Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician Course near Hoboken New Jersey

Selecting the right phlebotomy technician school near Hoboken NJ is an essential first 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 accessible to you. However it’s important that you perform your due diligence to make sure that you receive a quality education. In fact, a large number of potential students start their search by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional option you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review more about online classes later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and must be part of your decision process as well. 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 select the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomist Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their main responsibility, there is in fact much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the instruments being utilized are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork has to 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 may be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some Hoboken NJ phlebotomists actually work in labs and are in charge of making certain that samples are tested properly utilizing the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they might be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The simplest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are numerous and diverse, including Hoboken NJ hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be charged to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a particular kind of patient. For example, 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 collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially two kinds of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Hoboken NJ, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to complete and offers a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they typically take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program furnish a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not required in the majority of states, many employers look for certification before hiring technicians. Some 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 some states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, including Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a quality education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Certificates and Degrees

To start with, let’s resolve one potential misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant component of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Hoboken NJ healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-practical portion of the training can be attended online, it may be a more practical alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, many online colleges are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenses, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist program you choose 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 quality education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the ideal choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Now that you have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already decided on the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the New Jersey school is relevant as well as the cost of tuition. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomist online school. Each of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for picking a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you should ask about all of the Hoboken NJ schools you are looking at prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As previously mentioned, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for New Jersey or the state where you will be working and preps you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited program aside from a guarantee of a superior education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited programs in Hoboken NJ. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to check the reputations of any colleges you are reviewing. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can research online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even talk to a few Hoboken NJ area clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and find out if they can offer any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the New Jersey school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? To begin with, contact 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 Hoboken NJ phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums might signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Find out from the New Jersey schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with area medical facilities. They are the optimal way to receive hands-on practical training frequently not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Hoboken NJ medical community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Offered? Landing your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation together with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Hoboken NJ health care community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s crucial to confirm that the final school you select offers classes at times that will accommodate your busy schedule. This is especially important if you decide to still work while going to college. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Hoboken NJ, check that they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option also. Even if you have decided to attend 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 should you have to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's helpful to consider questions you might be asked. Among the things that hiring managers typically ask Phlebotomy Tech candidates is "What compelled you to select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not merely the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what qualities and abilities you have that make you outstanding at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of typical interview questions, so you must prepare a number of strategies about how you would like to address them. Considering there are numerous variables that go into selecting a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the work appeals to you in addition to the abilities you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomist and the perfiect choice for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but jot down a few concepts and talking points that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can assist you to formulate your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to enthuse the recruiter.

Enroll in the Right Phlebotomist College near Hoboken NJ

Making certain that you select the ideal phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care field. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be available in a number of educational institutes, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide array of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Course options may differ slightly from state to state as every state has its own prerequisites when it comes to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to carefully research and compare each program prior to making your ultimate decision. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the ideal college for you. And with the proper education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Hoboken NJ.

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