Selecting a Phlebotomy Course near Pennington New Jersey

Picking the ideal phlebotomist school near Pennington NJ is an important first step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting undertaking to investigate and compare each of the training alternatives that are available to you. However it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to make certain that you get a superior education. In fact, many potential students begin their search by looking at two 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 talk more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and must be part of your selection process too. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you pick the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomy Tech Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their main task, there is actually far more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the instruments being utilized are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be accurately completed to be able 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 can be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some Pennington NJ phlebotomists actually work in labs and are in charge of making sure that samples are tested properly utilizing the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they may be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The most basic response is wherever there are patients. Their work places are numerous and diverse, such as Pennington NJ medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a specific type of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Licensing and Certification

There are basically two types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Pennington NJ, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to finish and furnishes a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they normally require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program offer a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will probably want to be certified. Although not required in the majority of states, a number of employers require certification prior to employing 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 call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, including California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a superior education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Classes

First, let’s resolve one possible mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant portion of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Pennington NJ healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-practical part of the training can be attended online, it may be a more practical option for many students. As an added benefit, many online colleges are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some expenses, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy school you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the right option for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Now that you have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already decided on the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the New Jersey campus is important in addition to the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomist online school. All of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for choosing a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you should ask about each of the Pennington NJ schools you are looking at before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to New Jersey? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for New Jersey or the state where you will be working and preps you for all exams you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you select should be accredited by a reputable 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 school aside from a guarantee of a superior education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited schools in Pennington NJ. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to check the reputations of all schools you are reviewing. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their students as part of their job assistance program. You can research online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also contact a few Pennington NJ local clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and ask if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with the New Jersey school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Enough Training Provided? First, 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 length of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Pennington NJ phlebotomist program that you are looking at should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Ask the New Jersey colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with area health care facilities. They are the ideal means to get hands-on clinical training often not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Pennington NJ health care community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Offered? Landing your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are reviewing offer 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 program has both an excellent reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Pennington NJ medical community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to confirm that the final school you choose offers classes at times that are compatible with your hectic schedule. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while attending college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Pennington NJ, make certain they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option also. And if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is in case you have to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's advantageous to reflect on questions you might be asked. One of the questions that recruiters often ask Phlebotomy Technician prospects is "What made you select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not merely the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but additionally what qualities and abilities you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of general interview questions, so you should organize a number of ideas about how you would like to answer them. Because there are numerous factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession appeals to you as well as the talents you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Technician and the ideal candidate for the job. Don't try to memorize an answer, but take down several ideas and anecdotes that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample responses can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to wow the interviewer.

Enroll in the Right Phlebotomy Program near Pennington NJ

Making sure that you enroll in the most suitable phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are available in a wide range of academic institutions, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive range of programs in medical care and health sciences. Training program offerings may differ slightly across the country as each state has its own requirements when it comes to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must thoroughly screen and compare each program prior to making your final selection. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the ideal program for you. And with the proper education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Pennington NJ.

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