Picking a Phlebotomy Technician School near Highland Park New Jersey

Selecting the right phlebotomy school near Highland Park NJ is a critical initial step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting task to evaluate and compare all of the school options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to make certain that you obtain a quality education. In fact, many potential students start their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional factor you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll review a bit more about online schools later in this article. What’s important 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 including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and should be part of your decision process also. To assist in that effort, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you select the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomy Tech Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their main responsibility, there is in fact far more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the tools being utilized are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. 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 an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some Highland Park NJ phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are accountable for making sure that samples are analyzed correctly utilizing the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they can be asked to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The easiest response is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are numerous and varied, including Highland Park NJ hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a certain kind of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be drawing blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially 2 types of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Highland Park NJ, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to finish and provides a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they usually require 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program offer a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will probably want to be certified. While not required in the majority of states, many employers require certification before 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 a few states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, including Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only furnishes a quality education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Colleges

First, let’s resolve one potential misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A good portion of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Highland Park NJ healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-practical portion of the training may be accessed online, it can be a more convenient option for some students. As an added benefit, many online schools are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some expenditures, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online 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 best option for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Now that you have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, 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 certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the New Jersey campus is relevant as well as the tuition expense. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy program. All of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for picking a program or school. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you need to ask about all of the Highland Park NJ programs you are reviewing before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to New Jersey? As earlier discussed, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for New Jersey or the state where you will be working and preps you for any examinations you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you pick should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from a guarantee of a quality education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited schools in Highland Park NJ. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s important to check out the reputations of any colleges you are looking at. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place 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 also. You can even talk to several Highland Park NJ local clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and find out if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the New Jersey school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Adequate Training Provided? 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 clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Highland Park NJ phlebotomy 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 lower than these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Find out from the New Jersey programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with local health care facilities. They are the optimal way to get hands-on clinical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Highland Park NJ medical community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Landing your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Highland Park NJ health care community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s crucial to make sure that the ultimate college you select provides classes at times that will accommodate your hectic lifestyle. This is particularly important if you choose to still work while going to school. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Highland Park NJ, make certain they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option also. And if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is should you have to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Desire to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's advantageous to consider questions you may be asked. One of the things that hiring managers frequently ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What made you select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not only the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what qualities and talents you possess that make you outstanding at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of general interview questions, so you should prepare several ideas about how you want to answer them. Given that there are numerous factors that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the work appeals to you as well as the strengths you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomist and the leading choice for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but jot down a few ideas and talking points that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Going over sample answers can help you to prepare your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the interviewer.

Choose the Best Phlebotomist School near Highland Park NJ

Making certain that you enroll in the ideal phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this rewarding health care career position. 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 institutes, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive assortment of programs in medical care and health sciences. Course options can differ somewhat from state to state as each state has its own requirements when it comes to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to carefully evaluate and compare each program prior to making your ultimate decision. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the right program for you. And with the proper education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Highland Park NJ.

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