Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Rumson New Jersey

Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomy training near Rumson NJ is an important first step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting undertaking to evaluate and compare all of the training alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a superior education. In fact, a large number of potential students begin their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another option you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online classes later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and should be part of your decision process as well. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you select 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 Tech Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their primary duty, there is in fact much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the tools being utilized are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork needs to be properly filled out in order 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 can be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Rumson NJ phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are responsible for making certain that samples are analyzed correctly utilizing the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they may be asked to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The simplest response is wherever they treat patients. Their workplaces are numerous and diverse, including Rumson NJ hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a certain type of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Training, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily two types of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Rumson NJ, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to finish and provides a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they normally require 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program provide a more expansive background in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will probably want to become certified. Although not mandated in most states, a number of employers look for certification prior to employing 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 require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, including California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a quality education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Colleges

To begin with, let’s dispel one likely misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant component of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Rumson 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. But since the non-practical part of the training may be attended online, it could be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, a number of online programs are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some expenditures, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomist school 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 premium education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the best option for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Now that you have a basic understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already selected the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the New Jersey college is relevant in addition to the cost of tuition. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist school. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for selecting a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you should ask about each of the Rumson NJ colleges you are reviewing prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to New Jersey? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states require certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for New Jersey or the state where you will be working and prepares you for any examinations you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you choose should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited program aside from an assurance of a premium education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are often not available for non-accredited programs in Rumson NJ. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable 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 phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of all colleges 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 assistance program. You can screen online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even talk to some Rumson NJ local clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and find out if they can offer 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 working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Rumson NJ phlebotomy 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 expansive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internships Provided? Ask the New Jersey programs you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional health care facilities. They are the ideal means to get hands-on practical training often not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Rumson NJ medical community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Offered? Landing your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Ask if the schools you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Rumson NJ medical community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s crucial to make sure that the ultimate college you select provides classes at times that are compatible with your active schedule. This is particularly true if you choose to still work while attending college. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Rumson NJ, make sure they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option also. Even 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 protocol is in case you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's advantageous to reflect on questions you may be asked. Among the things that interviewers typically ask Phlebotomist applicants is "What compelled you to choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not just the private reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what qualities and talents you have that make you exceptional at your profession. You will probably be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of routine interview questions, so you must ready a number of approaches about how you want to address them. Because there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession interests you along with the talents you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the perfiect candidate for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but jot down several concepts and anecdotes that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample responses can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.

Enroll in the Ideal Phlebotomist Course near Rumson NJ

Making sure that you enroll in the most suitable phlebotomist 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 superior school. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be available in a number of educational institutions, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program offerings can differ somewhat across the country as each state has its own requirements when it pertains to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must carefully screen and compare each college before making your final decision. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the best school for you. And with the proper education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Rumson NJ.

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