Weekend Phlebotomy Training Pine Brook NJ - Phlebotomist Training Schools

How to Choose the Best Phlebotomist School near Pine Brook New Jersey

Pine Brook NJ phlebotomist drawing blood from patient Selecting the right phlebotomist school near Pine Brook NJ is a critical initial step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting task to investigate and compare all of the training options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to make certain that you receive a superior education. In fact, a large number of prospective students start their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another factor you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll talk more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and need to be part of your selection process also. To assist in that effort, we will furnish 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 cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online training.

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Should You Choose a Career as a Phlebotomy Tech?

blood analysis performed in Pine Brook NJ lab Right out of the gate, not many people probably know what a phlebotomist or phlebotomy technician is. The short definition is a medical professional whose job is to draw blood. We will provide more details later. So naturally anyone who chooses this profession must be comfortable with blood and needles. And if you are not comfortable in hospitals or other Pine Brook NJ medical facilities, well this profession probably is not right for you. And now let’s talk about the patients. Phlebotomy Techs tend to work with nervous people who don’t like needles or having their blood drawn. And because many medical facilities are open 24 hours, you may be expected to work weekends, evenings and even on holidays. But if you can handle the hours and the needles and blood, and if you enjoy helping people and are compassionate and very patient, this may be the perfect job for you.

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Phlebotomy Technician Job Summary

Pine Brook NJ phlebotomist holding blood sample A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their principal function, there is actually far more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the tools being utilized are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork must be properly filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory screening procedure. 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 pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of phlebotomists in fact work in Pine Brook NJ laboratories and are responsible for ensuring that samples are analyzed properly under the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they might be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The most basic response is wherever patients are treated. Their workplaces are numerous and varied, such as Pine Brook NJ medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a certain type of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be collecting blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients each day.

Phlebotomy Education, Certification and Licensing

Pine Brook NJ phlebotomy tech drawing blood There are primarily two kinds of programs that offer phlebotomy training, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to complete and provides a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they normally take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program furnish a more extensive background in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will probably want to get certified. Although not mandated in most states, many Pine Brook NJ employers require certification prior to 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 several states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, including California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a premium education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Training

Pine Brook NJ student attending online phlebotomy classes First, let’s resolve one potential misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial part of the course of study will be practical training and it will be performed either in an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility. Numerous courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical part of the training can be accessed online, it can be a more convenient option for many Pine Brook NJ students. As an added benefit, some online schools are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some costs, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a quality education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online might be the ideal option for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

What to ask Pine Brook NJ phlebotomy schools Since you now have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already decided on 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 school is relevant if you will be commuting from Pine Brook NJ in addition to the tuition expense. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an accredited phlebotomist online program. All of these decisions are an important part of the process for selecting a phlebotomy program or school. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you should ask about all of the schools you are considering prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. 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 working and preps 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 reputable national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a superior education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are typically not available for non-accredited programs. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the Pine Brook NJ job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check out the reputations of all 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 assistance program. You can research online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even contact several Pine Brook NJ hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and see if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with the New Jersey school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Enough Training Provided? First, contact 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 phlebotomy program that you are considering should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Find out from the programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with area health care facilities. They are the ideal way to receive hands-on clinical training often not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Pine Brook NJ health care community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Getting your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Pine Brook NJ health care community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s important to confirm that the ultimate college you choose provides classes at times that will accommodate your active lifestyle. This is particularly true if you opt to still work while going to college. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Pine Brook NJ, make certain they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm 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 completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is in case you need to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Phlebotomy Certification Training Pine Brook NJ

Weekend Phlebotomy Training Pine Brook New Jersey

Making sure that you pick the ideal phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this rewarding medical care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be available in a variety of educational institutions, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Program offerings may vary a bit across the country as each state has its own prerequisites when it pertains to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to thoroughly research and compare each program before making your ultimate selection. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Weekend Phlebotomy Training and to get more information regarding Local Phlebotomist Associates Degrees. However, by asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the best phlebotomist program for you. And with the appropriate training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Pine Brook NJ.