Choosing a Phlebotomist Course near West New York New Jersey

Selecting the ideal phlebotomist school near West New York NJ is a critical initial step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting task to evaluate and compare all of the training options that are available to you. However it’s vital that you perform your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a quality education. In reality, a large number of prospective students start the process by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional option you might consider 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 locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and need to be part of your selection process too. 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 select the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their main duty, there is actually much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the tools being employed are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork must be properly completed to be able 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 screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some West New York NJ phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are responsible for making sure that samples are analyzed correctly under the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they may be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The simplest response is wherever there are patients. Their work places are many and diverse, such as West New York NJ hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a certain type of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Education, Certification and Licensing

There are basically 2 kinds of programs that provide phlebotomy training in West New York NJ, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to complete and provides a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they usually require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program provide a more expansive background in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will probably want to be certified. While not required in most states, most employers look for certification before employing technicians. Some 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 some states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, such as Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only furnishes a quality education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Schools

To start with, let’s dispel one potential misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial part of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved West New York NJ healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-clinical component of the training can be accessed online, it could be a more practical alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, some online colleges are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a superior education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the best choice for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Now that you have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might 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 significant in addition to the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online college. All of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for selecting a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you need to ask about each of the West New York NJ colleges you are reviewing before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to New Jersey? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements 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 hours of clinical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for New Jersey or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you choose should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from a guarantee of a superior education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited programs in West New York NJ. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate the reputations of all schools you are looking at. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their students as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even talk to a few West New York NJ area hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and find out if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the New Jersey school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Provided? To begin with, check with the New Jersey regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any West New York NJ phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internships Provided? Ask the New Jersey programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional medical facilities. They are the ideal means to obtain hands-on practical training often not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local West New York NJ health care community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Finding your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the schools you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation together with a substantial network of professional contacts within the West New York NJ healthcare community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? Finally, it’s crucial to confirm that the final program you choose provides classes at times that will accommodate your active lifestyle. This is particularly important if you decide to still work while attending college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near West New York NJ, make sure they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option also. Even 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 should you need to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Desire to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's advantageous to review questions you might be asked. Among the things that hiring managers often ask Phlebotomy Tech prospects is "What made you select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not just the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what attributes and talents you have that make you outstanding at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of standard interview questions, so you must prepare several ideas about how you want to address them. Considering there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession appeals to you along with the abilities you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Technician and the ideal choice for the job. Don't try to memorize an answer, but jot down some ideas and topics that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample answers can help you to develop your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.

Select the Ideal Phlebotomy College near West New York NJ

Making certain that you select the ideal phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are found in a wide range of academic institutions, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive assortment of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program offerings may differ a bit from state to state as each state has its own requirements when it concerns phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to diligently screen and compare each college before making your final selection. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the best school for you. And with the proper education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in West New York NJ.

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