How to Enroll in the Best Phlebotomy Tech Training Course near Glenmont New York

Enrolling in the right phlebotomist training near Glenmont NY is an essential first step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting undertaking to analyze and compare each of the school alternatives that are available to you. However it’s vital that you do your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a superior education. In reality, most potential students begin the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Another option you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and must be part of your selection process as well. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you pick the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online classes.

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Should You Train to Be a Plebotomist?

First of all, few people probably 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 comfortable with needles and blood. And if you are anxious in hospitals or other Glenmont NY medical facilities, well this job probably is not right for you. And then there are the patients. Phlebotomists routinely work with nervous people who don’t like needles or having a blood sample taken. And because many medical facilities are open around the clock, you will probably be expected to work weekends, nights and even on holidays. But if you can handle the hours and the needles and blood, and if you enjoy helping people and are patient and compassionate, this could be the right job for you.

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Phlebotomist Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their main task, there is actually much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the instruments being employed are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be properly filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory testing process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some phlebotomists actually work in Glenmont NY laboratories and are in charge of making sure that samples are analyzed correctly under the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they may be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The most basic response is wherever they treat patients. Their workplaces are numerous and diverse, including Glenmont NY medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a specific type of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from new patients each day.

Phlebotomist Training, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially 2 types of programs that furnish phlebotomy training, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to finish and provides a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they typically require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program provide a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will probably want to get certified. While not required in the majority of states, a number of Glenmont NY employers look for certification before hiring technicians. A few 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 prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, such as California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a superior education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Certificates and Degrees

To begin with, let’s dispel one possible misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant portion of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved healthcare facility or an on-campus lab. Numerous courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-clinical component of the training can be accessed online, it can be a more practical alternative for some Glenmont NY students. As an additional benefit, a number of online colleges are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some costs, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy college you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a premium education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the ideal option for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Now that you have a basic understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already selected the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the school is significant if you will be commuting from Glenmont NY in addition to the cost of tuition. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an accredited phlebotomy online program. All of these decisions are an important component of the process for selecting a phlebotomy program or school. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are some questions that you should ask about all of the programs you are reviewing prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for New York or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you select should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from a guarantee of a premium education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited colleges. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to future employers in the Glenmont NY job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of any schools you are looking at. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even check with several Glenmont NY clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and find out if they can offer 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 Sufficient Training Included? To begin with, 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 provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internships Provided? Find out from the schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with area health care facilities. They are the optimal means to obtain hands-on clinical training often not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Glenmont NY healthcare community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Finding your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Ask if the programs you are looking at provide 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 an excellent reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the Glenmont NY medical community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s crucial to confirm that the ultimate school you select provides classes at times that are compatible with your hectic schedule. This is particularly important if you opt to continue working while attending college. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Glenmont NY, make sure they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option as well. 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 ask what the make-up procedure is should you have to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Phlebotomist Schooling Near Me Glenmont NY

Affordable Drawing Blood Education Near Me Glenmont New York

Making sure that you enroll in the most suitable phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding healthcare field. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are available in a wide range of educational institutes, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide assortment of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Program options can vary slightly across the country as each state has its own requirements when it concerns phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must thoroughly research and compare each program prior to making your final choice. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Affordable Drawing Blood Education Near Me and to get more information regarding Top Phlebotomy Classes.  However, by asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the best phlebotomist program for you. And with the proper training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Glenmont NY.

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