phlebotomy technician working in new york

Phlebotomy Technician Certification in New York

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Did you know as of 2021, there were approximately 132,750 phlebotomists employed in the United States? Wouldn’t you like to be one of those people?

If you’re looking at a career as a phlebotomy technician, you’re in for a rewarding, long-term career. Your first step is learning about what it takes to get you there.

You’ll need to know about education, certifications, and how you can find the best phlebotomy jobs in New York. Keep reading to learn all you need to know!

Phlebotomy Technician Overview

Phlebotomy technicians are a critical part of any healthcare team. They draw blood from patients and make sure the samples are ready to be sent for testing. A phlebotomy technician will also collect blood from blood donors to send to people who require blood transfusions.

Phlebotomists also need to be educated on the different types of blood tests, and how diet and medications can impact the quality of blood samples.

Other duties phlebotomy technicians perform include:

  • Cleaning and sterilizing equipment at a phlebotomy clinic
  • Keeping patient medical records up to date
  • Providing comfort to patients
  • Taking blood pressure readings
  • Cleaning and applying a bandage to the skin after a blood draw
  • Educating patients

You’ll find phlebotomy technicians working at medical clinics, doctors’ offices, and hospitals. They also can work at blood donation centers and even insurance companies or research institutions.

Phlebotomy Training

If you want to become a phlebotomist, you can enroll in a phlebotomy course online at the Phlebotomy Training Center, or take an in-person class.

Online phlebotomy training is a better fit for many people as it allows for flexibility, and you can still keep a similar schedule for your work and family life. Online courses are self-paced, and you have six months to complete the course after you enroll. You can even complete the entire course curriculum in as little as four weeks.

Online Phlebotomy Course Prerequisities

To enroll in an online phlebotomy course, it’s best to have your high school diploma or GED. It’s helpful to have previous experience or volunteer work interacting with people, and also course experience in biology and health sciences. However, no prior work experience is required to enroll in this course.

Online Phlebotomy Course Curriculum

An online phlebotomy technician course is made up of 140 hours of course content you’ll have to learn and covers different topics such as:

  • Principles of phlebotomy techniques
  • Processing specimens
  • Patient care
  • The disease process
  • Anatomy and physiology
  • Therapeutic communication styles
  • Patient assessments
  • Proper equipment use and maintenance

You’ll also learn techniques for troubleshooting hard-to-find veins and learn about the phlebotomy scope of practice.

Course Internship

You also need to complete an internship that requires you to do at least 30 blood draws. You’re expected to check with your local blood donation centers, plasma centers, and laboratories to complete these requirements.

If you’re unable to find an internship in your area, you can request a virtual simulation kit. This kit will be mailed to your home, and you’ll follow the online video instructions to complete the blood draws.

You will then have to take videos of yourself using the practice kit, and course instructors will send feedback for any corrections you need to make. You’ll continue the process until you have completed all 30 blood draws. You can keep the kit for up to two weeks before you need to send it back to the school.

How to Get certified in Phlebotomy

Phlebotomists aren’t required to be licensed in the state of New York, but having your phlebotomy certification in New York can put you ahead of the game.

Once you graduate from your online phlebotomy training program, you’ll be eligible to take different phlebotomy certification exams through organizations like NAPTP, NHA, and AMT.

The National Association of Phlebotomy Technician Professionals (NAPTP) costs $129, but Phlebotomy Career Training students have the fees for this exam already included in their course costs.

Phlebotomy Jobs in New York

Once you’ve finished your education and have your phlebotomy certification, you’ll be able to get started on your job search in New York. Start your search at local hospitals, emergency clinics, and blood donation centers. Don’t forget to look at VA clinics as they often have opportunities for new graduates.

Also, you’ll want to take a look at traveling phlebotomist jobs. With traveling phlebotomy, you’ll get the opportunity to travel around the local area to see your patients. Some traveling phlebotomist jobs will require you to travel around the state of New York.

Home health and hospice agencies will need you to go to patients’ homes to take their blood. You can also travel around to see patients at different nursing facilities to perform blood draws

How Much Do Phlebotomists Make?

In 2021, the average phlebotomy technician salary was $37,380 a year, and employment for phlebotomy careers will grow another 22% by the year 2030.

If you’re a traveling phlebotomist, you’ll also get paid for mileage expenses and any long-distance travel costs such as food and lodging.

Sign Up for a Phlebotomy Technician Course Today

Now you know what it takes to become a phlebotomy technician in New York, you can get started today on this amazing career path.

If you need to find an online phlebotomy technician program, then turn to the professionals at the Phlebotomy Career Training for your educational needs.

Our programs are accredited nationally, and we will spend quality time with you to help you meet your educational goals. Make sure you contact us today and start learning tomorrow!