Choosing a Phlebotomy Training Program near Birmingham New Jersey

Choosing the right phlebotomy technician training near Birmingham NJ is a critical first step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting task to assess and compare each of the training alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to make certain that you obtain a superior education. In fact, many students start the process by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Another factor you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and should be part of your selection process also. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you choose the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomy Technician Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their principal responsibility, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must 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 information. Next, paperwork has to be correctly completed 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 infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Birmingham NJ phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are responsible for ensuring that samples are analyzed properly under the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they can be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The quickest response is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are many and varied, including Birmingham 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 babies or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing blood from a certain type of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially 2 kinds of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Birmingham NJ, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to complete and provides a basic 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, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they usually require 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program furnish a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will probably want to be certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, many employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. A few of the main 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 call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, like California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a premium education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Colleges

To start with, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant portion of the course of study will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Birmingham NJ healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical part of the training can be attended online, it may be a more convenient alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, some online schools are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some expenditures, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist program you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a premium education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the ideal option for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Since you now have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the New Jersey campus is significant in addition to the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online college. All of these decisions are a critical component of the process for selecting a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are some questions that you should ask about all of the Birmingham NJ programs you are considering before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to New Jersey? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for New Jersey or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for all exams you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you select should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from a guarantee of a quality education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are typically not available for non-accredited colleges in Birmingham NJ. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of any schools you are reviewing. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen internet school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even contact some Birmingham NJ area clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and find out if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with the New Jersey school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? To begin with, check with 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 clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Birmingham NJ phlebotomist program that you are considering should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Find out from the New Jersey schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with area medical facilities. They are the optimal way to get hands-on practical training often not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Birmingham NJ health care community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Finding your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a higher rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Birmingham NJ healthcare community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s important to make sure that the ultimate program you select offers classes at times that are compatible with your busy schedule. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while attending school. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near Birmingham NJ, make sure they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, verify 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 completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is in case you have to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomist?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's helpful to consider questions you may be asked. One of the questions that recruiters often ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What compelled you to decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not only the private reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what characteristics and abilities you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of routine interview questions, so you must ready a number of strategies about how you would like to address them. Because there are several variables that go into selecting a career, you can answer this primary question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you along with the strengths you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Tech and the ideal choice for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but write down several concepts and talking points that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample responses can assist you to formulate your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.

Select the Right Phlebotomy College near Birmingham NJ

Making certain that you pick the right phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this fulfilling healthcare career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomist training programs can be available in a variety of educational institutes, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive range of courses in medical care and health sciences. Course offerings can vary slightly across the country as each state has its own mandates when it pertains to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to carefully evaluate and compare each school before making your final decision. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the best college for you. And with the proper education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Birmingham NJ.

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