Phlebotomy technicians are trained to draw and prepare quality blood samples for donations, or laboratory testing. Phlebotomists work with many patient populations across a variety of healthcare settings including hospitals, clinical laboratories, private practices and nursing facilities. Recently there has been an increasing demand for mobile phlebotomists who travel to varying sites to collect blood or other specimens.

Responsibilities

Phlebotomists are an essential part of medical teams and perform tasks that help doctors and other practitioners accurately diagnose health conditions or evaluate a patient’s response to treatment.

General duties of a phlebotomy technician may include:

• Assembling and maintaining medical instruments and equipment necessary for specimen procurement
• Performing appropriate venipuncture and skin puncture techniques
• Processing samples: labeling, centrifuging, splitting and freezing specimens as required by test order
• Providing exceptional customer service to enhance patient experience and minimize discomfort
• Clerical Duties: Data entry, tracking inventory, ordering supplies

Medical Training and Certification

Our phlebotomy technician program is affordable, flexible and ideal for busy professionals. It can take as little as one month to complete hands-on training, become certified and jumpstart your career in healthcare.

 Career Outlook for Phlebotomy Technicians

The phlebotomy job market is strong. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of phlebotomists is projected to grow by 23% from 2018 to 2028, faster than the average for all occupations.

Phlebotomy technicians are in high demand, with many opportunities for employment across the nation. This entry-level position also offers excellent job security and good pay with a median salary of $34,480 (as of May 2018).

Phlebotomists gain fundamental insights into other healthcare positions by working alongside a variety of medical professionals. As a result, many phlebotomy technicians advance into higher ranks or other allied health careers.

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Certified patient care technicians/assistants (CPCT/A), commonly known as PCTs, are supervised by doctors and nurses to complete assigned or delegated tasks. PCTs provide compassionate, and effective, patient-centered care to bring comfort to those facing hospitalization, diagnostic tests. Patient Care Technicians may work in a variety of medical settings including hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation facilities or nursing homes.

Responsibilities
Patient care technicians provide the same essential hands-on care as nursing assistants (CNAs), but are also trained to proficiently perform phlebotomy and electrocardiography procedures. PCTs are responsible for:

● Assisting with activities of daily living (hygiene, grooming, nutrition, etc.)
● Measuring, and recording patient’s vital signs, height and weight
● Reporting patient symptoms, and changes in condition
● Acquiring, distributing and administering patient care supplies
● Collecting laboratory specimens
● Performing EKG/ECG and phlebotomy procedures
● Providing emotional support to patients and families
● Data collection, and assisting with admissions, transfer, or discharge processes

Required Training
PCT programs are designed to equip students with the foundational knowledge of and technical competencies in nursing care, phlebotomy and EKG/ECG. Career changers who are completely new to the healthcare field may complete their PCT training within just a few months, with flexible class and payment options available.

Exam and Certifications
Become a certified PCT in 3 easy steps:

1. Complete a New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) accredited nursing aide/assistant program and pass the competency evaluation exam to become a Certified Nursing Aide/Assistant (CNA).

2. Complete courses in phlebotomy and EKG/ECG procedures either separately (60 hours each), or as a combination course (100 hours total).

3. Pass the PCT exam offered by a certification agency to become a Certified Patient Care Technician/Assistant (CPCT/A).

Basic Life Support (BLS) certification is a general requirement for healthcare workers who may need to perform high-quality first aid procedures like cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to sustain or revive individuals in life-threatening emergencies.

Career Outlook for PCTs
It’s an exciting time to launch a career in healthcare, with the employment of nursing assistants (with similar duties to PCTs) projected to grow by 9% between 2018 and 2028 to meet the needs of an aging baby boomer population, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Becoming a PCT is one of the quickest and most affordable ways to join a rapidly expanding industry which also offers great stability, and abundant opportunities for professional advancement.

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If you are passionate about providing care for others and making a positive impact on their lives, becoming a certified personal care assistant may be ideal for you. Personal care aides provide direct care to physically or mentally challenged clients within residential facilities, hospices or private homes. Care workers are generally patient, compassionate people, with a happy or cheerful demeanor. They perform a variety of essential and physically demanding tasks while remaining calm under pressure. Care assistants are employed by public, and private agencies or are hired directly by clients’ families.

