Selecting a Phlebotomy Course near Palisades Park New Jersey

Picking the right phlebotomist training near Palisades Park NJ is an important first step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult task to assess and compare all of the training options that are accessible to you. However it’s vital that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you get a quality education. In reality, most prospective students start the process by looking at 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 classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll review 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 closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and should be part of your decision process also. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you pick the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomy Technician Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their principal function, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the tools being utilized are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork needs to be accurately completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory screening procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Palisades Park NJ phlebotomists actually work in labs and are responsible for making certain that samples are tested properly using the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they might be required to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The quickest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their workplaces are many and varied, such as Palisades Park NJ hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing blood from a particular kind of patient. For instance, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be drawing blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients each day.

Phlebotomy Training, Certification and Licensing

There are basically 2 types of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Palisades Park NJ, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to finish and offers a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will include training to become a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they normally take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program furnish a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, a number of employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. Some of the primary certifying agencies include:

• National Phlebotomy Association
• National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
• American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
• American Medical Technologists (AMT)

There are some states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, such as Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a superior education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Certificates and Degrees

To start with, let’s dispel one potential misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A good component of the course of study will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Palisades Park NJ healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-clinical portion of the training may be accessed online, it might be a more convenient option for many students. As an additional benefit, many online colleges are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenditures, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a quality education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online may be the right option for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Now that you have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already picked the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the New Jersey campus is significant in addition to the tuition expense. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist school. All of these decisions are a critical part of the process for choosing a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you should ask about all of the Palisades Park NJ schools you are considering prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for New Jersey or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for any examinations you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you pick should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a quality education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited colleges in Palisades Park NJ. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to check the reputations of all schools you are reviewing. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can research online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also check with some Palisades Park NJ area hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and find out if they can provide any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the New Jersey school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Provided? To begin with, contact the New Jersey regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Palisades Park NJ phlebotomist program that you are considering should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums might indicate that the program is not expansive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internships Provided? Ask the New Jersey colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with local medical facilities. They are the optimal means to obtain hands-on clinical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local Palisades Park NJ medical community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Landing your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Palisades Park NJ healthcare community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s critical to make sure that the ultimate program you pick provides classes at times that will accommodate your busy lifestyle. This is especially important if you choose to continue working while going to school. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Palisades Park NJ, check that they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option also. Even if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up procedure is should you have to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's advantageous to consider questions you might be asked. Among the questions that interviewers frequently ask Phlebotomist applicants is "What made you choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not merely the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what qualities and abilities you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will likely be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of routine interview questions, so you need to organize a number of approaches about how you would like to answer them. Because there are numerous factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession interests you in addition to the strengths you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Technician and the perfiect choice for the job. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but take down some ideas and topics that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample answers can assist you to develop your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.

Choose the Right Phlebotomy Program near Palisades Park NJ

Making sure that you pick the right phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are found in a wide range of academic institutes, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive array of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Program offerings may vary a bit from state to state as every state has its own prerequisites when it pertains to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must thoroughly research and compare each college prior to making your final decision. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the ideal program for you. And with the appropriate training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Palisades Park NJ.

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