Choosing a Phlebotomy School near Long Branch New Jersey

Selecting the ideal phlebotomy technician training near Long Branch NJ is a critical initial step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting task to investigate and compare each of the school options that are available to you. However it’s important that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a quality education. In reality, many potential students begin their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional factor you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll review more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and should be part of your selection process too. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you need to 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 cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomy Tech Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their primary task, there is actually much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the tools being used are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork must be accurately completed in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many Long Branch NJ phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are responsible for making sure that samples are tested correctly utilizing the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they can be required to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The quickest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are many and diverse, such as Long Branch NJ hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a specific kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially 2 kinds of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Long Branch NJ, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to finish and provides a general education as well as 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, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they typically require 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program provide a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not mandated in most states, a number of employers look for certification before employing technicians. Some of the key certifying agencies 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 prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, including Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a premium education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Classes

To start with, let’s dispel one possible misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial portion of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Long Branch NJ healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-practical part of the training can be accessed online, it can be a more practical alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, some online colleges are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenses, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy program you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a premium education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online might be the right choice for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Now that you have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already picked the type 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 in addition to the tuition expense. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomy online program. All of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for selecting a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you should ask about each of the Long Branch NJ schools you are reviewing prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states require certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that fulfills 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 Program Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you select should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from a guarantee of a superior education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited colleges in Long Branch NJ. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of all schools you are looking at. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also contact some Long Branch NJ area clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and find out 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 total compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Provided? To begin with, check with the New Jersey regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Long Branch NJ phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internships Included? Ask the New Jersey programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with local healthcare facilities. They are the optimal means to obtain hands-on practical training typically not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Long Branch NJ healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Available? Getting your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Long Branch NJ health care community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s critical to verify that the final college you select offers classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is especially true if you choose to continue working while attending school. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Long Branch NJ, make certain they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is should you need to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomist?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's important to reflect on questions you could be asked. Among the things that hiring managers often ask Phlebotomy Tech prospects is "What made you decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not only the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what attributes and skills you possess that make you outstanding at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of routine interview questions, so you need to organize several ideas about how you want to address them. Since there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this primary question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you in addition to the talents you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the perfiect choice for the job. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but write down several ideas and talking points that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can help you to develop your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.

Enroll in the Ideal Phlebotomy Course near Long Branch NJ

Making certain that you enroll in the right phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding health care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be available in a number of academic institutions, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide range of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Course offerings may differ slightly from state to state as each state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to carefully evaluate and compare each program prior to making your ultimate selection. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the ideal program for you. And with the appropriate education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Long Branch NJ.

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