Picking a Phlebotomist Training Program near Maple Shade New Jersey

Enrolling in the right phlebotomist school near Maple Shade NJ is a critical initial step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging undertaking to analyze and compare each of the school options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you complete your due diligence to make certain that you obtain a quality education. In fact, many students begin the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another factor you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll review a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is much 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 selection process too. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you pick the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomy Tech Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their main function, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the tools being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork has to be correctly completed to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory testing procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many Maple Shade NJ phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are responsible for making certain that samples are analyzed properly under the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they may be asked to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The simplest response is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are many and varied, such as Maple Shade NJ hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a certain kind of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are practicing 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 drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Training, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially two types of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Maple Shade NJ, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to finish and furnishes a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they typically require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program offer a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. While not required in the majority of states, a number of employers require certification prior to hiring technicians. Some 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 a few states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, including California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a superior education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Classes

First, let’s dispel one possible misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial part of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Maple Shade NJ healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-practical component of the training may be attended online, it could be a more convenient option for some students. As an added benefit, many online classes are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenditures, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomist program you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a quality education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the best option for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Since you now 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 important in addition to the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy program. All of these decisions are an important component of the process for picking a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Following are a few questions that you need to ask about each of the Maple Shade NJ schools you are looking at before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed before working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for New Jersey or the state where you will be working and readies you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you enroll in should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a quality education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for 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 schools in Maple Shade NJ. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the School’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 in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of all colleges you are considering. 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 internet school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even check with several Maple Shade NJ area hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and see if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the New Jersey school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Adequate Training Included? First, contact the New Jersey regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Maple Shade NJ phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask the New Jersey programs you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional healthcare facilities. They are the ideal means to obtain hands-on practical training typically not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Maple Shade NJ medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Available? Finding your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school 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 a substantial network of professional contacts within the Maple Shade NJ healthcare community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s important to confirm that the ultimate program you choose offers classes at times that are compatible with your busy schedule. This is particularly true if you opt to still work while attending school. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Maple Shade NJ, make certain they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option as well. Even 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 procedure is should you have to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's a good idea to review questions you might be asked. Among the questions that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What compelled you to select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not just the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but also what attributes and skills you have that make you good at your profession. You will probably be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of standard interview questions, so you should organize a number of strategies about how you want to respond to them. Given that there are numerous factors that go into selecting a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession appeals to you in addition to the strengths you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the leading candidate for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but write down several concepts and anecdotes that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can assist you to develop your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.

Choose the Right Phlebotomist School near Maple Shade NJ

Making sure that you enroll in the most suitable phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling healthcare field. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomist training programs can be found in a wide range of educational institutions, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive range of courses in medical care and health sciences. Program options may vary somewhat across the country as every state has its own requirements when it concerns phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to thoroughly research and compare each college before making your ultimate choice. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the right school for you. And with the appropriate training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Maple Shade NJ.

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