How to Pick the Right Phlebotomy Technician School near Norwood New York
Choosing the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Norwood NY is an important first step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting task to analyze and compare each of the school options 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 potential students start the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Another option you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll discuss more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your decision process too. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you select the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online classes.
Request Free Information on Phlebotomy Training Near You!
Should You Train to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?
First of all, not many 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 naturally anyone who chooses this profession must be able to handle blood and needles. And if you are not comfortable in hospitals or other Norwood NY medical facilities, well this job probably is not right for you. And then there are the patients. Phlebotomy Techs tend to work around nervous people who don’t like needles or having a blood sample drawn. And because most health care facilities are open 24 hours, you will probably be expected to work weekends, evenings and, you guessed it even on holidays. But if you don’t mind working with the needles and blood, and if you enjoy interacting with people and are compassionate and very patient, this could be the perfect job for you.
Click Here to Get Free Information on Phlebotomy Training Near You!
Phlebotomy Technician Work Description
A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their main duty, there is in fact much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the instruments being utilized are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork needs to be correctly completed to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory screening process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of phlebotomists actually work in Norwood NY laboratories and are in charge of making certain that samples are tested correctly utilizing the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they may be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.
Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?
The most basic answer is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are numerous and varied, including Norwood NY medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be charged to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a specific kind of patient. For example, 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 collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. 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 new patients on a daily basis.
Phlebotomy Training, Certification and Licensing
There are essentially two types of programs that provide phlebotomist training, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to finish and offers a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they typically take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program furnish a more expansive background in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. Although not mandated in most states, many Norwood NY employers look for certification before hiring technicians. Some 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 some states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, like Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a quality education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.
Online Phlebotomist Training
To start with, let’s resolve one possible mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant part of the curriculum 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 component of the training can be attended online, it might be a more practical option for many Norwood NY students. As an added benefit, some online colleges are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenditures, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist program you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a quality education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the right option for you.
Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Schools
Since you now 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 picked the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the college is relevant if you will be commuting from Norwood NY as well as the tuition expense. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an accredited online phlebotomy college. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the process for selecting a phlebotomy school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are some questions that you should ask about each of the programs you are looking at before making your ultimate decision.
Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states require certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for New York or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for any exams you may be required to take.
Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you pick should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from a guarantee of a quality education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to potential employers in the Norwood NY job market.
What is the Program’s Ranking? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of all colleges you are considering. 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 internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even contact several Norwood NY clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and see if they can provide any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the New York school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.
Is Plenty of Training Provided? First, contact the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums might indicate that the program is not expansive enough to provide sufficient training.
Are Internships Included? Ask the colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional health care facilities. They are the optimal way to get hands-on clinical training often not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Norwood NY healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.
Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Landing your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement rate 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 together with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Norwood NY healthcare community.
Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s critical to verify that the ultimate program you select offers classes at times that will accommodate your hectic lifestyle. This is particularly true if you opt to still work while attending college. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Norwood NY, check that they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option also. And if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is should you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.
Phlebotomy Career Training Norwood NY
Phlebotomy School Norwood New York
Making certain that you pick the ideal phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomy training programs are offered in a variety of educational institutes, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive assortment of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Program offerings may vary somewhat across the country as every state has its own requirements when it pertains to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must diligently evaluate and compare each school prior to making your final selection. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Phlebotomy School and to get more information regarding Phlebotomy Tech Programs. However, by asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the right phlebotomy program for you. And with the appropriate education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Norwood NY.
More New York Bloody Wonderful Locations
Norwood, New York
The community was known early in its history as "Raquetteville." Norwood as it is known today, grew out of the shadows of Potsdam, New York in the 1870s. In 1871 the growing Potsdam hamlet became a village entered into existence as the "Village of Potsdam Junction."
Villagers later wanted to further distinguish the town by disassociating its name with Potsdam and submitted proposal to the federal government to become the Village of Baldwin but it was discovered that there was already a post office named Baldwin. A short time later on April 15, 1875 a new name was voted on and Norwood was selected. The mayor of Norwood is currently Tim Levison.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 2.3 square miles (6.0 km2), of which, 2.1 square miles (5.4 km2) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.52 km2) of it is water. The total area is 8.41% water.
Business Results 1 - 10 of 0
