Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near New Brunswick New Jersey

Enrolling in the right phlebotomy technician school near New Brunswick NJ is a critical initial step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging task to analyze and compare all of the training alternatives that are accessible to you. However it’s vital that you complete your due diligence to make certain that you obtain a quality education. In fact, a large number of potential students start their search by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional option 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 far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and must be part of your selection process also. To assist in that effort, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you select the ideal 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.

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Phlebotomy Technician Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their main duty, there is actually so much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the instruments being employed are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork must be accurately filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory screening process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of New Brunswick NJ phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are responsible for making sure that samples are analyzed properly using the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they may be asked to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The quickest answer is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are numerous and diverse, such as New Brunswick NJ medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a certain type of patient. For instance, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be drawing blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Training, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially two types of programs that offer phlebotomist training in New Brunswick NJ, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to complete and furnishes a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they typically take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program provide a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will probably want to be certified. While not required in most states, a number of 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 several states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, such as California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a quality education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Certificates and Degrees

To start with, let’s resolve one potential mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A good part of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved New Brunswick NJ healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. 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 added benefit, many online colleges are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some costs, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomy school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a superior education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the ideal option for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Since you now have a basic understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the New Jersey campus is relevant as well as the tuition expense. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy program. All of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for choosing a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you need to ask about each of the New Brunswick NJ programs you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may have 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 readies you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited program aside from an assurance of a premium education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited schools in New Brunswick NJ. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In a number of 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 essential to investigate the reputations of any schools you are reviewing. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also check with several New Brunswick NJ local clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and see 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 complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Included? 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 amount of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any New Brunswick NJ phlebotomist program that you are looking at should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internships Provided? Ask the New Jersey colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with local medical facilities. They are the ideal way to receive hands-on clinical training frequently not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local New Brunswick NJ medical community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Finding your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are looking at provide 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 an excellent reputation together with a substantial network of professional contacts within the New Brunswick NJ health care community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? And last, it’s important to verify that the ultimate school you choose offers classes at times that will accommodate your busy schedule. This is particularly true if you opt to still work while going to school. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near New Brunswick NJ, make certain they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is in case you have to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's important to review questions you could be asked. Among the things that recruiters often ask Phlebotomy Tech candidates is "What drove you to decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not only the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what characteristics and talents you have that make you good at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of general interview questions, so you must ready a number of approaches about how you want to address them. Since there are so many variables that go into selecting a career, you can answer this primary question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the strengths you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Technician and the best choice for the job. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but jot down some ideas and anecdotes that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample responses can help you to develop your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to include to impress the recruiter.

Find the Ideal Phlebotomy College near New Brunswick NJ

Making certain that you choose the ideal phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are offered in a variety of academic institutes, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive array of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Program offerings can differ somewhat from state to state as each state has its own mandates when it pertains to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to diligently screen 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 pick the best college for you. And with the proper training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in New Brunswick NJ.

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