Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician School near Ticonderoga New York

Choosing the right phlebotomy school near Ticonderoga NY is an important initial step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting undertaking to investigate and compare all of the school options that are available to you. However it’s important that you do your due diligence to ensure that you receive 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. Another option you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll talk more about online classes later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and should be part of your decision process also. To assist in that effort, we will furnish a list of questions that you should 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 continue our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their primary function, there is actually much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must check that the instruments being utilized are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork has to be correctly completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab testing procedure. 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 pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Ticonderoga NY phlebotomists actually work in labs and are in charge of ensuring that samples are tested correctly using the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they may be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The simplest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are numerous and diverse, including Ticonderoga 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 young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a specific type of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients each day.

Phlebotomist Education, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially 2 kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Ticonderoga NY, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to complete and offers a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they usually take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program offer a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not required in the majority of states, many employers require certification before employing technicians. Some of the principal 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 require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, such as Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a superior education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Classes

First, let’s resolve one likely mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial part of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Ticonderoga 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 prior to graduation. However since the non-clinical part of the training can be accessed online, it may be a more practical alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, a number of online schools are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some expenditures, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomy school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the ideal choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Now that you have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already selected the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the New York campus is important as well as the cost of tuition. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy program. All of these decisions are a critical part of the process for picking a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you should ask about each of the Ticonderoga NY schools you are reviewing before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed before working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for New York or the state where you will be working and prepares you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you select should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a quality education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Ticonderoga NY. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the College’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 quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to check out 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 assistance program. You can research internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also talk to several Ticonderoga NY area clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and find out if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can check with the New York school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Sufficient 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 length of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Ticonderoga NY phlebotomy program that you are considering should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Ask the New York colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with local health care facilities. They are the ideal way to receive hands-on clinical training frequently not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Ticonderoga NY health care community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Finding your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Ticonderoga NY healthcare community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s crucial to verify that the final school you select offers classes at times that will accommodate your hectic schedule. This is particularly true if you choose to still work while going to college. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near Ticonderoga NY, make sure they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option as well. 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 ask what the make-up protocol is in case you have to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomist?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's helpful to review questions you may be asked. One of the questions that interviewers frequently ask Phlebotomy Tech prospects is "What drove you to decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not only the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but also what qualities and talents you have that make you exceptional at what you do. You will probably be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of typical interview questions, so you must ready several strategies about how you would like to address them. Because there are several variables that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you in addition to the strengths you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Technician and the leading candidate for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but jot down several ideas and topics that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Going over sample responses can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.

Enroll in the Best Phlebotomy Course near Ticonderoga NY

Making sure that you select the right phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare field. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior college. Phlebotomist training programs are offered in a wide range of academic institutions, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide array of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Course offerings can differ a bit across the country as every state has its own requirements when it pertains to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must thoroughly screen and compare each school before making your ultimate decision. By asking the questions that we have provided, 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 accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Ticonderoga NY.

Learn About Ticonderoga New York

 

 

More Interesting New York Cities

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Plattsburgh NY 12901

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Indian Lake NY 12842

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Quogue NY 11959

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Skaneateles NY 13152

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Hunter NY 12442

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Spencer NY 14883

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Cornwall NY 12518

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Watervliet NY 12189

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Clayton NY 13624

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Laurel NY 11948