How to Pick the Best Phlebotomy Technician School near Somerdale New Jersey

Selecting the ideal phlebotomy school near Somerdale NJ is an important first step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting undertaking to analyze and compare all of the training options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you do your due diligence to make sure that you get a superior education. In fact, many students start the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another option you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online classes later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and should be part of your decision process as well. To assist in that effort, 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 best one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our discussion about online training.

Request Free Information on Phlebotomy Training Near You!

Should You Go to School to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

Right out of the gate, not many people probably know what a phlebotomy tech or phlebotomist is. The short definition is a health care professional whose job is to draw blood. We will provide more details later. So of course anyone who decides to enter this profession must be comfortable with needles and blood. And if you are anxious in hospitals or other Somerdale NJ medical environments, well this profession probably is not right for you. And then there are the patients. Phlebotomy Technicians tend to work with anxious people who don’t like needles or having their blood taken. And because most health care facilities are open around the clock, you will probably be expected to work weekends, nights and, you guessed it even on holidays. But if you don’t mind working with the blood and needles, and if you enjoy interacting with people and are compassionate and very patient, this may be the perfect profession for you.

Click Here to Get Free Information on Phlebotomy Training Near You!

Phlebotomy Tech Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their primary duty, there is actually much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the tools being utilized are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork needs to be accurately completed 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 may be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many phlebotomists in fact work in Somerdale NJ labs and are responsible for ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly using the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they can be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The easiest response is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are numerous and varied, such as Somerdale NJ hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be charged to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a specific type of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be drawing blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients every day.

Phlebotomist Education, Licensing and Certification

There are basically 2 kinds of programs that provide phlebotomist training, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to complete and provides a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they typically require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program furnish a more expansive background in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. While not mandated in most states, most Somerdale NJ employers look for certification before hiring technicians. A few of the main 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, like California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a superior education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Classes

First, let’s dispel one potential misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial portion of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility. Many courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-practical portion of the training may be attended online, it can be a more convenient alternative for many Somerdale NJ students. As an additional benefit, some online schools are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenses, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist college you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). 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 study at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the best option for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Now that you have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already selected the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the college is relevant if you will be commuting from Somerdale NJ as well as the tuition expense. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an accredited phlebotomist online college. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the process for selecting a phlebotomy school or program. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Following are a few questions that you should ask about each of the colleges you are looking at prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to New Jersey? 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. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed before working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for New Jersey or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for all exams you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you choose should be accredited by a recognized national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a quality education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to potential employers in the Somerdale NJ job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to check the reputations of any colleges you are considering. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their students as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also contact some Somerdale NJ clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with 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? First, contact the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Ask the programs you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with area medical facilities. They are the optimal means to get hands-on clinical training often not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local Somerdale NJ medical community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Finding your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the programs you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Somerdale NJ medical community.

Are Class Times Available as Needed? Finally, it’s critical to verify that the final program you choose offers classes at times that are compatible with your hectic lifestyle. This is particularly important if you opt to still work while going to school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Somerdale NJ, check that 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. Even if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up procedure is in case you need to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Fast Phlebotomy Training Somerdale NJ

Weekend Phlebotomy Tech Courses Somerdale New Jersey

Making sure that you pick the right phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding healthcare career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are found in a number of educational institutes, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program options may differ a bit from state to state as each state has its own mandates when it pertains to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to carefully evaluate and compare each program prior to making your ultimate selection. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Weekend Phlebotomy Tech Courses and to get more information regarding Accelerated Phlebotomy Schools Near Me.  However, by asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the ideal phlebotomy program for you. And with the appropriate training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Somerdale NJ.

More New Jersey Bloody Wonderful Locations

Local Drawing Blood Programs Near Me Woodbridge NJ

4 Week Phlebotomy Tech Programs Paterson NJ

Weekend Phlebotomy Tech Schools Short Hills NJ

Local Phlebotomist Classes Near Me Ventnor City NJ

Local Phlebotomy Colleges Near Me Stratford NJ

4 Week Drawing Blood Associates Degrees Near Me Palisades Park NJ

Accredited Phlebotomist Education Near Me Lanoka Harbor NJ

Accredited Drawing Blood Courses Lumberton NJ

Weekend Phlebotomist Courses Princeton Junction NJ

Accredited Phlebotomy Technician Education Near Me Livingston NJ