Picking a Phlebotomy Technician School near Highlands New Jersey

Picking the ideal phlebotomist school near Highlands NJ is a critical first step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting undertaking to investigate and compare all of the training alternatives that are available to you. However it’s important that you perform your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a superior education. In reality, a large number of prospective students start the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional option you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll discuss more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and should be part of your selection process too. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you pick the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomist Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their principal responsibility, there is actually far more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to confirm that the tools being utilized are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork has to be properly completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing 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 infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many Highlands NJ phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are accountable for ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly under the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they can be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The most basic answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are numerous and varied, including Highlands NJ hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be charged to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a specific type 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 drawing 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 variety of patients and would work with new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Training, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially 2 kinds of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Highlands NJ, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to complete and offers a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they normally require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program provide a more expansive background in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. While not mandated in most states, most employers require certification prior to employing technicians. A few of the main 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 call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, such as California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a quality education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Classes

To start with, let’s resolve one potential mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial component of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Highlands 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 prior to graduation. But since the non-practical part of the training can be accessed online, it may be a more convenient alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, a number of online colleges are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some expenses, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist program you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a quality education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the best choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Now that you have a basic understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the type of program you want 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 cost of tuition. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online school. All of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for choosing a program or school. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you need to ask about each of the Highlands NJ programs you are considering prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to New Jersey? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for New Jersey or the state where you will be working and preps you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you choose should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of 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 qualify to take a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools in Highlands NJ. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of any colleges you are looking at. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their students as part of their job placement program. You can research online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even contact some Highlands NJ area clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and ask if they can provide any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the New Jersey school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Provided? To begin with, contact the New Jersey regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Highlands NJ phlebotomy program that you are looking at should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out from the New Jersey schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional healthcare facilities. They are the ideal means to get hands-on practical training frequently not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Highlands NJ healthcare community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Landing your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Ask if the programs you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Highlands NJ healthcare community.

Are Class Times Available as Needed? And last, it’s important to make sure that the final school you choose offers classes at times that will accommodate your busy lifestyle. This is especially true if you choose to continue working while going to college. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near Highlands NJ, check that they are offered at those times. Also, 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 need to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Become a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you may be asked. Among the questions that interviewers frequently ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What drove you to decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not merely the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what qualities and talents you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of standard interview questions, so you must organize some strategies about how you want to respond to them. Since there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the work appeals to you as well as the talents you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the perfiect candidate for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but write down some concepts and anecdotes that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can assist you to prepare your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to impress the recruiter.

Choose the Best Phlebotomy School near Highlands NJ

Making certain that you pick the right phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be offered in a number of educational institutions, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings can vary slightly from state to state as each state has its own requirements when it comes to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to thoroughly research and compare each college 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 right college for you. And with the appropriate training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Highlands NJ.

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