How to Choose the Best Phlebotomist Training Course near Livingston New York

Picking the right phlebotomy technician school near Livingston NY is a critical initial step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting task to analyze and compare all of the school options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you do your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a quality education. In reality, a large number of 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 might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and must be part of your decision process also. 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 select the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our discussion about online classes.

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Should You Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

First of all, not many people probably know what a phlebotomist or phlebotomy technician is. The basic answer is a health care professional who draws blood from patients. We will provide more details later. So naturally anyone who selects this profession must be OK around blood and needles. And if you are not comfortable in hospitals or other Livingston NY medical facilities, well this job may not be right for you. And then there are the patients. Phlebotomy Techs routinely work with nervous people who don’t like needles or having their blood drawn. And because most health care facilities are open 24 hours, you will probably be required to work weekends, nights and even on holidays. But if you don’t mind working with the blood and needles, and if you enjoy helping people and are compassionate and very patient, this may be the right job for you.

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Phlebotomy Technician Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their principal duty, there is actually so much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the tools being used are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, 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 delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of phlebotomists actually work in Livingston NY labs and are accountable for ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly utilizing the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they may be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The easiest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are many and varied, including Livingston NY medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a specific kind 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. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Training, Certification and Licensing

There are basically two types of programs that offer phlebotomist training, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to complete and offers a general education along with 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 exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they normally take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program provide a more expansive background in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. Although not required in the majority of states, many Livingston NY employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. A few of the key 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 call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, including Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a quality education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Training

First, let’s dispel one likely misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant component of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved healthcare facility or an on-campus lab. A large number of courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-practical part of the training may be attended online, it might be a more practical option for some Livingston NY students. As an additional benefit, many online schools are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some costs, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomist school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a superior education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online may be the best choice for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Since you now have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the type 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 Livingston NY in addition to the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an accredited phlebotomy online college. All of these decisions are an important part of the process for picking a phlebotomy program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are several questions that you need to ask about each of the programs you are reviewing before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to New York? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that satisfies the state specific requirements for New York or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you choose should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a superior education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited schools. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the Livingston NY job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to investigate the reputations of all schools you are looking at. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can research online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also talk to a few Livingston NY hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and ask if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with the New York school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Adequate Training Included? First, check with the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any phlebotomist program that you are looking at should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Find out from the colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with local medical facilities. They are the optimal means to obtain hands-on clinical training frequently not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Livingston NY medical community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Getting your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Livingston NY health care community.

Are Class Times Available as Needed? And last, it’s crucial to confirm that the ultimate program you pick offers classes at times that will accommodate your active lifestyle. This is particularly important if you decide to continue working while going to school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Livingston NY, make certain they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option as well. 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 ask what the make-up protocol is should you need to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

How To Get Phlebotomy License Livingston NY

Top Drawing Blood Colleges Livingston New York

Making certain that you choose the right phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this rewarding healthcare career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomy training programs can be offered in a number of academic institutions, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Training program options may differ slightly across the country as every state has its own prerequisites when it comes to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must carefully research and compare each program before making your final choice. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Top Drawing Blood Colleges and to get more information regarding Best Phlebotomy Tech Programs.  However, by addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the best phlebotomy college for you. And with the proper education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Livingston NY.

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