Choosing a Phlebotomy Training Program near Elmwood Park New Jersey

Selecting the right phlebotomy training near Elmwood Park NJ is an essential initial step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting task to investigate and compare all of the training options that are accessible to you. However it’s important that you do your due diligence to make sure that you receive a superior education. In reality, a large number of prospective students start their search by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional factor you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss more about online classes later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and must be part of your decision process also. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you pick the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomy Tech Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their main responsibility, there is actually so much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the tools being used are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork must be properly completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Elmwood Park NJ phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are accountable for making sure that samples are tested properly under the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they may be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The simplest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are many and varied, such as Elmwood Park NJ medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a certain kind of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Training, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily two types of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Elmwood Park NJ, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to finish and offers a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they typically take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program offer a more expansive background in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. Although not mandated in most states, most employers require certification before hiring technicians. A few of the principal certifying agencies include:

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

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

Phlebotomy Online Colleges

To begin with, let’s resolve one potential misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A good part of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Elmwood 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-practical part of the training can be accessed online, it may be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, many online schools are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some expenses, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomy program you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a quality education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online may be the best choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Since you now have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already picked the type 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 college is relevant in addition to the cost of tuition. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist school. All 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 some questions that you need to ask about all of the Elmwood Park NJ programs you are reviewing prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for New Jersey or the state where you will be working and readies you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you enroll in should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a quality 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 earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges in Elmwood Park NJ. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to investigate the reputations of any colleges you are looking at. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also talk to a few Elmwood Park NJ area hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and ask if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the New Jersey school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Enough Training Provided? First, check with the New Jersey regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Elmwood Park NJ phlebotomist program that you are considering should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out from the New Jersey schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with area medical facilities. They are the ideal means to get hands-on practical training often not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Elmwood Park NJ health care community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Offered? Getting your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Ask if the schools you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Elmwood Park NJ health care community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s important to make sure that the ultimate school you choose provides classes at times that are compatible with your hectic schedule. This is particularly important if you decide to continue working while going to school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Elmwood Park NJ, check that they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option as well. And if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is in case you need to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's helpful to reflect on questions you could be asked. Among the questions that hiring managers typically ask Phlebotomy Tech candidates is "What made you select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not only the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what characteristics and talents you have that make you exceptional at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of standard interview questions, so you should ready several strategies about how you want to address them. Considering there are numerous factors that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this primary question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession appeals to you in addition to the abilities you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Tech and the best candidate for the position. Don't try to memorize an answer, but jot down some ideas and topics that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Going over sample answers can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.

Find the Right Phlebotomist Course near Elmwood Park NJ

Making sure that you pick the right phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be available in a variety of educational institutions, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide range of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Program offerings may differ slightly across the country as each state has its own mandates when it concerns phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to carefully evaluate and compare each school before making your ultimate decision. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the right school for you. And with the proper education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Elmwood Park NJ.

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