Picking a Phlebotomy Course near Park Ridge New Jersey

Choosing the ideal phlebotomy technician training near Park Ridge NJ is an essential first step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting task to analyze and compare all of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. However it’s vital that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a quality education. In fact, most potential students start the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Another option you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll review more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and must be part of your selection process too. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you pick the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their primary responsibility, there is in fact much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample has to be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork has to be properly completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab testing procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Park Ridge NJ phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are accountable for ensuring that samples are tested correctly using the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they might be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The most basic response is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are many and varied, such as Park Ridge NJ hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be charged to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a particular type of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily 2 kinds of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Park Ridge NJ, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to finish and furnishes a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they normally require 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program provide a more extensive background in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. While not required in most states, a number of employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. A few of the main certifying organizations 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 call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, like California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a superior education, but also prepares 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 likely mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant component of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Park Ridge NJ healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-practical portion of the training may be attended online, it might be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, some online colleges are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some expenses, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy program you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a superior education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the right option for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Since you now have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the New Jersey school is important as well as the cost of tuition. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist school. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for picking a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you need to ask about all of the Park Ridge NJ programs you are looking at before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to New Jersey? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for New Jersey or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you select should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited school in addition to a guarantee of a premium education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited schools in Park Ridge NJ. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In numerous 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 important to check out the reputations of any schools you are reviewing. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also talk to several Park Ridge NJ area clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can offer any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the New Jersey school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Provided? First, contact the New Jersey regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Park Ridge NJ phlebotomy 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 lower than these minimums might indicate that the program is not expansive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Find out from the New Jersey programs you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with area healthcare facilities. They are the ideal means to receive hands-on practical training frequently not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Park Ridge NJ healthcare community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Getting your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the schools you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Park Ridge NJ health care community.

Are Class Times Available as Needed? And last, it’s important to make sure that the ultimate school you pick provides classes at times that are compatible with your hectic schedule. This is particularly important if you opt to continue working while attending college. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Park Ridge NJ, check that they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option as well. And if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is should you need to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's a good idea to review questions you may be asked. Among the things that hiring managers frequently ask Phlebotomy Tech candidates is "What drove you to pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not only the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but additionally what attributes and skills you possess that make you good at what you do. You will likely be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of routine interview questions, so you should prepare a number of strategies about how you want to answer them. Because there are several variables that go into choosing a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the abilities you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Technician and the perfiect choice for the position. Don't try to memorize an answer, but jot down a few ideas and topics that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Going over sample answers can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Find the Best Phlebotomy Program near Park Ridge NJ

Making sure that you select the most suitable phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a superior school. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are offered in a number of educational institutions, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide array of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program options may differ somewhat across the country as every state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must diligently research and compare each college prior to making your final decision. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the ideal school for you. And with the appropriate training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Park Ridge NJ.

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