Choosing a Phlebotomy Training Program near Shirley New York

Enrolling in the right phlebotomy technician training near Shirley NY is a critical initial step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting task to evaluate and compare all of the school options that are accessible to you. However it’s vital that you do your due diligence to ensure that you get a superior education. In fact, a large number of prospective students begin their search by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another option you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll review a bit more about online classes later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and need to be part of your decision process too. To assist in that effort, we will provide 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 before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their primary responsibility, there is in fact far more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the tools being used are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork must be correctly completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Shirley NY phlebotomists actually work in labs and are accountable for ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly using the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they may be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The simplest response is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are numerous and diverse, including Shirley 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 senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a certain kind of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Licensing and Certification

There are basically 2 kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Shirley NY, which are certificate and degree 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 means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they normally require 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program furnish a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will probably want to become certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, a number of employers require certification before 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 some states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, like California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a premium education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Certificates and Degrees

First, let’s resolve one likely mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant portion of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Shirley 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 prior to graduation. However since the non-clinical part of the training may be attended online, it might be a more convenient option for some students. As an added benefit, many online colleges are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some expenditures, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomy program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online 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 might be the ideal option for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Now that you have a basic understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already picked the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the New York school is relevant in addition to the cost of tuition. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy program. All of these decisions are an important component of the process for picking a program or school. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you should ask about each of the Shirley NY schools you are considering before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to New York? As mentioned previously, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for New York or the state where you will be working and readies you for all exams you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you choose should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited program aside from an assurance of a quality education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges in Shirley 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 Program’s Ranking? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to check the reputations of all schools you are looking at. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even check with some Shirley NY local clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and find out if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with the New York school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Provided? 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. As a minimum, any Shirley NY phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internships Provided? Find out from the New York programs you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with area health care facilities. They are the ideal way to obtain hands-on practical training often not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Shirley NY healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Landing your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a higher rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Shirley NY medical community.

Are Class Times Available as Needed? Finally, it’s crucial to confirm that the ultimate school you choose provides classes at times that are compatible with your busy lifestyle. This is particularly important if you decide to still work while attending college. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Shirley NY, make certain they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option as well. And if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is should you have to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's a good idea to review questions you could be asked. Among the things that hiring managers often ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What drove you to decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not only the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but also what characteristics and talents you have that make you outstanding at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of general interview questions, so you must organize some strategies about how you want to respond to them. Because there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the strengths you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Technician and the ideal candidate for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but jot down a few ideas and anecdotes that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can assist you to prepare your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.

Select the Right Phlebotomy School near Shirley NY

Making sure that you pick the most suitable phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomist training programs can be offered in a variety of educational institutes, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive array of courses in medical care and health sciences. Program options can differ somewhat from state to state as every state has its own criteria when it comes to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must diligently evaluate and compare each program before making your final choice. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the ideal college for you. And with the appropriate training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Shirley NY.

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