Picking a Phlebotomy School near Haddonfield New Jersey

Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomy school near Haddonfield NJ is a critical first step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting task to investigate and compare each of the school alternatives that are available to you. However it’s vital that you do your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a quality education. In reality, many prospective students begin the process by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another option you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll review more about online classes later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation are also significant 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 should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you select the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomy Tech Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their primary task, there is in fact far more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork has to be correctly filled out to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab testing procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some Haddonfield NJ phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are responsible for making certain that samples are analyzed correctly utilizing the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they might be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The most basic answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are numerous and varied, including Haddonfield NJ hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a certain kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily two types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Haddonfield NJ, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to complete and furnishes a general education along 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 provide training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they typically take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program furnish a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will probably want to become certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, many employers look for certification before employing technicians. A few of the key 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 require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, such as Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a premium education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Schools

To begin with, let’s dispel one possible misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial component of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Haddonfield NJ healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical portion of the training may be attended online, it may be a more practical option for some students. As an added benefit, some online schools are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some costs, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a premium education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the right choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Since you now have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the New Jersey campus is important in addition to the cost of tuition. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy college. All of these decisions are an important component of the process for choosing a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you need to ask about all of the Haddonfield NJ schools you are looking at prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s very important to choose 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 College Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you enroll in should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited program aside from a guarantee of a superior education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges in Haddonfield NJ. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to check the reputations of all colleges you are looking at. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also check with some Haddonfield NJ area clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and find out if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can check with the New Jersey school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Included? To begin with, contact 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 Haddonfield NJ phlebotomy program that you are considering should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than 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 health care 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 establish relationships within the local Haddonfield NJ health care community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Finding your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement rate 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 substantial network of professional contacts within the Haddonfield NJ medical community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s critical to confirm that the ultimate program you select offers classes at times that will accommodate your hectic schedule. This is especially true if you decide to still work while attending school. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Haddonfield NJ, make sure they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option also. And if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up procedure is in case you have to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's important to reflect on questions you may be asked. One of the questions that recruiters often ask Phlebotomy Technician prospects is "What drove you to pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not only the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what qualities and skills you have that make you outstanding at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of typical interview questions, so you must organize some approaches about how you want to answer them. Because there are so many variables that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the work appeals to you as well as the abilities you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Technician and the ideal candidate for the position. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but take down several concepts and topics that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample answers can help you to prepare your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.

Select the Best Phlebotomy School near Haddonfield NJ

Making certain that you pick the ideal phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying health care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomist training programs are found in a number of academic institutions, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide range of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program options may differ a bit across the country as every state has its own mandates when it concerns phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to thoroughly evaluate and compare each school before making your ultimate decision. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the best program for you. And with the appropriate education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Haddonfield NJ.

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