Selecting a Phlebotomy School near Glassboro New Jersey

Choosing the right phlebotomy training near Glassboro NJ is a critical first step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting task to evaluate and compare each of the school alternatives that are available to you. However it’s important that you complete your due diligence to make certain that you obtain a quality education. In reality, most students begin the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional option you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and should be part of your selection process as well. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you pick the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their main function, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork needs to be correctly filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab testing procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Glassboro NJ phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are responsible for making sure that samples are tested correctly using the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they can be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The simplest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are numerous and diverse, including Glassboro NJ hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a certain type of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from new patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially two kinds of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Glassboro NJ, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to complete and provides a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they usually take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program furnish a more expansive background in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not required in the majority of states, many employers require certification before employing technicians. Some of the principal 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 require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, like Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a superior education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Colleges

First, let’s dispel one possible misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant part of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Glassboro 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. But since the non-practical part of the training may be attended online, it could be a more convenient option for many students. As an added benefit, some online schools are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some expenses, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist college you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a quality education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online might be the right choice for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Since you now have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to start 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 mentioned earlier, the location of the New Jersey college is significant as well as the cost of tuition. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online program. Each of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for picking a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you should ask about all of the Glassboro NJ programs you are reviewing before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very 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 exams you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you select should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting agency, 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 premium education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited schools in Glassboro NJ. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? 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 check out the reputations of all schools you are considering. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also check with some Glassboro NJ area hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and see if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the New Jersey school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? To begin with, 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 amount of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Glassboro NJ phlebotomy program that you are considering should provide 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 expansive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out from the New Jersey colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with local health care facilities. They are the optimal way to get hands-on clinical training often not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Glassboro NJ healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Landing your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Glassboro NJ medical community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s critical to make sure that the final program you select provides classes at times that are compatible with your busy schedule. This is especially true if you decide to continue working while attending school. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Glassboro NJ, check that they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option also. And if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is should you have to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomist?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you could be asked. One of the things that interviewers often ask Phlebotomy Technician prospects is "What compelled you to select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not merely the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but additionally what characteristics and talents you possess that make you good at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of general interview questions, so you should organize a number of approaches about how you would like to address them. Considering there are several variables that go into choosing a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the work appeals to you along with the strengths you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomist and the ideal choice for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but jot down several ideas and anecdotes that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample responses can assist you to formulate your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to enthuse the recruiter.

Enroll in the Ideal Phlebotomist Course near Glassboro NJ

Making certain that you pick the ideal phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomy training programs are found in a wide range of educational institutes, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program offerings can vary slightly across the country as each state has its own prerequisites when it pertains to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to carefully research and compare each program before making your final choice. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the right college for you. And with the proper training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Glassboro NJ.

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