Selecting a Phlebotomy School near Leonia New Jersey

Selecting the ideal phlebotomy school near Leonia NJ is an important first step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting task to evaluate and compare all of the training options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a quality education. In reality, many prospective students start the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Another factor you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll review more about online schools later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation 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 should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing 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 discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomist Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their main task, there is actually so much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the instruments being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork needs to be accurately completed in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory screening process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Leonia NJ phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are accountable for ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly utilizing the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they might be asked to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The simplest response is wherever they treat patients. Their workplaces are many and diverse, including Leonia NJ hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a particular kind of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be collecting 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, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Education, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily 2 kinds of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Leonia NJ, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to complete and provides a basic education together with 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 exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they normally require 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program offer a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. While not mandated in most states, many employers require certification prior to hiring technicians. A few of the primary 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 in order to practice as a phlebotomist, including California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a quality education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Schools

First, let’s dispel one possible mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant portion of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Leonia 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 can be accessed online, it can be a more practical alternative for many students. As an added benefit, a number of online colleges are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some costs, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened also. Just verify that the online phlebotomist program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a premium education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the ideal option for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Now that you have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already decided on the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the New Jersey college is significant as well as the tuition expense. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy program. Each of these decisions are an important component of the process for selecting a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Following are some questions that you should ask about each of the Leonia NJ schools you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for New Jersey or the state where you will be working and prepares you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you choose should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from a guarantee of a premium education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited programs in Leonia 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 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 quality. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate the reputations of any schools you are looking at. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also talk to some Leonia NJ local hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and ask if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the New Jersey school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Provided? First, check with 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 classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Leonia NJ phlebotomist program that you are considering should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Ask the New Jersey programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with local healthcare facilities. They are the ideal way to get hands-on clinical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Leonia NJ health care community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Landing your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the programs you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Leonia NJ medical community.

Are Class Times Available as Needed? And last, it’s crucial to confirm that the final college you select provides classes at times that are compatible with your hectic lifestyle. This is especially true if you opt to continue working while going to school. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near Leonia NJ, check that they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option as well. And if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is should you need to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's a good idea to consider questions you could be asked. Among the things that recruiters often ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What compelled you to pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not only the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what attributes and skills you have that make you good at your profession. You will likely be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of typical interview questions, so you need to organize some ideas about how you would like to address them. Considering there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the work interests you along with the abilities you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the leading choice for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but write down some concepts and topics that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Going over sample responses can assist you to formulate your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.

Choose the Best Phlebotomist College near Leonia NJ

Making sure that you pick the most suitable phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this rewarding healthcare field. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be available in a wide range of academic institutes, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Program options can vary a bit from state to state as every state has its own requirements when it pertains to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must diligently screen and compare each program before making your ultimate decision. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the best school for you. And with the proper training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Leonia NJ.

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