Selecting a Phlebotomist Course near Raritan New Jersey

Enrolling in the right phlebotomist school near Raritan NJ is an essential first step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting task to evaluate and compare all of the training alternatives that are available to you. However it’s vital that you do your due diligence to make sure that you receive a superior education. In fact, most potential students start their search by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional factor you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll talk more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and must be part of your selection process also. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you should 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 cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomy Technician Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their main duty, there is actually far more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the tools being employed are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork must be properly filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory testing procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some Raritan NJ phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are accountable for ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly under the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they can be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The easiest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are numerous and diverse, such as Raritan NJ medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a particular type of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be collecting 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 practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients every day.

Phlebotomist Education, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily 2 types of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Raritan NJ, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to finish and provides a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they usually take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program furnish a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will probably want to get certified. Although not required in the majority of states, a number of employers require certification prior to 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, such as Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a quality education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Classes

First, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A good part of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Raritan 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 component of the training can be attended online, it may be a more practical option for some students. As an additional benefit, some online schools are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some expenditures, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist college you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a quality education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online might be the ideal choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

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 picked the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the New Jersey college is important as well as the tuition expense. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy program. Each of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for selecting a program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you need to ask about all of the Raritan NJ schools you are considering before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for New Jersey or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you pick should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national 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 a guarantee of a superior education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited programs in Raritan NJ. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, 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 schools you are considering. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their students as part of their job placement program. You can research online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also contact a few Raritan NJ local clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and find out if they can provide 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 schools are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Provided? First, contact the New Jersey regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Raritan 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 below these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internships Provided? Find out from the New Jersey colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with local health care facilities. They are the optimal means to obtain hands-on practical training frequently not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Raritan NJ health care community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Getting your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire 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 the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Raritan NJ health care community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s critical to confirm that the final college you pick provides classes at times that are compatible with your active schedule. This is especially important if you decide to still work while attending school. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Raritan NJ, make certain they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option as well. And if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make sure 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 Phlebotomy Tech?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's a good idea to consider questions you may be asked. One of the questions that hiring managers often ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What drove you to decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not only the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what characteristics and talents you have that make you good at what you do. You will likely be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of general interview questions, so you must ready a number of ideas about how you want to address them. Considering there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the work appeals to you in addition to the talents you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the best choice for the position. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but write down some ideas and anecdotes that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Going over sample responses can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.

Enroll in the Ideal Phlebotomy Course near Raritan NJ

Making sure that you select the right phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare field. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomist training programs can be offered in a wide range of educational institutions, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive array of courses in medical care and health sciences. Training program options may vary somewhat from state to state as every state has its own requirements when it concerns phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to diligently research and compare each school prior to making your ultimate decision. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the right college for you. And with the appropriate training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Raritan NJ.

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