Selecting a Phlebotomist School near Salem New Jersey

Picking the right phlebotomy school near Salem NJ is an important initial step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting undertaking to assess and compare all of the school options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a quality education. In reality, most potential students start their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional option you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your decision process too. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you select the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their principal function, there is in fact far more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the tools being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be properly filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Salem NJ phlebotomists actually work in labs and are in charge of making sure that samples are tested properly using the highest quality assurance 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 Work?

The most basic answer is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are numerous and varied, including Salem NJ hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a certain type of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily 2 types of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Salem NJ, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to complete and furnishes a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they normally take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program furnish a more extensive background in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will probably want to be certified. While not mandated in most states, a number of employers look for certification prior to hiring 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 a few states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, like California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a premium education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Schools

To begin with, let’s resolve one possible misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial component of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Salem NJ healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-practical component of the training may be attended online, it can be a more practical alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, a number of online programs are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some costs, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a premium education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the best choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Since you now have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already picked the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the New Jersey school is significant in addition to the tuition expense. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online college. All of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for selecting a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you need to ask about each of the Salem NJ programs you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to New Jersey? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for New Jersey or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you select should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a superior education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited programs in Salem NJ. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of all colleges you are looking at. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can research online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even contact a few Salem NJ local hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and find out if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the New Jersey school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Provided? To begin with, contact the New Jersey regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Salem NJ phlebotomist program that you are considering should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask the New Jersey colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with local health care facilities. They are the optimal way to obtain hands-on practical training typically not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Salem NJ healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Landing your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Salem NJ healthcare community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to make sure that the ultimate college you pick provides classes at times that are compatible with your hectic schedule. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while going to college. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Salem NJ, check that they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify 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 procedure is should you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomist?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's a good idea to review questions you could be asked. One of the questions that hiring managers often ask Phlebotomy Tech candidates is "What drove you to select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not only the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but also what qualities and talents you have that make you outstanding at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of general interview questions, so you need to ready a number of strategies about how you would like to answer them. Given that there are several variables that go into selecting a career, you can respond to 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 talents you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomist and the ideal choice for the job. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but jot down several concepts and anecdotes that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample answers can assist you to develop your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to enthuse the recruiter.

Select the Right Phlebotomy College near Salem NJ

Making certain that you select the ideal phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this rewarding healthcare field. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomist training programs are found in a variety of academic institutes, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide array of courses in medical care and health sciences. Course options can differ a bit from state to state as each state has its own mandates when it pertains to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to diligently evaluate and compare each college before making your ultimate selection. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the ideal program for you. And with the appropriate education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Salem NJ.

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