Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician School near Lafayette New Jersey

Picking the ideal phlebotomy training near Lafayette NJ is an important first step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting task to investigate and compare each of the school options that are accessible to you. However it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to ensure that you get a superior education. In reality, most potential students begin their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional factor you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and need to be part of your decision process too. Toward that end, 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 ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomist Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their main duty, there is in fact much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the instruments being utilized are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork needs to be properly filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Lafayette NJ phlebotomists actually work in labs and are accountable for ensuring that samples are tested correctly utilizing the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they might be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The easiest response is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are numerous and varied, such as Lafayette NJ hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a certain kind of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients every day.

Phlebotomist Education, Licensing and Certification

There are basically two kinds of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Lafayette NJ, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to finish and furnishes a basic 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, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they usually take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program offer a more expansive background in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will probably want to be certified. Although not mandated in most states, a number of employers look for certification prior to employing technicians. A few 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 several states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, like California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a superior education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Certificates and Degrees

First, let’s resolve one possible misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial portion of the course of study will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Lafayette NJ healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-clinical portion of the training may be attended online, it might be a more convenient alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, some online classes are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenditures, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy college 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 obtain a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Now that you have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already selected the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the New Jersey college is important in addition to the tuition expense. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online school. Each of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for choosing a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are several questions that you need to ask about all of the Lafayette NJ schools you are looking at before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed before working 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 satisfies the state specific requirements for New Jersey or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for all exams you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you select should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a premium education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination 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 Lafayette NJ. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to investigate the reputations of all schools you are looking at. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even contact several Lafayette NJ local 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 contact the New Jersey school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Adequate Training Provided? First, 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 length of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Lafayette NJ phlebotomy program that you are considering should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums might indicate that the program is not expansive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Find out from the New Jersey colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with local health care facilities. They are the ideal way to receive hands-on practical training frequently not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Lafayette NJ health care community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Landing your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Lafayette NJ health care community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s important to verify that the ultimate college you select offers classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is particularly true if you choose to still work while attending college. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Lafayette NJ, check that they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm 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 fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is in case you need to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Choose to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's advantageous to review questions you could be asked. Among the questions that recruiters often ask Phlebotomy Tech prospects is "What drove you to decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not just the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what qualities and talents you have that make you exceptional at your profession. You will probably be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of routine interview questions, so you should prepare a number of ideas about how you would like to respond to them. Since there are so many variables that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this primary question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the talents you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the best candidate for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but write down a few concepts and anecdotes that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Going over sample answers can assist you to formulate your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.

Enroll in the Ideal Phlebotomist Course near Lafayette NJ

Making certain that you select the right phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding medical care field. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a superior college. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are available in a variety of academic institutions, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Training program offerings may differ a bit from state to state as each state has its own mandates when it pertains to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must diligently research and compare each school before making your ultimate selection. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the right program for you. And with the proper education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Lafayette NJ.

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