If you’re looking for free phlebotomy training in New York, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve covered a host of training options on this page ranging from scholarship and direct grant opportunities to low cost class reviews. We also have a set of contacts at the bottom for government services that provide help with retraining (usually for free) depending on your current status.
Before we explore the possible scholarship and free training options in New York, let’s take a moment to gain a greater understanding of this career path.
Table of Contents
What Does Phlebotomy Training Include?
Phlebotomy training programs teach future phlebotomists about the process of drawing blood from patients. A high school diploma or GED is usually required prior to enrollment into a training program.
The length of training depends on several factors. For example, on-the-job training may be available if you are currently employed in healthcare. This may include working as a phlebotomist-in training under the supervision of a qualified medical professional. Training generally takes about one year if you are currently employed part-time.
Another option for training consists of the completion of a training course, which can be taken at an accredited school. Under these circumstances, training generally takes approximately four to six months to complete. The typical training curriculum includes courses in the following:
- Laboratory safety procedures
- Blood and cell composition
- CPR
- Blood sampling procedures
- Infection control
- Anatomy and physiology
Along with these topics, instruction will include an overview of regulatory issues that affect phlebotomists, such as areas of informed consent and key elements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
Now lets look at some of the free training opportunities available in this state:
Contact a local division of the Adult Learning Program. This program is intended to help adults improve their lives through education and training. They provide various training options for those who are looking to be able to start a new career. You might find that one of the offices of the Adult Learning Program in your area is able to provide you with options to receive your phlebotomy training.
Contact local hospitals and other health providers in your area. Express your interest in working as a phlebotomist. Sometimes health care providers will hire individuals to work for them as a phlebotomist before they have received their training. If this is the case, they will ask you to agree to work for their facility for a set amount of time. In exchange for this agreement, they will pay for your training in Phlebotomy.
Your employer might be able to assist you in training in phlebotomy if you work for a company that hires lab technicians and phlebotomy professionals. Talk to your employer about your interest in changing careers. Explain to them that you cannot afford training on your own but believe you would be a valued member of their healthcare team. Once again, if you agree to continue working for the facility for a certain amount of time, they might be able to provide you with your training.
Grants and Scholarships for Phlebotomy in New York
Broome Community College
PO Box 1017-Binghamton, NY 13902
Broome Community College students, who are taking 3 or more credit hours but not above 11 credits, can apply for the Aid for Part-time Study (APTS) grant. Men and women who are enrolled or planning to enroll in the Phlebotomy course should keep this in mind if they will only be studying on a part time basis. To be able to apply for this grant, a student must have tuition costs that will be at least $100. That being said, the APTS program will not cover more than $2000 in tuition expenses for an academic year.
It is necessary for a person to hold a high school diploma or equivalent if they are going to apply for the grant. An individual also cannot have any student loans for which they have defaulted or they will be automatically denied Aid for Part Time Study even if they meet other qualifying criteria. There are income limits for anyone who would try to qualify for this part-time study financial assistance. It is to help students who might not otherwise be able to afford their studies.
If a person is over those income limits for their family size, they cannot be approved. Students should complete a FASFA and any college Broome Community College specific financial aid forms to determine if they qualify for the APTS program or for other grants or forms of financial aid.
CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College
Manhattan (199 Chambers Street- N742, New York, NY 10007
Phlebotomy students at CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College are among those who may qualify for the BMCC Foundation, Inc Presidential Scholarship. This scholarship will provide a student with no more than $3200 annually. To be eligible to apply for this particular scholarship a person should show not only financial need but also very good academic success. In fact, a student needs to have had at least an 80% high school GPA to apply. This award is not for older students but rather, high school seniors can apply. Students who apply for this award must also be able to show that they are involved in their community or have been committed to doing volunteer work.
The application process requires individuals to complete an application on the college website. Those applying will need a letter or recommendation from their guidance counselor or teacher and from another adult who is not related to them. Students must also write their own essay detailing their financial need as well as their professional plans once they obtain their post high school education. Cuny Community College has many other scholarships available for prospective phlebotomy students who would not qualify for this particular one.
Niagara County Community College
311 Saunders Settlement Rd., Sanborn NY 14132
Niagra County Community College offers a 14-credit hour phlebotomy program that prepares students for immediate entry-level employment in a variety of medical settings, such as physician’s offices, laboratories, clinics, and other health-care facilities. Interested students must possess a high school diploma or GED. Courses include topics on phlebotomy, biology, and ethics-related courses.
Students interested in scholarship opportunities should contact the school’s scholarship office, which is located in the administration complex, room A-114. Students can also call the scholarship office at (716) 614-6205 for more specific information and eligibility criteria. One scholarship example offered at Niagra County Community College is known as the Marie F. Abbondanza Memorial Scholarship. To be eligible for this award, students must attend the college and have a GPA of at least 3.0. Applicants must also submit one letter of recommendation.
