Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician School near Woodbury New York

Choosing the ideal phlebotomist school near Woodbury NY is an important first step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult task to evaluate and compare each of the training alternatives that are available to you. However it’s vital that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you get a superior education. In fact, most students start their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another option you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your selection process too. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you pick the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their main duty, there is actually so much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the instruments being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork must be properly 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 tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Woodbury NY phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are in charge of ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly under the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they might be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The easiest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are numerous and diverse, such as Woodbury 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 senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a specific kind of patient. For instance, those working 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. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Licensing and Certification

There are basically two kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Woodbury NY, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to complete and furnishes a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they normally take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program provide a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not mandated in most states, many employers look for certification before employing technicians. A few 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 some states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, such as Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a premium education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Schools

First, let’s resolve one possible misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial part of the course of study will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Woodbury NY healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-practical portion of the training can be accessed online, it can be a more practical alternative for some students. As an added benefit, a number of online programs are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered also. Just verify that the online phlebotomy program you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a superior education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the right choice for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Now that you have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the New York college is significant in addition to the cost of tuition. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist college. Each of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for selecting a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you should ask about each of the Woodbury NY colleges you are considering prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As earlier discussed, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomist program that fulfills 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 Program Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you pick should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of 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 qualify to take a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are often not available for non-accredited programs in Woodbury NY. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s important to check the reputations of any schools you are looking at. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even contact some Woodbury NY local hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and see if they can offer any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the New York school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Included? 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 length of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Woodbury NY phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Find out from the New York colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with local health care facilities. They are the ideal way to receive hands-on clinical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Woodbury NY health care community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Landing your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Find out if the colleges you are looking at offer 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 program has both an excellent reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Woodbury NY health care community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? And last, it’s important to verify that the ultimate college you choose provides classes at times that will accommodate your hectic lifestyle. This is especially true if you choose to continue working while going to school. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near Woodbury NY, check that they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option also. And if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed 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 Decide to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you might be asked. Among the questions that hiring managers frequently ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What made you pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not merely the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomist, but additionally what attributes and talents you have that make you good at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of typical interview questions, so you need to organize a number of strategies about how you would like to respond to them. Given that there are several variables that go into selecting a career, you can address this primary question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the work interests you along with the strengths you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Technician and the best choice for the job. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but write down some concepts and anecdotes that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample responses can help you to develop your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.

Choose the Best Phlebotomy School near Woodbury NY

Making sure that you choose the most suitable phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding medical care field. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomist training programs are offered in a wide range of academic institutions, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide range of courses in medical care and health sciences. Training program options can vary somewhat from state to state as every state has its own criteria when it pertains to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to carefully evaluate and compare each school before making your ultimate selection. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the ideal school for you. And with the appropriate training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Woodbury NY.

Learn About Woodbury New York

 

 

More Interesting New York Cities

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Lynbrook NY 11563

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Stafford NY 14143

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Warwick NY 10990

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Clarence Center NY 14032

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Rock Hill NY 12775

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Lansing NY 14882

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Ray Brook NY 12977

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Brightwaters NY 11718

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Oakfield NY 14125

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Malverne NY 11565