Low Cost Phlebotomist Programs Near Me Highland NY

How to Select the Best Phlebotomy Training Course near Highland New York

Highland NY phlebotomist drawing blood from patient Choosing the right phlebotomist school near Highland NY is an important initial step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting task to assess and compare each of the training alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you receive a quality education. In fact, many prospective students begin their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Another option you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll review more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and should be part of your selection process as well. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you choose the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online training.

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Should You Choose a Career as a Plebotomist?

blood analysis performed in Highland NY lab First of all, few people are likely to know what a phlebotomist or phlebotomy technician is. The short answer is a medical professional who draws blood from patients. We will provide more details later. So of course anyone who decides to enter this profession must be able to handle blood and needles. And if you are anxious in hospitals or other Highland NY medical environments, well this job probably is not the best choice for you. And then there are the patients. Phlebotomy Technicians tend to work around anxious people who hate needles or having a blood sample taken. And because many medical facilities are open around the clock, you may be required to work weekends, nights and even on holidays. But if you can handle the hours and the needles and blood, and if you enjoy interacting with people and are compassionate and very patient, this may be the perfect job for you.

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Phlebotomy Technician Career Description

Highland NY phlebotomist holding blood sample A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their principal task, there is actually much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must check that the tools being employed are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork needs to be properly filled out in order 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. A number of phlebotomists in fact work in Highland NY laboratories and are responsible for making certain that samples are analyzed properly utilizing the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they might be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The easiest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their workplaces are many and diverse, including Highland NY hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be charged to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing blood from a specific kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Education, Licensing and Certification

Highland NY phlebotomy tech drawing blood There are essentially 2 types of programs that offer phlebotomy training, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to finish and offers a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they normally take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program provide a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, most Highland NY employers look for certification before hiring technicians. A few of the primary 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 require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, such as Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a quality education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Certificates and Degrees

Highland NY student attending online phlebotomy classes To begin with, let’s dispel one likely misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A good component 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. Numerous courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical component of the training may be accessed online, it could be a more practical option for some Highland NY students. As an additional benefit, some online classes are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenses, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist program you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). 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 earning your certificate or degree online might be the ideal option for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

What to ask Highland NY phlebotomy schools Since you now have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the school is significant if you will be commuting from Highland NY in addition to the cost of tuition. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an accredited online phlebotomy college. All of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for choosing a phlebotomy program or school. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you need to ask about all of the schools you are looking at prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations 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 amount of clinical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for New York or the state where you will be working and preps you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a quality education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to potential employers in the Highland NY job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of all schools you are looking at. 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 screen online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even check with several Highland NY hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and find out if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can check with the New York school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Included? To begin with, contact the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internships Included? Ask the colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with regional medical facilities. They are the ideal means to obtain hands-on clinical training typically not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Highland NY health care community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Finding your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the help 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 high rate, signifying they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Highland NY healthcare community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s critical to make sure that the final school you pick offers classes at times that will accommodate your active lifestyle. This is particularly true if you choose to continue working while attending college. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Highland NY, check that they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option as well. And if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is in case you need to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

How To Be A Certified Phlebotomist Highland NY

Low Cost Phlebotomist Programs Near Me Highland New York

Making certain that you enroll in the ideal phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care field. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior college. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be available in a variety of educational institutes, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide assortment of programs in medical care and health sciences. Training program options may differ a bit from state to state as every state has its own mandates when it concerns phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must thoroughly evaluate and compare each college before making your final choice. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Low Cost Phlebotomist Programs Near Me and to get more information regarding Top Drawing Blood Colleges. However, by asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the ideal phlebotomy program for you. And with the appropriate training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Highland NY.