Choosing a Phlebotomy Course near Hackensack New Jersey

Enrolling in the right phlebotomy training near Hackensack NJ is an essential initial step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting undertaking to evaluate and compare each of the school options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you do your due diligence to make certain that you receive a superior education. In fact, most students start their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another factor you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review a bit more about online classes later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and should be part of your decision process also. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you choose the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomy Technician Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their main task, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the tools being utilized are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork needs to be correctly completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening procedure. 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 Hackensack NJ phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are in charge of ensuring that samples are analyzed properly utilizing the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they may be asked to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The quickest answer is wherever there are patients. Their work places are numerous and diverse, including Hackensack NJ hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a certain type of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility 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. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from new patients every day.

Phlebotomy Training, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially two kinds of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Hackensack NJ, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to complete and provides a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they typically require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program provide a more expansive background in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will probably want to get certified. While not required in the majority of states, many employers require certification prior to hiring 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 a few states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, including California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a superior education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Training

First, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A good part of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Hackensack 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 could be a more convenient alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, many online colleges are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenses, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced also. Just verify that the online phlebotomy program 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 receive a quality education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the ideal option for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Now that you have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to start 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 relevant in addition to the tuition expense. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist program. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for picking a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you should ask about all of the Hackensack NJ colleges you are looking at prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for New Jersey or the state where you will be working and preps you for any examinations you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you choose 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 several benefits to graduating from an accredited school 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 exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited schools in Hackensack NJ. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of all schools you are looking at. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even check with a few Hackensack NJ area hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and see if they can provide 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 full 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 length of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Hackensack NJ phlebotomy program that you are looking at should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Find out from the New Jersey schools you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with local healthcare facilities. They are the optimal means to get hands-on practical training often not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Hackensack NJ medical community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Getting your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Hackensack NJ healthcare community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s important to confirm that the ultimate school you pick offers classes at times that are compatible with your hectic schedule. This is especially important if you decide to continue working while attending college. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Hackensack NJ, check that they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option also. And if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is should you have to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's a good idea to consider questions you may be asked. One of the questions that hiring managers frequently ask Phlebotomy Tech prospects is "What drove you to select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not merely the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but also what attributes and abilities you have that make you exceptional at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of typical interview questions, so you need to prepare several approaches about how you want to answer them. Considering there are numerous factors that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this primary question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work appeals to you in addition to the strengths you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the best candidate for the job. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but take down several ideas and talking points that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Reading through sample responses can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.

Select the Right Phlebotomist Course near Hackensack NJ

Making certain that you enroll in the ideal phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling healthcare field. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be offered in a variety of academic institutes, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide assortment of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program offerings can differ a bit across the country as every state has its own mandates when it pertains to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to diligently evaluate and compare each school prior to making your ultimate selection. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the right college for you. And with the appropriate training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Hackensack NJ.

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