How to Enroll in the Best Phlebotomy Tech School near Spring Valley New York

Choosing the ideal phlebotomy school near Spring Valley NY is an essential initial step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting task to investigate and compare each of the training options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you do your due diligence to make sure that you get a quality education. In reality, many potential students begin their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional option you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local 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 checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and should be part of your decision process also. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you select the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online training.

Request Free Information on Phlebotomy Training Near You!

Should You Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

First of all, not many people are likely to know what a phlebotomist or phlebotomy technician is. The basic definition is a health care professional whose job is to draw blood. We will go into more depth later. So of course anyone who decides to enter this profession must be able to handle needles and blood. And if you are anxious in hospitals or other Spring Valley NY medical facilities, well this job probably is not right for you. And then there are the patients. Phlebotomy Technicians tend to work with anxious people who hate needles or having their blood drawn. And because many medical facilities are open 24 hours, you will probably be expected to work weekends, nights and, you guessed it 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 right profession for you.

Click Here to Get Free Information on Phlebotomy Training Near You!

Phlebotomy Tech Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their principal responsibility, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the tools being employed are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork must be correctly filled out to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many phlebotomists in fact work in Spring Valley NY laboratories and are accountable for making certain that samples are analyzed correctly under the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they can be asked to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The quickest answer is wherever there are patients. Their work places are numerous and varied, including Spring Valley NY medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a particular kind of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially two types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to finish and provides a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they usually require 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program provide a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not required in the majority of states, many Spring Valley NY employers look for certification prior to employing technicians. Some 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 a few states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, such as Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a premium education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Schools

To start with, let’s dispel one likely misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant component of the course of study will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved healthcare facility or an on-campus lab. Numerous courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-practical component of the training may be attended online, it can be a more practical option for some Spring Valley NY students. As an additional benefit, a number of online schools are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenditures, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered also. Just verify that the online phlebotomy school you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a premium education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the right choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Now that you have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already selected the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the college is relevant if you will be commuting from Spring Valley NY in addition to the tuition expense. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an accredited phlebotomy online school. Each of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for selecting a phlebotomy program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you should ask about all of the programs you are considering prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for New York or the state where you will be working and prepares you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you enroll in should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a superior education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to future employers in the Spring Valley NY job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of any colleges you are reviewing. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also talk to some Spring Valley NY clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and ask if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the New York school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Provided? To begin with, contact the state regulator where you will be working 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 furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask the programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with local healthcare facilities. They are the optimal way to obtain hands-on clinical training frequently not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Spring Valley NY healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Landing your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Ask if the schools you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a higher 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 a large network of professional contacts within the Spring Valley NY healthcare community.

Are Class Times Available as Needed? Finally, it’s important to make sure that the ultimate program you pick provides classes at times that are compatible with your hectic schedule. This is especially important if you choose to still work while going to school. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Spring Valley NY, check that they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is in case you need to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

School Of Phlebotomy Spring Valley NY

2 Week Phlebotomy Courses Spring Valley New York

Making sure that you select the right phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this fulfilling healthcare field. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomy training programs are found in a number of educational institutes, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive assortment of programs in medical care and health sciences. Training program offerings can vary a bit across the country as each state has its own prerequisites when it pertains to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must diligently research and compare each program before making your ultimate selection. You originally came to this website due to an interest in 2 Week Phlebotomy Courses and to get more information regarding How To Train As A Phlebotomist.  However, by asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the right phlebotomy college for you. And with the proper training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Spring Valley NY.

More New York Bloody Wonderful Locations

Fast Track Phlebotomy Technician Associates Degrees Allegany NY

Affordable Phlebotomy Training East Rockaway NY

Colleges That Offer Phlebotomy Program Rainbow Lake NY

Phlebotomists School Tuckahoe NY

Affordable Phlebotomy Technician Training Near Me Fredonia NY

Low Cost Phlebotomy Technician Courses Holbrook NY

Best Phlebotomy Technician Colleges Near Me Montrose NY

Low Cost Phlebotomy Training Spencertown NY

Top Drawing Blood Colleges Livingston NY

Affordable Phlebotomist Associates Degrees Fair Haven NY