How to Find the Right Phlebotomy Training Classes near Highland Mills New York
Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomy technician training near Highland Mills NY is an important first step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging undertaking to evaluate and compare all of the school options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you do your due diligence to make certain that you receive a quality education. In reality, most prospective students start the process by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional factor you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and should be part of your decision process as well. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you pick the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online training.
Request Free Information on Phlebotomy Training Near You!
Should You Go to School to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?
First of all, not many people probably know what a phlebotomy tech or phlebotomist is. The short definition is a health care professional whose job is to draw blood. We will go into more depth later. So of course anyone who chooses this profession must be OK around blood and needles. And if you are nervous in hospitals or other Highland Mills NY medical environments, well this profession may not be right for you. And now let’s talk about 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 may be required to work weekends, evenings and even on holidays. But if you can handle the hours and the blood and needles, and if you enjoy interacting with people and are patient and compassionate, this may be the right job for you.
Click Here to Get Free Information on Phlebotomy Training Near You!
Phlebotomist Work Description
A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their primary function, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the tools being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork needs to be correctly filled out to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory 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 pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many phlebotomists in fact work in Highland Mills NY laboratories and are responsible for making certain that samples are analyzed properly using the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they can be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.
Where do Phlebotomists Work?
The most basic response is wherever patients are treated. Their workplaces are numerous and diverse, such as Highland Mills NY hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a specific kind of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients each day.
Phlebotomist Education, Certification and Licensing
There are essentially two types of programs that provide phlebotomy training, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to finish and provides a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomy tech. 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 background in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. Although not required in the majority of states, many Highland Mills NY employers require certification prior to 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 require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, like Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a premium education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.
Phlebotomy Online Certificates and Degrees
To start with, let’s dispel one possible mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant part of the course of study will be practical training and it will be performed either in an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility. Many courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-practical component of the training may be accessed online, it might be a more practical alternative for many Highland Mills NY students. As an additional benefit, many online classes are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some expenses, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomist college you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a premium education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online might be the right choice for you.
Points to Ask Phlebotomist Schools
Since you now have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already picked the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the campus is significant if you will be commuting from Highland Mills NY as well as the cost of tuition. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an accredited online phlebotomy school. All of these decisions are a critical part of the process for selecting a phlebotomy program or school. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you need to ask about all of the colleges you are looking at prior to making your ultimate decision.
Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing 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 preps you for any examinations you may have to take.
Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you pick should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from a guarantee of a premium education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are typically not available for non-accredited programs. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to potential employers in the Highland Mills NY job market.
What is the School’s Ranking? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s important to check out the reputations of any colleges you are considering. 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 online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even talk to a few Highland Mills NY hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and find out if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can check with the New York school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.
Is Enough Training Provided? 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. As a minimum, any phlebotomy program that you are considering should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to provide adequate training.
Are Internships Included? Find out from the programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional health care facilities. They are the ideal way to obtain hands-on clinical training typically not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Highland Mills NY health care community. And they look good on resumes as well.
Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Landing your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Find out if the colleges you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Highland Mills NY healthcare community.
Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to confirm that the final program you pick offers classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is particularly important if you decide to continue working while going to college. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Highland Mills NY, make sure they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option as well. And if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make certain 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 emergencies or illness.
Accredited Phlebotomy Training Highland Mills NY
Low Cost Phlebotomist Education Near Me Highland Mills New York
Making certain that you select the right phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior school. Phlebotomist training programs are available in a wide range of educational institutions, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive assortment of courses in medical care and health sciences. Program options can vary a bit across the country as each state has its own mandates when it pertains to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to diligently evaluate and compare each school prior to making your ultimate choice. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Low Cost Phlebotomist Education Near Me and to get more information regarding Top Drawing Blood Classes. However, by asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the best phlebotomist program for you. And with the appropriate education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Highland Mills NY.
More New York Bloody Wonderful Locations
Highland Mills, New York
Highland Mills is a hamlet (and Census-designated place) in Orange County, New York, United States. The population was 3,468 at the 2000 census, at which time it was a census-designated place. It is part of the Poughkeepsie–Newburgh–Middletown, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area as well as the larger New York–Newark–Bridgeport, NY-NJ-CT-PA Combined Statistical Area.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 1.7 square miles (4.4 km2), of which, 1.7 square miles (4.4 km2) of it is land and 0.58% is water. Highland Mills is located in Upstate New York.
As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 3,468 people, 1,196 households, and 955 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 2,007.5 per square mile (774.0/km²). There were 1,279 housing units at an average density of 740.4/sq mi (285.4/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 87.17% White, 5.07% African American, 0.14% Native American, 2.71% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 2.36% from other races, and 2.48% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.05% of the population.
Business Results 1 - 10 of 40
4 Reviews 
3 Reviews 
4 Reviews 
5 Reviews 
2 Reviews 
1 Reviews 
5 Reviews 
29 Reviews 
3 Reviews 
3 Reviews 