Selecting a Phlebotomy Training Program near South Bethlehem New York

Choosing the right phlebotomist school near South Bethlehem NY is a critical initial step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting task to investigate and compare each of the school alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a quality education. In reality, a large number of students begin their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Another factor you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll talk more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and need to be part of your selection process as well. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you pick the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomist Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their main task, there is actually so much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the tools being used are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork has to be properly completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many South Bethlehem NY phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are responsible for ensuring that samples are analyzed properly using the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they may be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The quickest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are numerous and varied, such as South Bethlehem NY hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a particular kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Education, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially 2 types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in South Bethlehem NY, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to finish and provides a general education along with 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 exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they typically require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program offer a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. Although not mandated in most states, many 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 several states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, like Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a quality education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Schools

To start with, let’s dispel one potential mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A good portion of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved South Bethlehem NY healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-clinical component of the training may be attended online, it could be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an added benefit, some online schools are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some costs, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy school you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a quality education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online may be the right choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Now that you have a general 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 kind 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 school is relevant in addition to the tuition expense. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist college. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the process for selecting a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are several questions that you should ask about each of the South Bethlehem NY schools you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As previously mentioned, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for New York or the state where you will be working and prepares you for any examinations you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you pick should be accredited by a recognized 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 has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges in South Bethlehem 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 little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of any colleges you are looking at. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even contact a few South Bethlehem NY area clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and see if they can offer any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the New York school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Adequate Training Included? To begin with, check with the New York regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any South Bethlehem NY phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Ask the New York colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with local healthcare facilities. They are the optimal way to obtain hands-on clinical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local South Bethlehem NY health care community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Landing your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are considering provide 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 college has both an excellent reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the South Bethlehem NY medical community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s important to make sure that the final school you pick offers classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near South Bethlehem NY, check that they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option also. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is should you need to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's important to consider questions you might be asked. Among the things that recruiters often ask Phlebotomy Tech prospects is "What compelled you to pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not just the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what attributes and talents you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of standard interview questions, so you should prepare several approaches about how you would like to respond to them. Since there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the profession appeals to you along with the strengths you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomist and the leading candidate for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but take down a few ideas and topics that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Going over sample responses can help you to develop your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.

Find the Ideal Phlebotomy Course near South Bethlehem NY

Making certain that you choose the ideal phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are offered in a number of educational institutions, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide assortment of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Course options may differ a bit from state to state as each state has its own prerequisites when it concerns phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must carefully research and compare each college before making your ultimate decision. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the best program for you. And with the appropriate education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in South Bethlehem NY.

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