Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Cranbury New Jersey

Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomist training near Cranbury NJ is an essential first step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging task to analyze and compare all of the school alternatives that are available to you. However it’s important that you complete your due diligence to make certain that you get a superior education. In fact, many prospective students start their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Another factor you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review 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 factors such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and should be part of your decision process also. 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 choose the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomist Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their principal duty, there is in fact much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the instruments being utilized are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork has to be correctly filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Cranbury NJ phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are accountable for ensuring that samples are analyzed properly using the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they may be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The quickest response is wherever there are patients. Their work places are many and varied, such as Cranbury NJ medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be charged to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a particular kind of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Education, Licensing and Certification

There are basically 2 kinds of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Cranbury NJ, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to complete and offers a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they normally require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program furnish a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. While not mandated in most states, most employers require certification before employing 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 a few states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, such as Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a superior education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Classes

To start with, let’s resolve one possible misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant component of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Cranbury 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 in order to graduate. However since the non-practical portion of the training can be attended online, it may be a more practical option for many students. As an additional benefit, a number of online classes are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some costs, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced also. Just verify that the online phlebotomy college you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a premium education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the ideal choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Since you now have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the kind of program you wish 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 decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist school. All 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. Following are some questions that you need to ask about each of the Cranbury NJ colleges you are looking at prior to making your ultimate selection.

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

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you pick 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 several advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from an assurance of a quality 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 earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools in Cranbury NJ. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy 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 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 ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even talk to several Cranbury NJ local hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and find out if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the New Jersey school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? First, contact the New Jersey regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Cranbury NJ phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Find out from the New Jersey colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with local health care facilities. They are the optimal way to get hands-on clinical training often not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local Cranbury NJ health care community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Available? Getting your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place most 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 Cranbury NJ health care community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s important to verify that the ultimate college you choose offers classes at times that are compatible with your active schedule. This is particularly important if you decide to still work while going to school. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Cranbury NJ, make sure they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option also. And if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is in case you have to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's a good idea to review questions you could be asked. One of the things that interviewers typically ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What made you decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not merely the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what attributes and abilities you possess that make you good at your profession. You will probably be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of general interview questions, so you should prepare some ideas about how you want to address them. Since there are numerous 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 appeals to you as well as the strengths you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the best candidate for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but write down several ideas and talking points that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample responses can assist you to develop your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to impress the interviewer.

Enroll in the Right Phlebotomist Course near Cranbury NJ

Making sure that you select the ideal phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare field. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomy training programs can be found in a variety of academic institutions, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide assortment of courses in medical care and health sciences. Course options may vary slightly from state to state as each state has its own mandates when it concerns phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must diligently research and compare each college prior to making your final choice. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the right college for you. And with the appropriate education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Cranbury NJ.

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