Selecting a Phlebotomist School near Pompton Lakes New Jersey

Enrolling in the right phlebotomist training near Pompton Lakes NJ is an essential initial step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting task to assess and compare each of the training options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you do your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a quality education. In reality, a large number of prospective students start their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Another option you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll review more about online schools later in this article. What’s important 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 reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and must be part of your decision process as well. To assist in that effort, we will furnish 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 continue our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomy Technician Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their main task, there is in fact far more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the instruments being utilized are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork must be accurately completed to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening process. The phlebotomist then transports 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. Some Pompton Lakes NJ phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are accountable for ensuring that samples are tested correctly using the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they can be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The simplest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are many and varied, including Pompton Lakes NJ medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, based 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 drawing blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from new patients every day.

Phlebotomy Training, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially 2 kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Pompton Lakes NJ, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to finish and offers a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they typically take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program furnish a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, many employers require certification prior to hiring technicians. Some of the primary 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 phlebotomy tech, such as California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a premium education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Training

To start with, let’s dispel one potential mistaken belief. 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 performed either in an approved Pompton Lakes 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 in order to graduate. However since the non-practical part of the training may be accessed online, it can be a more practical option for many students. As an added benefit, some online programs are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some costs, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist program you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a superior education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the right option for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Since you now have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already selected the kind 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 school is significant as well as the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online program. All of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for selecting a program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Following are several questions that you should ask about each of the Pompton Lakes NJ schools you are looking at prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for New Jersey or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you select should be accredited by a recognized national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited school in addition to a guarantee of a premium education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited programs in Pompton Lakes NJ. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to investigate the reputations of any 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 research online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even talk to some Pompton Lakes NJ area hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and ask if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the New Jersey school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Provided? To begin with, contact 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 clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Pompton Lakes NJ phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internships Provided? Ask the New Jersey colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with local healthcare facilities. They are the ideal means to obtain hands-on clinical training frequently not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Pompton Lakes NJ medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Getting your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Pompton Lakes NJ healthcare community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s important to confirm that the final school you choose offers classes at times that will accommodate your active lifestyle. This is especially true if you opt to continue working while going to college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Pompton Lakes NJ, make certain they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option also. And if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is should you need to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's important to review questions you may be asked. One of the questions that interviewers typically ask Phlebotomist prospects is "What drove you to decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not merely the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what characteristics and skills you have that make you good at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of general interview questions, so you must prepare some ideas about how you would like to address them. Because there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you in addition to the strengths you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Technician and the ideal candidate for the position. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but take down some ideas and talking points that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to enthuse the recruiter.

Enroll in the Right Phlebotomist Program near Pompton Lakes NJ

Making sure that you pick the ideal phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this fulfilling healthcare field. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomist training programs can be available in a variety of academic institutions, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive range of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings may differ slightly from state to state as every state has its own requirements when it concerns phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to carefully screen and compare each program before making your ultimate choice. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the right program for you. And with the appropriate education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Pompton Lakes NJ.

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