Picking a Phlebotomy Training Program near Florham Park New Jersey

Choosing the right phlebotomist training near Florham Park NJ is an important first step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting undertaking to investigate and compare all of the school options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you do your due diligence to make certain that you receive a superior education. In reality, a large number of prospective students begin the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another option you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and should be part of your decision process as well. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you select the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomist Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While 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 utilized are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork needs to be accurately completed to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab testing procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some Florham Park NJ phlebotomists actually work in labs and are responsible for ensuring that samples are tested properly using the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they might be required to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The most basic response is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are numerous and varied, including Florham Park NJ hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be charged to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a particular type of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be drawing blood from older patients. If they are practicing 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 every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Certification and Licensing

There are basically 2 types of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Florham Park NJ, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to finish and offers a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will include training to become a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they usually require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program provide a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, most employers look for certification prior to employing technicians. A few of the primary certifying organizations include:

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

There are several states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, such as California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a premium education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Certificates and Degrees

To begin with, let’s resolve one possible mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial part of the course of study will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Florham Park 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. However since the non-practical portion of the training may be attended online, it can be a more practical alternative for some students. As an added benefit, a number of online programs are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some expenses, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomist college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the best option for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Now that you have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already picked the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the New Jersey college is significant as well as the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist program. All of these decisions are a critical part of the process for selecting a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you need to ask about all of the Florham Park NJ schools you are considering prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for New Jersey or the state where you will be working and readies you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you pick should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a quality education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are typically not available for non-accredited programs in Florham Park NJ. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of all colleges you are reviewing. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also contact a few Florham Park NJ area hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and see if they can provide any insights. 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 colleges are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Provided? First, check with the New Jersey regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Florham Park NJ phlebotomist program that you are looking at should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internships Provided? Ask the New Jersey schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with regional healthcare facilities. They are the optimal means to get hands-on clinical training often not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Florham Park NJ medical community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Finding your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Florham Park NJ healthcare community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s important to verify that the final college you pick provides classes at times that are compatible with your busy lifestyle. This is especially true if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Florham Park NJ, make certain they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, 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 procedure is should you have to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Choose to Become a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's advantageous to consider questions you may be asked. Among the things that interviewers frequently ask Phlebotomy Tech candidates is "What drove you to choose Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not just the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what characteristics and skills you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of routine interview questions, so you need to ready a number of ideas about how you want to answer them. Because there are numerous factors that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession appeals to you in addition to the strengths you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the best candidate for the position. Don't try to memorize an answer, but jot down a few concepts and topics that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample answers can assist you to develop your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.

Choose the Best Phlebotomist School near Florham Park NJ

Making sure that you choose the right phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomist training programs can be available in a wide range of academic institutes, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive array of courses in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings may vary somewhat from state to state as each state has its own requirements when it pertains to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must thoroughly screen and compare each program prior to making your ultimate selection. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the right program for you. And with the proper training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Florham Park NJ.

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