Picking a Phlebotomy Course near Rahway New Jersey

Choosing the right phlebotomy technician training near Rahway NJ is an important first step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult task to assess and compare all of the school alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you do your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a quality education. In fact, many prospective students start the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Another factor you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk more about online classes later in this article. What’s important 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 accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and should be part of your selection process too. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you choose the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomy Technician Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their primary duty, there is actually much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to confirm that the instruments being employed are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork must be correctly completed to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory testing process. The phlebotomist then transports 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 Rahway NJ phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are accountable for ensuring that samples are tested correctly under the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they might be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The easiest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are numerous and varied, such as Rahway NJ medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a certain type of patient. For instance, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Licensing and Certification

There are basically 2 types of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Rahway NJ, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to finish and offers a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they normally take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program furnish a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. While not required in the majority of states, a number of employers look for certification before hiring 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 a few states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, like California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a premium education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Classes

First, let’s dispel one likely misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A good component of the course of study will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Rahway NJ healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical component of the training can be accessed online, it might be a more practical alternative for many students. As an added benefit, some online programs are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some costs, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a quality education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online may be the best option for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Since you now have a basic understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already picked the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the New Jersey campus is relevant as well as the tuition expense. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy program. All of these decisions are an important part of the process for choosing a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Following are several questions that you should ask about each of the Rahway NJ programs you are considering prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to New Jersey? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomist program that satisfies the state specific requirements for New Jersey or the state where you will be working and readies you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you pick should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited program aside from an assurance of a quality education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited schools in Rahway NJ. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In many 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 out the reputations of all schools you are looking at. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their students as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also talk to several Rahway NJ area clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and see if they can provide any insights. 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, contact the New Jersey regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Rahway NJ phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask the New Jersey colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with local medical facilities. They are the ideal way to get hands-on practical training frequently not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Rahway NJ healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Landing your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Rahway NJ healthcare community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to make sure that the ultimate school you select provides classes at times that are compatible with your hectic lifestyle. This is especially true if you choose to continue working while going to college. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Rahway NJ, make certain they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option also. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make certain 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 because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's advantageous to review questions you might be asked. One of the questions that hiring managers often ask Phlebotomy Technician prospects is "What made you select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not just the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what characteristics and skills you possess that make you outstanding at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of typical interview questions, so you need to organize some strategies about how you want to answer them. Considering there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the talents you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the ideal candidate for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but jot down several ideas and anecdotes that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can help you to formulate your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.

Select the Ideal Phlebotomy College near Rahway NJ

Making sure that you choose the right phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care field. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be offered in a variety of academic institutes, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive assortment of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Course options may differ somewhat from state to state as each state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must thoroughly evaluate and compare each college prior to making your final choice. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the right college for you. And with the proper training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Rahway NJ.

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