Choosing a Phlebotomy School near Vernon New York

Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomy school near Vernon NY is an important initial step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting task to assess and compare all of the training options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to make sure that you receive a superior education. In reality, most prospective students start the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another option you might consider 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’s important to remember is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and must be part of your decision process also. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you select the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomist Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their primary task, there is actually so much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the instruments being employed are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork needs to be accurately completed to be able to track the sample from the point 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 screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Vernon NY phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are responsible for ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly using the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they might be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The easiest response is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are numerous and varied, such as Vernon NY hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing blood from a particular kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Training, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially two kinds of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Vernon NY, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to finish and provides 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 exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they normally require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program offer a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will probably want to get certified. Although not mandated in most states, most employers look for certification prior to 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 in order to practice as a phlebotomist, such as California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a superior education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Training

To start with, let’s resolve one potential mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant component of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Vernon 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. But since the non-practical part of the training may be attended online, it may be a more practical option for some students. As an added benefit, many online classes are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenses, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist college you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a quality education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online might be the right choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Since you now have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already decided on the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the New York campus is relevant in addition to the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist program. All of these decisions are a critical component of the process for picking a program or school. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Following are several questions that you need to ask about each of the Vernon NY programs you are looking at before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. 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 readies you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you pick should be accredited by a recognized national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a superior education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited programs in Vernon NY. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of all schools you are considering. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can research online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even talk to a few Vernon NY local hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the New York school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Enough Training Provided? First, contact 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 classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Vernon NY phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Ask the New York programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with area health care facilities. They are the ideal way to receive hands-on practical training frequently not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Vernon NY healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Landing your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation together with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Vernon NY healthcare community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s important to make sure that the final program you pick offers classes at times that are compatible with your hectic lifestyle. This is especially true if you choose to continue working while attending school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Vernon NY, check that they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option also. Even if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is should you have to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's advantageous to consider questions you might be asked. Among the things that interviewers typically ask Phlebotomist prospects is "What made you decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not only the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what qualities and abilities you have that make you good at your profession. You will likely be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of routine interview questions, so you need to organize several ideas about how you would like to respond to them. Considering there are numerous factors that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this primary question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the work appeals to you along with the abilities you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Tech and the leading candidate for the position. Don't try to memorize an answer, but jot down several ideas and talking points that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample responses can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Choose the Right Phlebotomy College near Vernon NY

Making sure that you choose the right phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are available in a number of academic institutes, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide array of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Course offerings can vary somewhat across the country as every state has its own criteria when it comes to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must carefully research and compare each school before making your ultimate selection. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the right school for you. And with the appropriate training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Vernon NY.

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