Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician Course near Keasbey New Jersey

Picking the right phlebotomy technician school near Keasbey NJ is an essential initial step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult undertaking to analyze and compare all of the school options that are available to you. However it’s important that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you receive a superior education. In fact, a large number of potential students begin their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional factor you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll talk more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and need to be part of your decision process also. To assist in that effort, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you pick the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomist Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their principal task, there is actually so much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the tools being employed are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample must be properly 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 lab screening process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many Keasbey NJ phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are responsible for ensuring that samples are tested properly under the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they may be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The easiest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their workplaces are numerous and varied, including Keasbey NJ hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a specific kind of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Training, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily two kinds of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Keasbey NJ, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to finish and offers a basic education together 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 incorporate training to become a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they usually take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program provide a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. Although not required in most states, many employers look for certification before employing technicians. Some of the principal certifying organizations include:

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

There are some states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, including Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a quality education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Classes

To start with, let’s resolve one possible misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A good portion of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Keasbey 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-clinical portion of the training can be accessed online, it could be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an added benefit, a number of online schools are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some costs, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomist college you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a quality education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the right choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Now that you have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already decided on the type 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 college is relevant as well as the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomist online college. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for choosing a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you need to ask about each of the Keasbey NJ colleges you are considering prior to making your final 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 some others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed before working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very 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 exams you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you pick 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 advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a quality education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are often unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Keasbey NJ. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the Program’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 important to check the reputations of all colleges you are considering. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job assistance program. You can screen internet school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also talk to some Keasbey NJ area clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and see if they can provide any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the New Jersey school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Ample Training Included? First, check with the New Jersey regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Keasbey 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 indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Ask the New Jersey programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with regional healthcare facilities. They are the ideal way to receive hands-on clinical training frequently not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Keasbey NJ healthcare community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Getting your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Keasbey NJ health care community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to make sure that the final school you choose offers classes at times that are compatible with your busy schedule. This is especially important if you decide to continue working while attending school. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Keasbey NJ, make certain they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option also. Even if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is in case you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you may be asked. One of the questions that hiring managers often ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What compelled you to select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not only the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what characteristics and skills you possess that make you good at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of standard interview questions, so you need to organize some ideas about how you would like to answer them. Considering there are several variables that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work appeals to you along with the strengths you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the ideal choice for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but take down some concepts and anecdotes that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Going over sample answers can help you to develop your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.

Select the Ideal Phlebotomist Program near Keasbey NJ

Making certain that you select the ideal phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this rewarding healthcare career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be available in a variety of educational institutes, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide assortment of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings may vary a bit across the country as each state has its own requirements when it pertains to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to carefully screen and compare each school before 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 select the right college for you. And with the appropriate education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Keasbey NJ.

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