Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician School near Peapack New Jersey

Selecting the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Peapack NJ is an important initial step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging task to evaluate and compare all of the training options that are available to you. However it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you get a superior education. In fact, a large number of students begin their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional option you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll review more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and should be part of your decision process also. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you choose the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomy Technician Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their main responsibility, there is actually so much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the tools being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork needs to be accurately completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Peapack NJ phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are responsible for making certain that samples are tested properly using the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they may be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The simplest response is wherever patients are treated. Their workplaces are many and diverse, such as Peapack NJ medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a certain kind of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Certification and Licensing

There are basically 2 types of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Peapack NJ, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to finish and furnishes a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they normally require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program furnish a more expansive background in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. Although not required in most states, most employers look for certification before employing technicians. A few of the key 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 prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, like California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a quality education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Certificates and Degrees

To begin with, let’s resolve one possible mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant part of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Peapack NJ healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-practical portion of the training can be attended online, it can be a more practical option for many students. As an additional benefit, a number of online schools are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some costs, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomy program you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a premium education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online may be the ideal option for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Now that you have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the New Jersey college is important in addition to the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist school. Each of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for selecting a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are several questions that you should ask about each of the Peapack NJ colleges you are reviewing before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As previously mentioned, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for New Jersey or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you choose should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a premium education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are often unavailable for non-accredited programs in Peapack 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 many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate the reputations of any colleges you are reviewing. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can research online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even check with a few Peapack NJ area clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and find out if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can check with the New Jersey school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Adequate Training Included? To begin with, check with the New Jersey regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Peapack NJ phlebotomist program that you are looking at should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internships Provided? Ask the New Jersey schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with area medical facilities. They are the optimal means to get hands-on clinical training often not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Peapack NJ medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Available? Getting your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Peapack NJ healthcare community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s crucial to make sure that the final program you select provides classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is especially true if you opt to continue working while going to school. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Peapack NJ, make sure they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option also. Even if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up procedure is should you have to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's important to review questions you could be asked. One of the questions that hiring managers frequently ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What compelled you to decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not only the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what attributes and abilities you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of general interview questions, so you need to prepare some ideas about how you want to address them. Because there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this primary question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession appeals to you as well as the strengths you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the best candidate for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but write down some ideas and topics that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Going over sample answers can assist you to formulate your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.

Enroll in the Best Phlebotomy School near Peapack NJ

Making sure that you select the most suitable phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomy training programs are offered in a number of academic institutes, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide assortment of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Course options may vary slightly across the country as each state has its own criteria when it comes to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to thoroughly evaluate and compare each school prior to 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 ideal program for you. And with the proper education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Peapack NJ.

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