How to Enroll in the Right Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Sodus Point New York

Selecting the ideal phlebotomy school near Sodus Point NY is an important first step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult task to evaluate and compare each of the training alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to ensure that you get a quality education. In reality, many potential students start the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional factor you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and need to be part of your selection process also. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you choose the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online training.

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Should You Train to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

First of all, few people probably know what a phlebotomist or phlebotomy technician 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 able to handle blood and needles. And if you are not comfortable in hospitals or other Sodus Point NY medical environments, well this job may not be right for you. And then there are the patients. Phlebotomy Technicians routinely work around anxious people who don’t like needles or having a blood sample drawn. And because many medical facilities are open around the clock, you may be expected to work weekends, evenings 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 patient and compassionate, this could be the right job for you.

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Phlebotomist Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their primary duty, there is in fact much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must check that the instruments being employed are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork has to be properly completed 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 infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of phlebotomists in fact work in Sodus Point NY laboratories and are accountable for ensuring that samples are analyzed properly under the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they might be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The easiest response is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are many and varied, such as Sodus Point NY hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be charged to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a specific type of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients every day.

Phlebotomy Education, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially two kinds of programs that offer phlebotomy training, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to finish and provides a basic education together 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 include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they usually require 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program offer a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. While not required in most states, most Sodus Point NY employers require certification prior to 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 several states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, like California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a premium education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Classes

To start with, let’s resolve one possible mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant portion of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved healthcare facility or an on-campus lab. A large number of courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical part of the training can be attended online, it can be a more convenient alternative for many Sodus Point NY students. As an added benefit, many online programs are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomy school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a premium education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online might be the best option for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Now that you have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already picked the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the school is important if you will be commuting from Sodus Point NY as well as the tuition expense. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an accredited phlebotomy online college. All of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for choosing a phlebotomy program or school. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Following are a few questions that you need to ask about all of the colleges you are considering before 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. Several states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for New York or the state where you will be working and preps you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you select should be accredited by a recognized national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited school in addition to a guarantee of a superior education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the Sodus Point NY job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of all schools you are looking at. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their students as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also check with several Sodus Point NY clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and see 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 colleges are in total compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Included? To begin with, check with 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 reviewing should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Find out from the colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with area medical facilities. They are the ideal way to get hands-on practical training often not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Sodus Point NY medical community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Getting your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation together with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Sodus Point NY healthcare community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to confirm that the ultimate college you select offers classes at times that are compatible with your active schedule. This is especially important if you choose to continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Sodus Point NY, make sure they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option also. And if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure 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 due to illness or emergencies.

Phlebotomist Education Sodus Point NY

Online Phlebotomy Programs Sodus Point New York

Making sure that you enroll in the most suitable phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this rewarding medical care field. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomy training programs are found in a number of educational institutions, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive array of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Course options can vary somewhat across the country as every state has its own prerequisites when it concerns phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to thoroughly screen and compare each college before making your ultimate selection. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Online Phlebotomy Programs and to get more information regarding How To Become A Phlebotomists.  However, by asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the ideal phlebotomist college for you. And with the proper education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Sodus Point NY.

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