Choosing a Phlebotomy School near Ridgewood New Jersey

Enrolling in the right phlebotomist training near Ridgewood NJ is a critical initial step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging task to analyze and compare all of the school options that are accessible to you. However it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you get a superior education. In reality, a large number of prospective students begin the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another factor you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll review more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and need to be part of your selection process also. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you choose the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomy Technician Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their primary duty, there is actually much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork must be correctly filled out in order 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 can be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Ridgewood NJ phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are in charge of making sure that samples are analyzed properly using the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they can be asked to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The simplest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are numerous and diverse, including Ridgewood NJ medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be charged to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a certain type of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be collecting blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients each day.

Phlebotomy Training, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially two types of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Ridgewood NJ, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to finish and offers a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they typically require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program provide a more extensive background in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. Although not required in most states, many employers look for certification before employing technicians. A few of the key 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 call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, like Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a quality education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Certificates and Degrees

First, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. 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 carried out either in an approved Ridgewood NJ healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-practical part of the training may be accessed online, it might be a more practical alternative for many students. As an added benefit, a number of online schools are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some expenditures, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy school you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online may be the best choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Now that you have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already decided on the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the New Jersey campus is important in addition to the cost of tuition. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online college. All of these decisions are an important part of the process for picking a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you need to ask about all of the Ridgewood NJ programs you are looking at prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for New Jersey or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you select should be accredited by a recognized national or regional accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from an assurance of a quality education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Ridgewood NJ. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to check out the reputations of any colleges you are reviewing. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even talk to several Ridgewood NJ local hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can check with the New Jersey school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Provided? First, 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 Ridgewood NJ phlebotomy program that you are considering should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Find out from the New Jersey colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with local medical facilities. They are the ideal means to receive hands-on clinical training often not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Ridgewood NJ medical community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Landing your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Ridgewood NJ medical community.

Are Class Times Available as Needed? And last, it’s crucial to confirm that the final college you pick provides classes at times that will accommodate your active lifestyle. This is especially important if you decide to continue working while going to school. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Ridgewood NJ, check that they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option also. And if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is in case you need to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Choose to Become a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you could be asked. Among the things that hiring managers often ask Phlebotomist prospects is "What made you decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not merely the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but also what qualities and abilities you have that make you good at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of routine interview questions, so you must organize a number of strategies about how you would like to address them. Since there are numerous variables that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the strengths you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomist and the perfiect candidate for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but write down a few ideas and talking points that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample responses can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to impress the recruiter.

Enroll in the Right Phlebotomist College near Ridgewood NJ

Making sure that you choose the most suitable phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this rewarding healthcare field. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be found in a number of educational institutions, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide assortment of programs in medical care and health sciences. Course options can differ slightly across the country as every state has its own mandates when it comes to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must thoroughly screen and compare each program before making your final selection. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the best school for you. And with the proper education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Ridgewood NJ.

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