Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician School near Stockton New Jersey

Selecting the right phlebotomy school near Stockton NJ is a critical first step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting task to investigate and compare all of the school options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you complete your due diligence to make certain that you receive a quality education. In fact, a large number of potential students begin the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Another factor you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is a lot 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 as well. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you pick the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomy Tech Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their principal responsibility, there is actually far more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to confirm that the tools being utilized are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork needs to be properly filled out to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Stockton NJ phlebotomists actually work in labs and are accountable for making sure that samples are analyzed properly using the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they might be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The most basic response is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are numerous and varied, such as Stockton NJ hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing blood from a specific type of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients each day.

Phlebotomist Training, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially two kinds of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Stockton NJ, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to finish and offers a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they typically take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program provide a more extensive background in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. Although not mandated in most states, many employers look for certification before hiring technicians. Some 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 a few states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, such as California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a superior education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Colleges

To begin with, let’s resolve one possible mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant portion of the course of study will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Stockton 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 prior to graduation. But since the non-practical part of the training can be attended online, it might be a more practical alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, a number of online programs are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a quality education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online might be the best choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

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 may have already selected the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the New Jersey campus is important in addition to the cost of tuition. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online program. All of these decisions are an important part of the process for choosing a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you need to ask about all of the Stockton NJ colleges you are looking at before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed before working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that satisfies 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 School Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you choose should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited school in addition to a guarantee of a quality education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited schools in Stockton 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 School’s Ranking? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of any schools you are considering. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even contact several Stockton NJ area clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and see if they can provide any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the New Jersey school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Adequate Training Included? To begin with, contact the New Jersey regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Stockton NJ phlebotomy program that you are looking at should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internships Provided? Find out from the New Jersey colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with area health care facilities. They are the optimal means to get hands-on clinical training frequently not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Stockton NJ healthcare community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Landing your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the Stockton NJ medical community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s crucial to confirm that the final school you select offers classes at times that will accommodate your hectic lifestyle. This is particularly true if you choose to still work while attending school. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near Stockton 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 completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is should you have to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's important to review questions you might be asked. Among the questions that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomy Tech candidates is "What made you decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not just the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what attributes and talents you possess that make you good at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of general interview questions, so you need to ready some strategies about how you would like to respond to them. Given that there are numerous variables that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this primary question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you along with the strengths you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Tech and the ideal candidate for the position. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but take down a few ideas and talking points that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample answers can assist you to formulate your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to impress the interviewer.

Find the Best Phlebotomy Course near Stockton NJ

Making sure that you choose the most suitable phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are offered in a wide range of educational institutes, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive range of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Program offerings may differ slightly across the country as every state has its own prerequisites when it concerns phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must carefully research and compare each school before making your final decision. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the best college for you. And with the proper training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Stockton NJ.

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