Picking a Phlebotomy School near Hillsdale New Jersey

Selecting the right phlebotomy technician school near Hillsdale NJ is an essential initial step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging task to investigate and compare each of the school alternatives that are available to you. However it’s important that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you get a quality education. In reality, many prospective students begin the process by considering 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 nearby 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 variables including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and must 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 evaluating to help you pick the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomist Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their principal task, there is actually so much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the instruments being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork has to be properly completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening procedure. The phlebotomist then transports 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 Hillsdale NJ phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are responsible for making sure that samples are analyzed properly utilizing the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they may be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The quickest response is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are numerous and varied, such as Hillsdale NJ hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a certain kind of patient. For instance, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Education, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially 2 kinds of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Hillsdale NJ, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to finish and provides a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they normally require 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program furnish a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. Although not mandated in most states, many employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. Some of the main certifying agencies 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 handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a premium education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Schools

To start with, let’s resolve one likely mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant part of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Hillsdale NJ healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-clinical part of the training may be accessed online, it can be a more convenient option for some students. As an additional benefit, a number of online classes are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenses, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy school you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a premium education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the right option for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Since you now have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already picked 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 school is relevant in addition to the cost of tuition. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist program. All of these decisions are an important component of the process for choosing a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Following are a few questions that you need to ask about each of the Hillsdale NJ schools you are considering prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. 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 practicing and prepares you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you select should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a quality education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to sit for a certification examination offered 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 Hillsdale NJ. Finally, 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 School’s Reputation? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate 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 assistance program. You can screen internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even contact several Hillsdale NJ local clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and see if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the New Jersey school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Provided? First, contact the New Jersey regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Hillsdale NJ phlebotomy program that you are considering should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums might indicate that the program is not expansive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internships Included? Find out from the New Jersey programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with area medical facilities. They are the optimal means to receive hands-on clinical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local Hillsdale NJ medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Getting your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a higher rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation together with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Hillsdale NJ medical community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? Finally, it’s important to confirm that the final school you select offers classes at times that are compatible with your active schedule. This is particularly true if you opt to still work while attending college. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Hillsdale NJ, make sure they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option also. And if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is in case you have to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's advantageous to reflect on questions you may be asked. Among the questions that hiring managers frequently ask Phlebotomist prospects is "What drove you to pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not just the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what qualities and abilities you possess that make you exceptional at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of typical interview questions, so you must prepare several strategies about how you would like to answer them. Considering there are numerous factors that go into selecting a career, you can answer this primary question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the abilities you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Tech and the perfiect candidate for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but write down several ideas and topics that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample answers can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Find the Best Phlebotomy School near Hillsdale NJ

Making sure that you enroll in the ideal phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying health care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomy training programs can be found in a number of educational institutes, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Program offerings may vary a bit from state to state as every state has its own criteria when it pertains to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to thoroughly screen and compare each program prior to making your final choice. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the ideal school for you. And with the proper training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Hillsdale NJ.

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