How to Pick the Best Phlebotomist Training Course near Lakehurst New Jersey

Choosing the ideal phlebotomist school near Lakehurst NJ is a critical first step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging task to assess and compare all of the training options that are available to you. However it’s vital that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a superior education. In reality, many potential students start the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional option you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and should be part of your decision process as well. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you choose the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online training.

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Should You Train to Be a Plebotomist?

Right out of the gate, few people are likely to know what a phlebotomist or phlebotomy technician is. The basic definition is a health care professional who draws blood from patients. We will provide more details later. So of course anyone who selects this profession must be OK around blood and needles. And if you are not comfortable in hospitals or other Lakehurst NJ medical facilities, well this job probably is not the best choice for you. And now let’s talk about the patients. Phlebotomists tend to work around anxious people who don’t like needles or having their blood taken. And because most health care facilities are open 24 hours, you may be required to work weekends, nights and even on holidays. But if you don’t mind working with the blood and needles, and if you enjoy helping people and are patient and compassionate, this could be the right job for you.

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Phlebotomist Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their principal responsibility, there is actually so much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork has to be properly completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing procedure. 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 phlebotomists in fact work in Lakehurst NJ laboratories and are responsible for making certain that samples are analyzed correctly using the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they might be asked to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The quickest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their workplaces are many and diverse, including Lakehurst NJ hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a specific kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Training, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially two kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomy training, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to complete and provides a general 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, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they typically require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program provide a more extensive background in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. While not required in the majority of states, a number of Lakehurst NJ employers require certification prior to employing technicians. A few of the key 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 in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, including Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a superior education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Schools

To begin with, let’s dispel one possible misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A good component of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved healthcare facility or an on-campus lab. Numerous courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-clinical part of the training can be attended online, it can be a more convenient alternative for many Lakehurst NJ students. As an additional benefit, some online schools are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some costs, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomy college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Since you now have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already decided on the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the campus is important if you will be commuting from Lakehurst NJ as well as the tuition expense. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an accredited online phlebotomy program. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for choosing a phlebotomy 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 all of the schools you are reviewing before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for New Jersey or the state where you will be working and prepares you for any examinations you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you select should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited program aside from a guarantee of a quality education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are typically not available for non-accredited programs. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to potential employers in the Lakehurst NJ job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to check the reputations of any schools you are considering. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also talk to several Lakehurst NJ clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and see if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can check with the New Jersey school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Included? To begin with, check with the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any phlebotomist program that you are considering should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Ask the schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with area health care facilities. They are the optimal way to receive hands-on practical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Lakehurst NJ medical community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Offered? Landing your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Lakehurst NJ healthcare community.

Are Class Times Available as Needed? And last, it’s critical to confirm that the final school you pick offers classes at times that are compatible with your hectic lifestyle. This is particularly important if you choose to still work while going to school. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Lakehurst NJ, check that they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option also. Even 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 have to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Phlebotomy Technician Programs Near Me Lakehurst NJ

Accredited Phlebotomist Training Near Me Lakehurst New Jersey

Making sure that you enroll in the ideal phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this fulfilling healthcare career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be offered in a number of academic institutions, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive assortment of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Program options can vary slightly across the country as each state has its own prerequisites when it concerns phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must carefully evaluate and compare each school prior to making your final decision. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Accredited Phlebotomist Training Near Me and to get more information regarding 4 Week Phlebotomy Technician Associates Degrees Near Me.  However, by addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the right phlebotomy program for you. And with the appropriate training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Lakehurst NJ.

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