York College
94-20 Guy R. Brewer Blvd., Jamaica, NY 11451
The phlebotomy program at York College is designed to prepare students for a career as professional phlebotomists. The nine-week program consists of lectures, classroom assignments, practical skills labs, and a final examination.
There are many other degrees offered at this college as well. Some days you may decide to return to school to further your career.
Students interested in financial assistance should inquire with the school’s financial aid office about scholarship opportunities. One potential scholarship, known as the York College Foundation Scholarship, offers monetary assistance to eligible students who are enrolled in the phlebotomy program. Candidates for this scholarship must submit an application and demonstrate financial need and willingness to complete the required phlebotomy coursework.
Low Cost Phlebotomy Training in New York
ACE Institute of Technology
Manhattan (312 W 36th St., New York, NY 10018); Queens (109-19 72nd Rd., Forest Hills, NY 11375)
212-695-9700
The phlebotomy class will prepare students to sit for the national exam and they can become a phlebotomist with these after gaining all the learning experience in this course.
The course will teach students to safely identify Blood structures and to properly draw blood samples. They will learn about the effects of anticoagulants on the blood. The course teaches quality control and safety precautions.
Hostos Community College
500 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY 10451
7185184444
This course covers 80 hours of instruction. There is a day or a weekend course schedule available. The day class covers 20 sessions. The weekend class covers 16 sessions. It takes two months to complete the day sessions or five months to complete the weekend sessions.
Both classes cover 80 hours of lessons including the hands on experience. This course was last listed as costing $995.
This course is primarily geared towards individuals who are already in the healthcare force. It is meant to train them to be able to provide phlebotomy services. For example, nurses and CNA’s often take this course. That is not to say that other individuals are not welcome to apply to be considered for acceptance.
TIA Medical School
545 8th Avenue, New York, New York 10018
This course is nationally accredited. It’s designed to prepare you to sit for the national certification exam for phlebotomist and you should have the knowledge and skills you need to do so once you finish the course. The course includes classroom instruction, lab studies and hands on experience.
Students learn how to prepare samples and specimens for lab studies. They also learn to be able to perform glucose monitor testing. The program has a low cost of $500. They do offer payment plans to make things even more manageable.
Instructors are well experienced and certainly well qualified. They are eager to help all their students learn well so they may embark on this exciting new career.
Institutions that May Be Able to Help
Bronx Adult Learning Center (BxALC)
3450 East Tremont Avenue, Room 323
Bronx, NY 10465
718-863-4057
Alternative Education Complex
500 8th Avenue (entrance at 269 West 35th Street), 10th floor
New York, NY 10018
212-868-1650
New York Department of Labor
Averell Harriman State Office Campus
Building 12
Albany New York 12240
Job Center
12 West 14th Street
New York, NY 10011
Sample Phlebotomy Test Questions
The phlebotomy technician certification exam consists of 100 multiple choice questions. The allowed time for the test is two hours, and students must score 70% or above to pass. Although certification is not mandatory in New York, it may lead to higher pay and additional job opportunities.
The following two questions are examples that prospective phlebotomists may encounter during the examination:
Question:
Phlebotomists have occupational exposure to blood-borne pathogens through which one of the following routes?
- breaks in the skin
- blood that splashes into the eyes, mouth, or nose
- blood that comes into contact with a scratch, cut, or abrasion
- all of the above
Answer:
D – All of the above are potential routes in which phlebotomists may come into contact with blood-borne pathogens. Any exposure incident requires immediate attention.
Question:
Which one of the following must occur if a phlebotomist if a contaminated blood exposure incident occurs?
- the patient’s blood should be tested for HIV
- the employee should document the exposure in a personnel journal
- if the blood was not suspected to be contaminated, the employee should not worry
- all of the above
Answer:
A – Key elements of post-exposure involve testing the employee’s blood for HIV, testing the source patient’s blood for HIV, HBV. If the source patient tested positive for HIV, the employee is counseled and examined for HIV infection immediately after the exposure and at periodic intervals, typically 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 6 months, and at 1 year following the initial exposure.
How much does a phlebotomist in New York Earn?
Phlebotomists in New York earn an average of $41,500 per year but salary ranges may vary depending on the city and other important factors including education, certification, experience and additional skills.
Your Questions Answered
Do you need a phlebotomy license in New York? New York does not require phlebotomists to be licensed. However, a certification will be awarded upon successful completion of the training program and examination.
Is phlebotomy a good career? Phlebotomy is a greatly rewarding career and it is a much better option than many jobs. It’s a great starting point for a healthcare career.
Am I required to be good at math to be a phlebotomist? Phlebotomy training does not require any math and very little training.
How long is the phlebotomy training program? The program is about 4-8 months long (1/2 semesters) depending on the school you’re attending. Some training centers do offer fast track options.
Will I work nights and weekends? This will depend on where you work. In many settings, you will have to work weekends. You may have to work nights or they may have the shifts broken up and hire you for a particular shift; in which case you could try to get a dayshift job.
Does a phlebotomist only collect samples from the arm? No. There may be times they need to collect from other areas. This may include the heel or the hand.