How to Select the Best Phlebotomist School near Astoria New York
Choosing the ideal phlebotomy school near Astoria NY is an essential first step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging task to evaluate and compare each of the school alternatives that are available to you. However it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to ensure that you receive a superior education. In reality, most prospective students begin the process by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional option you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll discuss more about online classes 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 factors such as reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and must be part of your decision process too. 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 select the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online classes.
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Should You Train to Be a Plebotomist?
Right out of the gate, not many people probably know what a phlebotomy tech or phlebotomist is. The short answer is a health care professional who draws blood from patients. We will provide more details later. So naturally anyone who decides to enter this profession must be able to handle needles and blood. And if you are nervous in hospitals or other Astoria NY medical environments, well this profession may not be the best choice for you. And then there are the patients. Phlebotomy Technicians often work around anxious people who hate needles or having a blood sample taken. And because many medical facilities are open 24 hours, you will probably be required to work weekends, nights and, you guessed it even on holidays. But if you can handle the hours and the blood and needles, and if you enjoy helping people and are compassionate and very patient, this may be the perfect profession for you.
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Phlebotomy Technician Career Summary
A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their main function, there is actually far more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the tools being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork has to be properly completed in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory screening procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many phlebotomists actually work in Astoria NY labs and are responsible for making certain that samples are tested properly utilizing the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they might be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.
Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?
The simplest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are numerous and varied, including Astoria NY medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a certain kind of patient. For instance, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients every day.
Phlebotomy Technician Education, Licensing and Certification
There are primarily two kinds of programs that provide phlebotomy training, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to finish and provides a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they usually require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program furnish a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will probably want to become certified. While not mandated in most states, many Astoria NY employers require certification before hiring 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 a few states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, like Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a quality education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.
Phlebotomist Online Colleges
To start with, let’s dispel one possible misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial part of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved healthcare facility or an on-campus lab. Many courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-practical component of the training may be attended online, it could be a more practical alternative for some Astoria NY students. As an added benefit, many online classes are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some costs, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist school you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online may be the best option for you.
Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Programs
Now that you have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already picked the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the college is important if you will be commuting from Astoria NY as well as the tuition expense. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an accredited phlebotomy online college. Each of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for selecting a phlebotomy school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you should ask about each of the colleges you are looking at before making your ultimate decision.
Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for New York or the state where you will be working and preps you for all exams you may be required to take.
Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you select should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a premium education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are often unavailable for non-accredited programs. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the Astoria NY job market.
What is the School’s Ranking? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to check the reputations of any schools you are reviewing. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job assistance program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even talk to a few Astoria NY clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and ask if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can check with the New York school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in full compliance.
Is Ample Training Included? To begin with, contact the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any phlebotomist program that you are considering should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide sufficient training.
Are Internships Included? Ask the schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with local medical facilities. They are the optimal way to get hands-on practical training frequently not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Astoria NY health care community. And they look good on resumes also.
Is Job Placement Support Offered? Landing your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Astoria NY health care community.
Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s crucial to confirm that the final school you pick offers classes at times that are compatible with your hectic lifestyle. This is particularly important if you choose to still work while attending college. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Astoria NY, make sure 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 sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is in case you have to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.
Phlebotomy Training Online Astoria NY
Fast Track Drawing Blood Colleges Near Me Astoria New York
Making sure that you enroll in the right phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling healthcare field. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomist training programs are available in a wide range of academic institutes, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive assortment of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Program offerings may vary somewhat across the country as every state has its own criteria when it pertains to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to thoroughly research and compare each program before making your final decision. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Fast Track Drawing Blood Colleges Near Me and to get more information regarding Evening Phlebotomy Tech Programs Near Me. However, by addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the best phlebotomy college for you. And with the proper training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Astoria NY.
More New York Bloody Wonderful Locations
Astoria, Queens
Astoria is a middle-class[4], commercial neighborhood in the New York City borough of Queens. Astoria is bounded by the East River and is adjacent to three other Queens neighborhoods: Long Island City, Sunnyside (bordering at Northern Boulevard), and Woodside (bordering at 50th Street). As of 2016[update], Astoria has an estimated population of 78,793.[2]
Astoria is located in Queens Community District 1[1] and its ZIP Codes are 11101, 11102, 11103, 11105, and 11106.[5] It is patrolled by the New York City Police Department's 114th Precinct.[6] Politically, Astoria is represented by the New York City Council's 22nd and 26th Districts.[7]
The area now known as Astoria was originally called Hallett's Cove, after its first landowner William Hallet, who settled there in 1652 with his wife, Elizabeth Fones. Beginning in the early 19th century, affluent New Yorkers constructed large residences around 12th and 14th streets, an area that later became known as Astoria Village (now Old Astoria). Hallett's Cove, incorporated on April 12, 1839[8] and previously founded by fur merchant Stephen A. Halsey, was a noted recreational destination and resort for Manhattan's wealthy.[9][10]
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