Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician Course near Bloomfield New Jersey

Choosing the ideal phlebotomist school near Bloomfield NJ is an important first step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting undertaking to analyze and compare all of the school options that are available to you. However it’s vital that you perform your due diligence to make sure that you get a superior education. In reality, most potential students start their search by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another option you might 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 much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and need to be part of your decision process as well. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you pick the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomy Tech Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their principal duty, there is actually so much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to confirm that the instruments being used are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be properly completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory screening process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some Bloomfield NJ phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are in charge of making sure that samples are analyzed correctly using the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they can be asked to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The most basic response is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are many and varied, such as Bloomfield NJ medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a certain type of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Training, Certification and Licensing

There are basically two kinds of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Bloomfield NJ, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to complete and furnishes a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they usually take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program provide a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will probably want to get certified. While not mandated in most states, a number of employers require certification before employing technicians. A few of the primary 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 in order to practice as a phlebotomist, such as California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a quality education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Schools

First, let’s dispel one potential misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A good portion of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Bloomfield NJ healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-practical portion of the training may be accessed online, it may be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an added benefit, a number of online programs are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some costs, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a superior education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the ideal option for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Since you now have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already selected the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the New Jersey school is significant in addition to the tuition expense. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy college. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for picking a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Following are several questions that you need to ask about each of the Bloomfield NJ programs you are reviewing before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed before working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for New Jersey or the state where you will be working and preps you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you pick should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a quality education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools in Bloomfield NJ. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of all colleges you are looking at. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also check with a few Bloomfield NJ area clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and find out if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the New Jersey school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? To begin with, contact 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 clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Bloomfield NJ phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask the New Jersey schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with area health care facilities. They are the ideal way to receive hands-on practical training typically not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Bloomfield NJ healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Getting your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Bloomfield NJ health care community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to make sure that the final program you pick provides classes at times that are compatible with your busy schedule. This is especially important if you opt to still work while attending school. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near Bloomfield NJ, check that they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option also. Even if you have decided to attend 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 need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you may be asked. Among the things that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomy Tech candidates is "What made you pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not merely the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but also what attributes and skills you have that make you outstanding at your profession. You will likely be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of standard interview questions, so you need to prepare several ideas about how you want to answer them. Because there are numerous factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the work appeals to you as well as the talents you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the perfiect candidate for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but jot down a few ideas and talking points that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Going over sample responses can assist you to formulate your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to include to enthuse the recruiter.

Select the Ideal Phlebotomy Course near Bloomfield NJ

Making sure that you enroll in the most suitable phlebotomy training is a critical 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 available in a variety of educational institutes, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Course offerings can differ slightly from state to state as every state has its own requirements when it pertains to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must diligently evaluate and compare each college before making your ultimate decision. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the best college for you. And with the proper education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Bloomfield NJ.

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