Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician School near East Hanover New Jersey

Choosing the ideal phlebotomy technician training near East Hanover NJ is a critical initial step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging task to analyze and compare all of the training options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you receive a superior education. In reality, a large number of potential students begin their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Another factor you may look into 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 checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and need to be part of your selection process as well. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you select the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomist Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their principal responsibility, there is actually far more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the tools being used are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork needs to be accurately filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory testing process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many East Hanover NJ phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are responsible for ensuring that samples are tested properly utilizing the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they might be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The most basic answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are many and varied, such as East Hanover NJ medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a specific type of patient. For instance, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Certification and Licensing

There are basically two types of programs that provide phlebotomist training in East Hanover NJ, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to complete and furnishes a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they normally take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program furnish a more extensive background in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. Although not mandated 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 a few states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, such as Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a superior education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Classes

First, let’s resolve one likely mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial portion of the course of study will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved East Hanover 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 prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical portion of the training may be accessed online, it might be a more practical alternative for some students. As an added benefit, many online colleges are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some expenses, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a superior education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online may be the ideal choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Now that you have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the type 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 phlebotomist college. All of these decisions are a critical component of the process for selecting a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you need to ask about each of the East Hanover NJ programs you are considering prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomist program that satisfies the state specific requirements for New Jersey or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a superior 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 earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited programs in East Hanover NJ. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check out the reputations of any colleges you are looking at. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even check with some East Hanover NJ area hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and see if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with the New Jersey school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Provided? First, 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 amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any East Hanover NJ phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Find out from the New Jersey schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with regional medical facilities. They are the ideal way to get hands-on clinical training often not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local East Hanover NJ medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Finding your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the programs you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the East Hanover NJ medical community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to confirm that the ultimate school you pick offers classes at times that are compatible with your hectic schedule. This is especially true if you opt to continue working while going to college. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near East Hanover NJ, make certain they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option as well. 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 procedure is in case you need to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomist?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's important to review questions you could be asked. Among the things that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomist prospects is "What compelled you to choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not just the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what attributes and skills you have that make you good at what you do. You will probably be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of general interview questions, so you should prepare a number of strategies about how you want to address them. Given that there are numerous variables that go into selecting a career, you can answer this primary question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you in addition to the talents you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the best choice for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but jot down a few concepts and topics that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Going over sample responses can help you to develop your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to impress the recruiter.

Choose the Best Phlebotomist Course near East Hanover NJ

Making certain that you choose the most suitable phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding health care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior school. Phlebotomist training programs can be offered in a number of educational institutes, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide array of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Course offerings may differ slightly across the country as each state has its own requirements when it pertains to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must diligently research and compare each school prior to making your final selection. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the ideal college for you. And with the appropriate training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in East Hanover NJ.

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