Choosing a Phlebotomy School near Bloomsbury New Jersey

Picking the right phlebotomy training near Bloomsbury NJ is a critical first step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult undertaking to evaluate and compare all of the school options that are available to you. However it’s important that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you get a superior education. In reality, many students start their search by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another factor you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your decision process as well. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you choose the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomist Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their main function, there is actually far more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample has to be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork must be properly completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory 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 pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Bloomsbury NJ phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are accountable for making certain that samples are analyzed correctly using the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they might be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The easiest response is wherever there are patients. Their work places are many and diverse, including Bloomsbury NJ medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a certain type of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily two kinds of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Bloomsbury NJ, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to finish and offers a general education along 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, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they normally require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program furnish a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will probably want to be certified. While not mandated in most states, most employers require certification before employing technicians. A few of the primary 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 prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, including Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a superior education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Colleges

To start with, let’s dispel one potential misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant portion of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Bloomsbury 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 in order to graduate. However since the non-practical portion of the training may be attended online, it can be a more practical alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, a number of online programs are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some expenditures, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced also. Just verify that the online phlebotomist college you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the ideal option for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Now that you have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, 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 mentioned earlier, the location of the New Jersey school is significant as well as the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy college. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the process for picking a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you should ask about each of the Bloomsbury NJ schools you are reviewing before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for New Jersey or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you choose should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited program aside from a guarantee of a quality education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are often unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Bloomsbury NJ. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to check out the reputations of any colleges you are considering. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even contact several Bloomsbury NJ local clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the New Jersey school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Provided? First, check with the New Jersey regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Bloomsbury NJ phlebotomy program that you are looking at should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums might indicate that the program is not expansive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask the New Jersey programs you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with area medical facilities. They are the optimal way to receive hands-on practical training often not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Bloomsbury NJ health care community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Finding your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the Bloomsbury NJ healthcare community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s critical to verify that the ultimate program you select offers classes at times that will accommodate your hectic lifestyle. This is particularly true if you choose to continue working while attending school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Bloomsbury NJ, make certain they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option also. Even 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 as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's advantageous to reflect on questions you could be asked. Among the things that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomy Tech prospects is "What drove you to pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not only the private reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but also what attributes and abilities you possess that make you good at what you do. You will probably be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of typical interview questions, so you must prepare a number of strategies about how you would like to respond to them. Given that there are several variables that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the talents you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Tech and the leading candidate for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but jot down several concepts and anecdotes that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample responses can assist you to develop your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to wow the interviewer.

Choose the Best Phlebotomy School near Bloomsbury NJ

Making certain that you choose the most suitable phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying health care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomist training programs are available in a wide range of academic institutions, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide range of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program options may differ a bit across the country as each state has its own requirements when it pertains to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to diligently screen and compare each program before making your final decision. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the ideal program for you. And with the appropriate training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Bloomsbury NJ.

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