How to Enroll in the Best Phlebotomy Tech Training Program near Somerset New Jersey

Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomy training near Somerset NJ is an essential first step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult task to investigate and compare all of the training alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you receive a quality education. In reality, many students start the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional factor you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll discuss more about online schools later in this article. What’s important 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 important considerations and should be part of your selection process also. 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 pick the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online schools.

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Should You Train to Be a Plebotomist?

Right out of the gate, not many people probably know what a phlebotomist or phlebotomy technician is. The short answer is a health care professional who draws blood from patients. We will provide more details later. So naturally anyone who chooses this profession must be OK around needles and blood. And if you are nervous in hospitals or other Somerset NJ medical environments, well this job probably is not right for you. And now let’s talk about the patients. Phlebotomy Technicians often work with anxious people who hate needles or having a blood sample drawn. And because most health care facilities are open 24 hours, you will probably be required to work weekends, nights and, you guessed it even on holidays. But if you can handle the hours and the needles and blood, and if you enjoy interacting with people and are patient and compassionate, this may be the perfect job for you.

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Phlebotomy Technician Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their primary responsibility, there is in fact much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the instruments being utilized are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork needs to be correctly completed in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab testing procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of phlebotomists in fact work in Somerset NJ laboratories and are accountable for making sure that samples are analyzed correctly utilizing the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they may be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The easiest response is wherever they treat patients. Their workplaces are numerous and varied, such as Somerset NJ hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be charged to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing blood from a specific type of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be drawing blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Certification and Licensing

There are basically two types of programs that furnish phlebotomy training, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to complete and furnishes a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they typically require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program provide a more expansive background in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will probably want to become certified. Although not required in most states, a number of Somerset NJ employers require certification before employing 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 require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, like Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a superior education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Colleges

First, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial portion of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved healthcare facility or an on-campus lab. A large number of courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-practical part of the training may be accessed online, it could be a more convenient alternative for many Somerset NJ students. As an added benefit, many online colleges are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some costs, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered also. Just verify that the online phlebotomist college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a superior education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the right choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Now that you have a basic understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the school is important if you will be commuting from Somerset NJ as well as the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an accredited online phlebotomist program. All of these decisions are a critical component of the process for picking a phlebotomy school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you should ask about each of the schools you are considering before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to New Jersey? 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. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed before working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomist program that satisfies the state specific requirements for New Jersey or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you pick should be accredited by a recognized national or regional accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from a guarantee of a quality education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited schools. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more desirable to potential employers in the Somerset NJ job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate the reputations of all colleges you are reviewing. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also contact several Somerset NJ clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and see if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with the New Jersey school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Enough Training Provided? First, contact the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any phlebotomy program that you are considering should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums might signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Ask the schools you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with local healthcare facilities. They are the ideal means to get hands-on clinical training typically not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Somerset NJ health care community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Getting your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Somerset NJ healthcare community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s critical to confirm that the ultimate program you choose offers classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is especially important if you opt to still work while attending school. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Somerset NJ, make certain they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option also. And if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up procedure is in case you need to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

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Making certain that you choose the most suitable phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying health care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a superior college. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be offered in a variety of educational institutions, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive range of programs in medical care and health sciences. Training program offerings can vary a bit across the country as every state has its own criteria when it comes to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must thoroughly research and compare each program prior to making your ultimate selection. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Weekend Phlebotomy Tech Associates Degrees and to get more information regarding Accelerated Phlebotomy Training Near Me.  However, by asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the ideal phlebotomy college for you. And with the appropriate training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Somerset NJ.

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