community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Landing your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Shelter Island NY healthcare community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s crucial to make sure that the final school you choose offers classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is especially true if you decide to continue working while attending college. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Shelter Island NY, make certain they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, make sure 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 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 prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's important to reflect on questions you may be asked. One of the questions that interviewers often ask Phlebotomy Tech prospects is "What compelled you to decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not only the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomist, but additionally what qualities and abilities you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of general interview questions, so you need to ready some ideas about how you want to address them. Because there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the profession appeals to you along with the talents you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomist and the ideal candidate for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but take down a few concepts and topics that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.

Choose the Best Phlebotomist Program near Shelter Island NY

Making sure that you pick the ideal phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior school. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be offered in a wide range of educational institutes, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide assortment of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings can vary slightly across the country as every state has its own mandates when it concerns phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must thoroughly research and compare each program before making your ultimate choice. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the ideal college for you. And with the proper education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Shelter Island NY.

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