Selecting a Phlebotomist Course near Brick New Jersey

Enrolling in the right phlebotomy training near Brick NJ is an essential initial step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting task to evaluate and compare all of the training options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you receive a quality education. In reality, a large number of potential students begin the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Another factor you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your decision process as well. 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 best one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their main responsibility, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the tools being utilized are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork has to be properly filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening process. The phlebotomist then delivers 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. Many Brick NJ phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are responsible for making certain that samples are tested correctly under the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they might be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The quickest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are many and diverse, including Brick NJ medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a specific type of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Licensing and Certification

There are basically two types of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Brick NJ, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to complete and offers a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they typically take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program offer a more expansive background in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. Although not mandated in most states, a number of employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. A few of the main certifying agencies include:

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

There are some states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, including Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a premium education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Training

To begin with, let’s resolve one possible misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant part of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Brick NJ healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-practical portion of the training may be attended online, it may be a more convenient alternative for many students. As an added benefit, many online schools are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some costs, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist program you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a superior education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the best option for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Since you now have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already decided on the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the New Jersey school is important as well as the tuition expense. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy school. 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 should ask about all of the Brick NJ colleges you are reviewing before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states require certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for New Jersey or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you choose should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national accrediting organization, 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 superior education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited programs in Brick NJ. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s important to check the reputations of all schools you are looking at. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job assistance program. You can research online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also contact several Brick NJ area clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and ask if they can offer any insights. As a closing thought, you can check with the New Jersey school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Adequate Training Provided? First, check with the New Jersey regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Brick NJ phlebotomy program that you are looking at should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums might indicate that the program is not expansive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask the New Jersey schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional healthcare facilities. They are the optimal way to obtain hands-on clinical training typically not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Brick NJ health care community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Landing your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the programs you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Brick NJ health care community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to make sure that the final school you select offers classes at times that will accommodate your busy schedule. This is especially important if you decide to still work while attending school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Brick NJ, make sure they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure 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 need to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Become a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's important to review questions you could be asked. One of the questions that interviewers frequently ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What made you select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not only the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what qualities and abilities you have that make you good at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of general interview questions, so you must ready some ideas about how you would like to address them. Because there are numerous factors that go into selecting a career, you can answer this primary question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the profession appeals to you as well as the strengths you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the leading candidate for the job. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but take down a few ideas and talking points that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.

Select the Best Phlebotomist School near Brick NJ

Making sure that you enroll in the most suitable phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding healthcare field. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomist training programs are offered in a wide range of educational institutions, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive assortment of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Course options may differ a bit across the country as every state has its own mandates when it pertains to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to thoroughly evaluate and compare each program prior to making your ultimate choice. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the right program for you. And with the appropriate education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Brick NJ.

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