How to Find the Best Phlebotomist School near Cedarhurst New York

Enrolling in the right phlebotomist school near Cedarhurst NY is a critical first step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging undertaking to evaluate and compare all of the training alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you receive a quality education. In fact, a large number of prospective students start their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional option you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review more about online schools later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and should be part of your decision process also. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you pick the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online schools.

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Should You Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

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 whose job is to draw blood. We will provide more details later. So of course anyone who decides to enter this profession must be comfortable with blood and needles. And if you are not comfortable in hospitals or other Cedarhurst NY medical environments, well this profession probably is not the best choice for you. And now let’s talk about the patients. Phlebotomy Technicians often work around anxious people who hate needles or having their blood drawn. And because many medical facilities are open 24 hours, you will probably be required to work weekends, nights and 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 could be the perfect job for you.

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Phlebotomy Tech Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their primary duty, there is in fact far more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the instruments being utilized are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork has to be properly completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many phlebotomists actually work in Cedarhurst NY labs and are in charge of ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly utilizing the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they might be required to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The most basic answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are numerous and varied, such as Cedarhurst NY hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be charged to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a certain type of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be collecting blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients each day.

Phlebotomist Training, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially two types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to complete and provides a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will include training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they typically take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program furnish a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will probably want to be certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, many Cedarhurst NY employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. Some 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 several states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, like California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a premium education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Classes

To start with, let’s dispel one likely misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A good part of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be performed 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. But since the non-clinical part of the training may be attended online, it may be a more practical alternative for many Cedarhurst NY students. As an additional benefit, some online classes are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenditures, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist school you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a premium education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the right choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Since you now 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 want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the school is relevant if you will be commuting from Cedarhurst NY in addition to the tuition expense. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an accredited phlebotomist online school. All of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for selecting a phlebotomy program or school. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you need to ask about all of the programs you are looking at prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to New York? As previously mentioned, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to select 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 phlebotomist school and program you select should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from a guarantee 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 earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited schools. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to potential employers in the Cedarhurst NY job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of any schools you are reviewing. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even check with some Cedarhurst NY hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest 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 find out if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Ample Training Provided? 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 phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums might indicate that the program is not expansive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internships Provided? Find out from the schools you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with local healthcare facilities. They are the optimal way to receive hands-on practical training typically not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Cedarhurst NY healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Finding your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation together with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Cedarhurst NY medical community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s crucial to make sure that the ultimate school you select offers classes at times that will accommodate your hectic lifestyle. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while attending school. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Cedarhurst NY, check that they are offered at those times. Additionally, 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 certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is in case you need to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

6 Week Phlebotomy Course Cedarhurst NY

Evening Phlebotomy Tech Programs Cedarhurst New York

Making certain that you pick the right phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care field. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior college. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be available in a wide range of educational institutes, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive array of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Course options may differ a bit from state to state as each state has its own mandates when it pertains to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to thoroughly screen and compare each school before making your ultimate choice. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Evening Phlebotomy Tech Programs and to get more information regarding Affordable Phlebotomy Colleges Near Me.  However, by addressing the questions that we have furnished, 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 phlebotomy technician in Cedarhurst NY.

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