Picking a Phlebotomist Training Program near West Orange New Jersey

Choosing the right phlebotomist training near West Orange NJ is an essential initial step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult task to analyze and compare all of the school options that are available to you. However it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to make sure that you get a quality education. In reality, a large number of students begin the process by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Another factor you may consider is whether to attend online classes 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 checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your selection process too. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you choose the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomist Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their principal duty, there is actually much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the instruments being employed are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork must be properly filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory 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. Many West Orange NJ phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are responsible for ensuring that samples are tested properly utilizing the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they might be required to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The simplest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are many and varied, such as West Orange NJ hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a specific kind of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially two types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in West Orange NJ, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to finish and offers a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they usually take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program furnish a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. While not required in the majority of states, most employers require certification before hiring technicians. A few 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 phlebotomy tech, including Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a premium education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Training

To begin with, let’s dispel one potential mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant portion of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved West Orange 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 prior to graduation. But since the non-practical component of the training can be attended online, it can be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an added benefit, a number of online classes are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some expenses, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist college you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a premium education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the right choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Since you now have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already decided on the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the New Jersey college is important as well as the cost of tuition. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist college. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for selecting a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you need to ask about each of the West Orange NJ schools you are reviewing prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for New Jersey or the state where you will be working and prepares you for all exams you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you pick should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a quality education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam administered 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 West Orange NJ. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s important to check the reputations of any colleges you are reviewing. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can research online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even check with some West Orange NJ local clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and see 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 filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Plenty of 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 amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any West Orange NJ phlebotomist program that you are considering should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums might signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internships Provided? Ask the New Jersey schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with regional health care facilities. They are the optimal means to receive hands-on practical training frequently not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local West Orange NJ medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Finding your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the schools you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation together with an extensive network of professional contacts within the West Orange NJ healthcare community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s important to confirm that the final school you choose offers classes at times that are compatible with your busy schedule. This is particularly important if you opt to continue working while going to school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near West Orange NJ, check that 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 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 due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's helpful to reflect on questions you may be asked. Among the things that hiring managers typically ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What made you choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not only the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what attributes and skills you have that make you good at what you do. You will likely be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of typical interview questions, so you must ready several approaches about how you would like to answer them. Since there are several factors that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession interests you along with the abilities you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Technician and the leading candidate for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but write down some concepts and anecdotes that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can help you to prepare your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.

Choose the Ideal Phlebotomist School near West Orange NJ

Making certain that you choose the ideal phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding healthcare field. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are offered in a number of academic institutes, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive assortment of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program offerings can vary somewhat from state to state as each state has its own requirements when it concerns phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must diligently research and compare each school prior to making your ultimate choice. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the best program for you. And with the appropriate education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in West Orange NJ.

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