Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician Course near Atlantic Highlands New Jersey

Choosing the right phlebotomy technician school near Atlantic Highlands NJ is a critical initial step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging task to investigate and compare each of the school alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you complete your due diligence to make certain that you obtain a quality education. In fact, many students start the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Another option you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll review more about online classes later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and should be part of your decision process as well. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you pick the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomy Technician Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their primary duty, there is in fact much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the tools being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork must be properly completed in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab testing process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Atlantic Highlands NJ phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are in charge of making sure that samples are analyzed correctly under the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they can be asked to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The quickest response is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are numerous and varied, such as Atlantic Highlands NJ hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be charged to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a particular type of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients each day.

Phlebotomist Education, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily two kinds of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Atlantic Highlands NJ, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to complete and offers a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they normally take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program offer a more extensive background in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not required in most states, a number of employers require certification before employing technicians. A few of the main certifying organizations 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 prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, like Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a superior education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Schools

To begin with, let’s dispel one possible misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A good component of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Atlantic Highlands NJ healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-practical component of the training can be attended online, it might be a more convenient option for some students. As an additional benefit, a number of online colleges are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some costs, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist school you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a quality education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the ideal choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Since you now have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already picked 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 school is relevant as well as the tuition expense. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy college. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for picking a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are a few questions that you should ask about all of the Atlantic Highlands NJ colleges you are considering before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to New Jersey? As earlier discussed, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may need 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 preps you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you select should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from a guarantee of a superior education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are typically not available for non-accredited schools in Atlantic Highlands NJ. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to check out the reputations of all colleges you are considering. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can research online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even talk to several Atlantic Highlands NJ area clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and see if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the New Jersey school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Ample Training Included? To begin with, check with the New Jersey regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Atlantic Highlands NJ phlebotomist program that you are looking at should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums might indicate that the program is not expansive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Ask the New Jersey programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with local medical facilities. They are the ideal means to receive hands-on practical training frequently not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Atlantic Highlands NJ healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support 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 offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a higher rate, meaning they place most 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 Atlantic Highlands NJ healthcare community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? Finally, it’s critical to make sure that the ultimate school you pick provides classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is particularly true if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Atlantic Highlands NJ, make certain they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option also. And if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is should you have to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's advantageous to reflect on questions you may be asked. Among the questions that hiring managers typically ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What made you pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not only the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomist, but additionally what characteristics and skills you have that make you exceptional at your profession. You will probably be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of standard interview questions, so you must prepare some strategies about how you want to respond to them. Because there are several factors that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this primary question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the work appeals to you along with the strengths you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the perfiect choice for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but take down some ideas and talking points that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can help you to formulate your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to impress the recruiter.

Select the Right Phlebotomy Program near Atlantic Highlands NJ

Making sure that you pick the most suitable phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding health care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be available in a variety of academic institutions, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive range of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Course offerings can differ slightly from state to state as every state has its own prerequisites when it pertains to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must carefully research and compare each program prior to making your final selection. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the ideal college for you. And with the proper education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Atlantic Highlands NJ.

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