Choosing a Phlebotomy Course near Plainfield New Jersey

Selecting the ideal phlebotomist school near Plainfield NJ is an essential first step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging task to assess 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, many prospective students start their search by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional option you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and should be part of your selection process as well. To assist in that effort, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you pick the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomist Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their principal task, there is actually much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork has to be correctly completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory screening process. 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 Plainfield NJ phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are responsible for making sure that samples are analyzed correctly utilizing the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they may be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The simplest response is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are numerous and varied, including Plainfield NJ hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be charged 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 type of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Certification and Licensing

There are basically 2 kinds of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Plainfield NJ, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to complete and furnishes a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will include training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they typically require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program provide a more expansive background in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not required in the majority of states, a number of employers require certification before employing technicians. A few of the principal 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 require certification prior to practicing 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 enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a premium education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Colleges

To begin with, let’s dispel one potential misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial portion of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Plainfield NJ healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-clinical part of the training may be attended online, it could be a more practical alternative for many students. As an added benefit, a number of online classes are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some expenditures, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered also. Just verify that the online phlebotomy program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a quality education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online might be the right option for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Since you now have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the New Jersey college is significant in addition to the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online program. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the process for choosing a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you need to ask about all of the Plainfield NJ schools you are reviewing prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to New Jersey? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed before working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for New Jersey or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you choose should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited school 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 exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited programs in Plainfield NJ. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In many 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 essential to check out the reputations of any colleges you are looking at. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even contact some Plainfield NJ local clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and find out if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the New Jersey school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Adequate Training Provided? First, check with the New Jersey regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Plainfield NJ phlebotomist program that you are looking at should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Find out from the New Jersey colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with area health care facilities. They are the ideal way to get hands-on practical training frequently not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Plainfield NJ healthcare community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Getting your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the schools 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 positions, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Plainfield NJ medical community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s important to make sure that the ultimate school you pick offers classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is particularly important if you choose to still work while going to school. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Plainfield NJ, make sure they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option as well. And if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain 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 because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomist?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you could be asked. One of the questions that recruiters often ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What drove you to decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not just the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what characteristics and skills you possess that make you outstanding at your profession. You will probably be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of typical interview questions, so you need to prepare some strategies about how you would like to respond to them. Since there are several variables that go into selecting a career, you can answer this primary question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the profession interests you as well as the talents you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the best candidate for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but take down several ideas and topics that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample answers can assist you to develop your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.

Find the Right Phlebotomist School near Plainfield NJ

Making sure that you enroll in the right phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomist training programs are available in a number of educational institutes, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive array of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program options can vary slightly across the country as each state has its own criteria when it pertains to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to thoroughly screen and compare each college before making your final choice. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the ideal program for you. And with the appropriate training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Plainfield NJ.

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