Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Clayton New Jersey

Picking the right phlebotomy technician training near Clayton NJ is a critical first step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging undertaking to analyze and compare each of the training options that are available to you. However it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a quality education. In fact, many prospective students start the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another factor you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll review more about online classes later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and need to be part of your decision process too. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you select the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their main function, there is actually so much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to confirm that the instruments being utilized are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample has to be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork needs to be properly filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers 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. A number of Clayton NJ phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are in charge of ensuring that samples are tested correctly utilizing the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they might be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The simplest answer is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are numerous and diverse, including Clayton NJ hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a specific kind of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily 2 kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Clayton NJ, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to complete and offers a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest means 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 to become a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they usually require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program furnish a more expansive background in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will probably want to be certified. While not required in the majority of states, most employers require certification prior to hiring technicians. Some of the key 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 phlebotomy tech, like Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a superior education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Training

First, let’s resolve one potential misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant component of the course of study will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Clayton NJ healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-practical portion of the training can be accessed online, it could be a more convenient alternative for many students. As an added benefit, some online colleges are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some costs, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened also. Just verify that the online phlebotomist school you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a superior education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online might be the ideal option for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Now that you have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already decided on the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the New Jersey campus is relevant in addition to the tuition expense. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist school. Each of these decisions are an important part of the process for choosing a program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you should ask about each of the Clayton NJ programs you are reviewing prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to New Jersey? As mentioned previously, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed before working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing 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 readies 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 reputable regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited school in addition to a guarantee of a premium education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited schools in Clayton NJ. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check out the reputations of all schools you are reviewing. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even check with some Clayton NJ area hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and find out if they can provide any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the New Jersey school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Ample Training Provided? First, 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 amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Clayton NJ phlebotomy program that you are looking at should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internships Provided? Ask the New Jersey programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with area healthcare facilities. They are the ideal way to receive hands-on practical training frequently not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local Clayton NJ health care community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Offered? Landing your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Clayton NJ healthcare community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s important to confirm that the final program you select provides classes at times that will accommodate your hectic lifestyle. This is especially important if you opt to still work while going to college. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Clayton NJ, make sure they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, 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 completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is in case you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you could be asked. One of the questions that interviewers frequently ask Phlebotomy Technician prospects is "What compelled you to decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not only the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomist, but additionally what qualities and talents you have that make you good at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of typical interview questions, so you should prepare a number of strategies about how you would like to answer them. Given that there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the abilities you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Tech and the leading choice for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but take down some ideas and anecdotes that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can assist you to prepare your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.

Select the Best Phlebotomist School near Clayton NJ

Making sure that you choose the ideal phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be found in a variety of academic institutions, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Program options can differ a bit across the country as every state has its own criteria when it pertains to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to diligently evaluate and compare each school before making your ultimate selection. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the ideal college for you. And with the appropriate training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Clayton NJ.

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