Responsibilities:

Under the supervision of a registered nurse, patient care assistants follow a care plan while observing, recording and reporting on the patient’s condition. Our program teaches students how to provide quality care that maintains the health and safety of their clients which includes:

Housekeeping: Making bed/ changing bed linens, doing laundry, ironing and lightly cleaning patient areas (bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, etc.).

Nutritional support: Developing menus, preparing grocery lists, grocery shopping, preparing meals, feeding, measuring and recording intake of food and fluids.

Personal and environmental safety: Preventing accidents, utilizing body mechanics to safely turn, reposition, or transfer patients in or from bed, chair, wheelchair.

Personal care functions: Bathing, showering, grooming, skin care, toileting, walking, assisting with use of medical supplies and equipment, wound dressing, safely turning and repositioning

Performing and recording simple measures:

• Weigh patient
• Blood pressure  
• Vital signs: temperature, pulse, respiration
• Obtaining lab specimen
• Intake and output
• Urine test for glucose and ketones

Other activities: Completing personal business, running errands, accompanying patient/client outdoors to medical appointments or social/recreational activities.

Employment Outlook

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for personal care assistants in 2018 was $24,200. With a growing elderly population and a strong preference for in-home care, personal care is one of the fastest-growing industries in the U.S. Job prospects for personal care assistants are excellent, and employment is predicted to increase by 36% over the next 10 years.

Register Today To Become a Personal Care Assistant

A certified nursing assistant (CNA), or nurse’s aide is an important member of the healthcare team. These professionals follow nursing care plans to provide essential care and quality services to people who are sick, injured, aging or dying. CNAs can choose to work in hospitals, long-term care facilities and private homes to assist with common daily tasks such as dressing, toileting and feeding.

Responsibilities:
CNAs provide fundamental basic care and assist with activities of daily living which promote a patient’s physical and emotional wellbeing. Nursing assistants also ensure the safety of their patients and residents while delivering a high standard of care to boost their overall health. Some core responsibilities of CNAs include:

● Collecting specimens from patients for medical analysis
● Taking vital signs (blood pressure, temperature, pulse), and performing measurements (height, weight)
● Interacting with patients, recording their reported symptoms
● Observing and reporting signs of infection and any changes in the patient’s condition to the nursing staff
● Maintaining cleanliness and safety in patient or resident environments
● Feeding, dressing or helping residents use the toilet or bedpan
● Safely transferring patients (from bed, chair, or wheelchair), and repositioning
● Assist residents in getting to common areas for socialization and/or entertainment purposes

Required Training
In accordance with state and federal requirements, nursing assistants must complete a New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) approved education program, providing instruction on basic nursing principles, and supervised clinical training. Certified Nursing Assistant programs can be completed in as little as 5 weeks, with flexible class schedules and tuition costs as low as $800.

Exam and Certificates
CNAs typically have at least a high school diploma, GED or High School Equivalency or a licensed school might offer an Ability to Benefit exam, which gauges on student’s understanding of basic English and Mathematic skills. In order to practice, a CNA must pass the New York Nurse Aide Exam which consists of two parts:

1) A written exam (also available in an oral format)

2) A clinical skills (practical) exam

Nursing assistants who successfully pass both portions of the competency exam are listed on the NYS Nurse Aide Registry (NAR).

Basic Life Support (BLS) certification is required by many employers as healthcare workers may need to perform high-quality first aid procedures like cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to sustain or revive individuals in life-threatening emergencies.

Career Outlook for CNAs
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, a Certified Nursing Assistant in New York State earned a median salary of $28, 540 in 2018, at an hourly rate of $13.72. The career outlook is excellent as the demand for nursing assistants rapidly grows with an increasing aging population and expanding healthcare industry. Compared with an average job growth of only 5%, the overall employment of CNAs is predicted to increase by 9% through 2028.

Start Your Career in Healthcare
While working in healthcare can be demanding, your contribution to improving the lives and well being of others can be incredibly rewarding. If you are committed to making a difference and interested in launching a stable career with many opportunities to advance or specialize you should consider becoming a CNA today!

Register today to become a Certified Nursing Assistant!