How to Enroll in the Right Phlebotomy Training Program near Alden New York

Choosing the ideal phlebotomy technician training near Alden NY is an important initial step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging task to investigate and compare all of the training alternatives that are accessible to you. However it’s important that you complete your due diligence to make certain that you get a quality education. In fact, many prospective students begin their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another option you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll discuss more about online classes 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 cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and must be part of your selection process also. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you pick the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online training.

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Should You Train to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

First of all, few people are likely to know what a phlebotomy tech or phlebotomist is. The short answer is a medical professional whose job is to draw blood. We will go into more depth later. So naturally anyone who chooses this profession must be able to handle blood and needles. And if you are nervous in hospitals or other Alden NY medical environments, well this job may not be right for you. And then there are the patients. Phlebotomists often work with nervous people who hate needles or having a blood sample drawn. And because many medical facilities are open around the clock, you may be expected to work weekends, nights and, you guessed it even on holidays. But if you can handle the hours and the needles and blood, and if you enjoy interacting with people and are patient and compassionate, this may be the right job for you.

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Phlebotomist Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their primary function, there is in fact much more to their job description. Prior to collecting 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 accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork needs to be accurately filled out to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some phlebotomists actually work in Alden NY laboratories and are responsible for ensuring that samples are analyzed properly under the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they may be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The simplest answer is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are many and diverse, such as Alden NY medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a certain type of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be collecting blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Training, Licensing and Certification

There are basically two kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomist training, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to complete and offers a general education along 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 specifically a phlebotomy degree, will include training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they typically require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible 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 get certified. Although not required in most states, most Alden NY employers look for certification before employing technicians. A few of the main 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 call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, including Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a premium education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Certificates and Degrees

First, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A good part of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be conducted either in 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 component of the training can be accessed online, it may be a more practical alternative for many Alden NY students. As an additional benefit, many online schools are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some expenses, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist program you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the right option for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Now that you have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might 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 campus is significant if you will be commuting from Alden NY in addition to the tuition expense. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an accredited online phlebotomy school. Each of these decisions are an important component of the process for choosing a phlebotomy school or program. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Following are several questions that you need to ask about all of the colleges you are reviewing before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to New York? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s extremely 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 any examinations you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you select should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a premium education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to future employers in the Alden NY job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative 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 graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also talk to some Alden NY clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and find out if they can offer any insights. As a final thought, you can check with the New York school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? First, contact 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 phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask the programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with local medical facilities. They are the optimal means to receive hands-on practical training often not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Alden NY medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Landing your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing 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 jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Alden NY medical community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? And last, it’s important to confirm that the ultimate college you select provides classes at times that are compatible with your busy schedule. This is particularly important if you decide to continue working while going to school. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Alden NY, make sure they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option as well. And 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 need to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Phlebotomy School Alden NY

Fast Track Phlebotomy Technician Training Alden New York

Making sure that you enroll in the right phlebotomist 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 a number of factors that go into the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomist training programs can be found in a number of academic institutions, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings can vary a bit across the country as each state has its own criteria when it pertains to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must diligently screen and compare each school before making your final choice. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Fast Track Phlebotomy Technician Training and to get more information regarding Evening Drawing Blood Associates Degrees.  However, by asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the ideal phlebotomy program for you. And with the appropriate education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Alden NY.

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