Selecting a Phlebotomist Course near Ridgefield Park New Jersey

Choosing the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Ridgefield Park NJ is a critical first step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting undertaking to evaluate and compare all of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. However it’s important that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you get a superior education. In reality, a large number of potential students start their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another factor you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll review a bit more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and must be part of your decision process too. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you pick the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomist Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their main duty, there is in fact far more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the instruments being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork must be accurately filled out to be able 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 screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Ridgefield Park NJ phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are responsible for making sure that samples are tested correctly using the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they can be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The easiest response is wherever there are patients. Their work places are many and varied, including Ridgefield Park NJ medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a specific kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be collecting blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients every day.

Phlebotomist Training, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily 2 kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Ridgefield Park NJ, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to complete and furnishes a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they usually require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program offer a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. Although not mandated in most states, most employers require certification before employing technicians. A few of the principal certifying agencies include:

• National Phlebotomy Association
• National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
• American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
• American Medical Technologists (AMT)

There are several states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, such as Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a superior education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Certificates and Degrees

To begin with, let’s dispel one potential mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial part of the course of study will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Ridgefield Park 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 in order to graduate. But since the non-clinical portion of the training can be accessed online, it could be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an added benefit, a number of online schools are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened also. Just verify that the online phlebotomist program you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the best choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Since you now have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, 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 degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the New Jersey school is important as well as the cost of tuition. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomy online college. All of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for choosing a program or school. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you should ask about each of the Ridgefield Park NJ colleges you are considering prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for New Jersey or the state where you will be working and prepares you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you pick should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a superior education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited programs in Ridgefield Park NJ. Finally, 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 numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate the reputations of any schools you are considering. You can begin 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 rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even check with some Ridgefield Park NJ local clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and see if they can offer any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the New Jersey school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed 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 practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Ridgefield Park NJ phlebotomy program that you are considering 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 indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internships Provided? Find out from the New Jersey programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with area medical facilities. They are the optimal means to get hands-on clinical training typically not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Ridgefield Park NJ medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Offered? Finding your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Ask if the schools you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a higher rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Ridgefield Park NJ medical community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s crucial to make sure that the final school you select provides classes at times that are compatible with your hectic schedule. This is especially important if you decide to still work while attending college. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Ridgefield Park NJ, make sure they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make certain 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 because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomist?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you may be asked. Among the questions that hiring managers frequently ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What made you select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not only the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what characteristics and skills you have that make you good at your profession. You will probably be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of routine interview questions, so you must organize several approaches about how you want to respond to them. Given that there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the work appeals to you along with the strengths you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomist and the best candidate for the job. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but jot down some ideas and talking points that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Going over sample answers can assist you to prepare your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to impress the recruiter.

Choose the Right Phlebotomist College near Ridgefield Park NJ

Making certain that you pick the most suitable phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a superior college. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be offered in a number of academic institutes, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program options may vary slightly across the country as every state has its own prerequisites when it pertains to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must carefully research and compare each college before 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 pick the best program for you. And with the appropriate training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Ridgefield Park NJ.

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