Picking a Phlebotomist Training Program near Haledon New Jersey

Enrolling in the right phlebotomist school near Haledon NJ is a critical initial step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting undertaking to assess and compare each of the school options that are available to you. However it’s important that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you obtain a quality education. In fact, a large number of potential students start the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another option you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors 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 supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you select the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomy Technician Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their main function, there is actually so much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the instruments being employed are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork needs to be properly filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening 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 infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many Haledon NJ phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are accountable for ensuring that samples are analyzed properly under the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they may be required to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The easiest response is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are many and varied, such as Haledon NJ hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be charged to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing blood from a certain kind of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be drawing blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns 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 Training, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily two types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Haledon NJ, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to complete and provides a general education along with 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, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they usually take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program furnish a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. Although not required in the majority of states, a number of employers look for certification before employing technicians. A few 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 some states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, like California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a superior education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Certificates and Degrees

To begin with, let’s dispel one potential mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A good part of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Haledon NJ healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-clinical component of the training can be attended online, it may be a more practical alternative for some students. As an added benefit, a number of online colleges are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some expenses, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered also. Just verify that the online phlebotomy college you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a premium education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online might be the right choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Now that you have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already decided on the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the New Jersey college is important as well as the tuition expense. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomist online school. Each of these decisions are an important component of the process for selecting a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Following are a few questions that you need to ask about all of the Haledon NJ programs you are looking at prior to making your ultimate decision.

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

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you select should be accredited by a respected 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 school in addition to an assurance of a premium education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited programs in Haledon NJ. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist 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 schools you are considering. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also check with several Haledon NJ local clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and find out if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the New Jersey school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Ample Training Provided? First, check with the New Jersey regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Haledon NJ phlebotomist program that you are considering should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Find out from the New Jersey colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with local healthcare facilities. They are the optimal way to receive hands-on practical training typically not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Haledon NJ medical community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Finding your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the programs you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Haledon NJ medical community.

Are Class Times Available as Needed? Finally, it’s crucial to verify that the final college you select provides classes at times that are compatible with your hectic lifestyle. This is especially important if you choose to continue working while going to school. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near Haledon NJ, make sure they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option also. Even if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is in case you have to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's important to review questions you might be asked. One of the things that interviewers often ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What compelled you to choose Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not only the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what attributes and abilities you have that make you good at your profession. You will probably be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of general interview questions, so you must ready a number of ideas about how you want to answer them. Because there are several variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession interests you in addition to the abilities you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the ideal candidate for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but write down some concepts and topics that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can help you to develop your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.

Select the Best Phlebotomist Course near Haledon NJ

Making sure that you enroll in the most suitable phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be available in a variety of educational institutes, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide range of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Program options may differ slightly from state to state as every state has its own requirements when it concerns phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must diligently evaluate and compare each college before making your final decision. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the right program for you. And with the proper training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Haledon NJ.

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