Phlebotomy Training in Rochester, NY:
Rochester is the third most populous city in New York State, after Buffalo and New York
City, with an approximate population of 220,000. The greater metropolitan area, of
course, is home to a population that expands past 1,000,000.
This charming city has its place in history as one of the country’s first so-called
boomtowns. Today Rochester is known as being one of the premier destinations for
higher education, as well as for being a major playing in the technological and medical
development industries. A number of large and innovative companies call Rochester
home.
Rochester has been rated as one of the most liveable cities in the country, with a high
quality of life, low cost of living, top-notch school systems, and impressively low
unemployment rates.
As a certified phlebotomist in Rochester, you could expect to earn an average salary of
$30,773. This average is of course influenced by a number of factors, including years of
experience and where you find yourself working. With the median housing price being
$83,000 in Rochester, the average salary for a phlebotomist is quite respectable.
Is a Phlebotomy Career Right For You?
Before you embark on a phlebotomy certification training course, you should considered
whether this is the right career choice for you. Here are some factors that can influence
whether this is the right option for you:
- Do you like working with people? As a phlebotomist you’ll work closely with
patients throughout the course of your day. Some patients may be challenging,
may be nervous, or may be fussy children.
- Do you want a foot in the medical field, without spending a lot of money and time
in school? Phlebotomy training is extensive, but the training courses can be as
short as six weeks. This will allow you to get to work almost immediately so that
you can get a feel for the medical field and determine whether this is the best
choice for you.
- Do you have a calm and professional demeanour? Because so many of your
patients could be feeling anxiety and stress, it’s important that you are able to
keep them calm or entertained while quickly getting your job done.
It should go without saying that you are likely not a good fit for phlebotomy if you are at
all squeamish about needles, blood, and other specimens that could include urine. As a
skilled healthcare worker, you’ll work alongside nurses and doctors, in a number of
health facility settings.
You could find yourself working in hospitals, private clinics, blood banks, laboratories,
and even home health care.
The Importance of Getting Certified:
While there are some states that require phlebotomists hold a valid certification prior to
working with patients, the State of New York does not require this. However, it is a good
plan to pursue your phlebotomy certification for a number of reasons.
- Training will ensure that you are familiar with the most up-to-date techniques and
safety protocols.
- Training will ensure that you have all of the skills that future employers are
looking for; and will ensure them that you can do the job they will be paying you
for.
- Certification allows you to command a higher salary, even if you have been
working in an uncertified capacity for many years.
- Holding your national certification will put you in a good position to secure a job in
any city and most states around the country. Be sure to check the requirements
for certification if you plan on moving to a different state, however.
Certification is relatively easy, particularly if you get into the right training program. In
just a matter of weeks you could find yourself working with patients in a clinical setting,
and well on your way to taking the certification exam.
More than that, undergoing a training course will teach you all that you need to know in
order to comfortably work with patients, including the following:
- Medical terminology
- Caring for and soothing patients
- Correct procedures and safety protocols for drawing blood from fingers, veins,
and other areas like on the heels of infants
- Controlling infection and other safety methods
- Handling of specimens, including correct labelling and transportation
- Patient privacy
This type of knowledge can serve you in good stead as you enter the job market.
Prerequisites for Working as a Certified Phlebotomist:
Each school that you look into might have its own set of requirements, so it’s important
that you look into them before you make a decision.
Some of the requirements could include the following:
- You should be at least 18 years old. Some schools may have some exceptions, but
will require that you are 18 prior to working with patients.
- You should be up to date on your vaccinations. You might also need to get
additional vaccinations done prior to starting your training, like hepatitis C
vaccinations.
- You should be able to demonstrate that you have graduated from high school, or
have passed an equivalency exam.
- You should be fluent in English.
- Some schools will require that students have a CPR certification prior to working
with patients.
It’s a good idea to carefully learn all there is to know about a training program prior to
enrolling in it, particularly as it comes to the financial aspects.
Training Courses in Rochester:
Monroe Community College
Monroe Community College offers a comprehensive training course that will prepare
students for passing the certification exam. Students should carefully review the course
prerequisites prior to enrolling.
http://www.monroe.edu/CommunityEd.cfm?subpage=330
Rochester Regional Health System:
Rochester Regional Health System provides medical professionals with the education
needed to excel in the field. Here you will get the hands-on experience that will allow
you to become the best in your field. Students are also able to later continue their
education and pursue additional certifications.
http://www.rochestergeneral.org/healthcare-professionals/residency-and-training-programs/
The City of Rochester offers vocational training that includes phlebotomy as a part of
the nurse’s assistant training program. This course could be a good choice for the
individual looking to get started as a phlebotomist as a stepping stone toward becoming
a nurse’s assistant or some other career path in the medical field.
Here’s more info on that program:
http://www.rochesterworks.org/docs/Vocational%20Guide/Health_Services_DirectPatientCareServices.pdf
More Phlebotomy Schools in the New York Area:
Search our free directory of colleges and vocational schools that offer Phlebotomy programs in the New York area:
Fortis College-Montgomery
University of Alaska Anchorage
Alaska Career College
Phoenix College
Coconino Community College
Pima Community College
Brookline College-Phoenix
Brookline College-Tucson
Yavapai College
Arizona College-Glendale
External Websites:
Salary.com – All average salary figures were compiled from data from Salary.com.
Wikipedia – The skyline of Rochester NY is from Wikimedia Commons.