Selecting a Phlebotomy School near Bordentown New Jersey

Picking the right phlebotomy school near Bordentown NJ is a critical first step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting undertaking to assess and compare each of the training alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you do your due diligence to make certain that you receive a superior education. In fact, most students begin their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional factor you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online schools 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 closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and must be part of your selection process also. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you select the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomy Tech Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their primary task, there is actually so much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the tools being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork needs to be correctly filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many Bordentown NJ phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are accountable for making sure that samples are tested properly using the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they might be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The quickest response is wherever they treat patients. Their workplaces are many and diverse, including Bordentown NJ hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing blood from a specific type of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Education, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily two types of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Bordentown NJ, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to complete and provides a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they typically require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program offer a more extensive background in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will probably want to get certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, most employers require certification before hiring 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 require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, such as California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a superior education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Certificates and Degrees

To begin with, let’s resolve one likely mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial part of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Bordentown NJ healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-practical component of the training may be attended online, it can be a more convenient alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, a number of online schools are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some costs, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist college you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a superior education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the best option for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Since you now have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the New Jersey school is significant as well as the cost of tuition. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist program. Each of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for selecting a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are several questions that you should ask about all of the Bordentown NJ programs you are considering prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to New Jersey? As previously mentioned, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states require certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for New Jersey or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you select should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from an assurance of a quality education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Bordentown NJ. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s important to check the reputations of all colleges you are considering. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their students as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even check with a few Bordentown NJ local clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and find out if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the New Jersey school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Included? First, contact the New Jersey regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Bordentown NJ phlebotomist program that you are looking at should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internships Provided? Ask the New Jersey schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with local medical facilities. They are the optimal means to get hands-on practical training typically not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Bordentown NJ medical community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Landing your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation together with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Bordentown NJ health care community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? Finally, it’s crucial to verify that the ultimate school you choose provides classes at times that are compatible with your active schedule. This is particularly true if you opt to still work while going to school. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Bordentown NJ, make certain they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option also. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is in case you have to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's important to consider questions you might be asked. Among the questions that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What made you select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not only the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what characteristics and skills you have that make you good at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of standard interview questions, so you should ready some ideas about how you want to answer them. Considering there are numerous factors that go into choosing a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a number 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 excellent Phlebotomy Technician and the best choice for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but take down some ideas and talking points that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can help you to prepare your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to include to enthuse the recruiter.

Select the Best Phlebotomy School near Bordentown NJ

Making sure that you select the most suitable phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are available in a wide range of educational institutions, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive array of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Program options can differ a bit across the country as every state has its own prerequisites when it concerns phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to diligently research and compare each school prior to making your ultimate decision. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the right college for you. And with the proper training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Bordentown NJ.

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