Choosing a Phlebotomy Course near Jackson New Jersey

Choosing the ideal phlebotomy technician training near Jackson NJ is an essential first step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging undertaking to investigate and compare each of the training options that are accessible to you. However it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you get a superior education. In reality, 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 classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll review more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and need to be part of your decision process too. To assist in that effort, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you choose the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomy Technician Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their principal duty, there is in fact far more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the instruments being used are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork has to be accurately completed in order 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 screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Jackson NJ phlebotomists actually work in labs and are responsible for making sure that samples are analyzed correctly using the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they may be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The simplest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their workplaces are numerous and diverse, such as Jackson NJ medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be charged to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a specific type of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Education, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily 2 kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Jackson NJ, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to complete and offers a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate 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 become certified. While not required in most states, most employers require certification prior to hiring technicians. A few of the main certifying organizations include:

• National Phlebotomy Association
• National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
• American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
• American Medical Technologists (AMT)

There are several states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, such as Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a superior education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Certificates and Degrees

First, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial component of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Jackson NJ healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-clinical component of the training may be attended online, it may be a more convenient option for many students. As an added benefit, a number of online colleges are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenses, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered also. Just verify that the online phlebotomy college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a superior education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the ideal choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Now that you have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already selected the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the New Jersey school is relevant in addition to the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy school. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the process for picking a program or school. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you need to ask about each of the Jackson NJ programs you are reviewing before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations 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 may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomist program that satisfies the state specific requirements for New Jersey or the state where you will be working and readies you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you pick should be accredited by a respected 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 program aside from a guarantee of a quality education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited programs in Jackson NJ. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to check out the reputations of all schools you are reviewing. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can research online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even contact a few Jackson NJ area clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and find out if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the New Jersey school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Included? To begin with, contact the New Jersey regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Jackson NJ phlebotomy program that you are looking at should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internships Included? Ask the New Jersey schools you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with area medical facilities. They are the ideal way to get hands-on clinical training often not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Jackson NJ medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Finding your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Jackson NJ healthcare community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to make sure that the final college you choose provides classes at times that will accommodate your busy lifestyle. This is particularly true if you opt to still work while attending school. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near Jackson NJ, check that they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option as well. And if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is should you need to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomist?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you may be asked. One of the things that recruiters often ask Phlebotomist applicants is "What drove you to pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not merely the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what qualities and skills you possess that make you outstanding at your profession. You will likely be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of general interview questions, so you must prepare a number of approaches 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 number of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the abilities you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the leading choice for the job. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but jot down several concepts and talking points that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample responses can assist you to develop your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.

Choose the Best Phlebotomist College near Jackson NJ

Making certain that you choose the right phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding health care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be available in a wide range of academic institutes, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Course options may vary a bit from state to state as each state has its own prerequisites when it pertains to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must carefully evaluate and compare each college before making your ultimate decision. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the ideal college for you. And with the proper education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Jackson NJ.

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