The global blood testing market was worth a staggering $80.5 billion in 2021. But more importantly, blood testing helps to save lives and keep people healthy all around the world every single day. Training for a career as a phlebotomy technician can be rewarding and open up many employment opportunities for you.
This guide can help New Jersey residents understand phlebotomy technician certification requirements. This can help you choose a great program that will set you up for an exciting career.
Let’s explore what’s involved in becoming a qualified technician and how to choose the right training course.
The Role of a Phlebotomist
A phlebotomist, also called a phlebotomy technician, specializes in drawing blood from patients. Blood testing is a vital tool used every day by medical professionals. It can be used for diagnostic purposes to identify conditions such as:
- Diabetes
- High cholesterol
- Forms of hepatitis
- Cancer
- HIV
- Sexually transmitted infections
Blood tests are also useful for monitoring long-term conditions. They can help doctors to get an overall view of a person’s health.
Doctors and nurses are trained and qualified to draw blood. However, qualified phlebotomists focus on this one skill, becoming true experts.
Skills a Phlebotomy Technician Needs
Working as a phlebotomy technician is a responsible job. You will need to:
- Follow rigorous health and safety standards
- Accurately label drawn blood for processing
- Select the right method of drawing blood depending on the patient’s age and health condition
- Obtain and record insurance information
- Work cooperatively in high-pressure situations with other medical personnel
It requires a keen eye for detail and the ability to keep calm under pressure. You must also have great people skills. Most people find having blood drawn stressful, and it’s your job to reassure them while getting the job done.
Training as a phlebotomist is a great chance to learn more about human anatomy and how the body works. You’ll become adept at identifying the best and least painful way to draw blood. You will become an essential part of the team and have the satisfaction of knowing that your career really helps people.
Do You Need a License in New Jersey?
In most states, including New Jersey, you do not need a license to work as a phlebotomist. However, employers will set their own standards for people they employ as phlebotomists. They will expect you to be well trained, with a phlebotomy technician certification and on-the-job experience.
You can choose to become a member of the National Association of Phlebotomy Technician Professionals (NAPTP). This organization certifies phlebotomists and sets standards of care for phlebotomists to follow. If you choose to complete a phlebotomy certification, look for one that includes completing the NAPTP exam.
A Career as a Phlebotomy Technician
Currently, there are 135,500 people working as phlebotomists in the United States. As one of the most populous states in the country, New Jersey needs lots of phlebotomy technicians. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that there will be a 10% growth in jobs in this field by 2031.
This is a strong outlook and could make it a tempting career choice. Added to this is the fact that you do not need a college education to achieve your certification.
Phlebotomy Technician Salary
The national average salary of a phlebotomist currently stands at $37,380, which equates to $17.97 per hour. The New Jersey minimum wage currently stands at $13 per hour. This means phlebotomists earn significantly more than the state minimum.Â
There is a chance to earn more as you become more experienced. The highest earning 10%Â of phlebotomy technicians earn more than $48,490 a year.
Where Phlebotomists Work
One of the advantages of training as a phlebotomy technician is that there are so many options open to you for work. There are obvious places, such as hospitals, clinics, doctors’ offices, and laboratories. But there are other options you may not have considered.
These include:
- Senior living facilities
- Public health agencies
- Nursing homes
Some laboratories also employ traveling phlebotomists. So if you enjoy working in different locations and meeting new people each day, this could be a great option for you.
Future Opportunities
Training as a phlebotomist in New Jersey is a great way to dip your toe into the medical field. If you find that you have a passion for it, you could go on to further training. It can be a great springboard for training as a nurse or doctor in the future.
How to Gain Phlebotomy Technician Certification in New Jersey
You can take online classes to qualify as a phlebotomy technician. The course is led by world-class instructors who will guide you through the program every step of the way.
Every student is assigned an instructor. Much of the learning is done online, but your instructor is available to answer your questions as you complete the program.Â
Certification Requirements
You will need a high-school diploma or equivalent GED for the phlebotomy technician certification. You do not need any prior work experience. An internship or learnership is not a requirement, but many students find one very useful for gaining on-the-job training. Â
The course includes 170 hours of instruction spread over 35 topics. You can study at your own pace. You can either complete the course full-time in four weeks or take the full six months from the time of your enrollment.Â
Clinical Experience Requirements
All students must complete 30 venipunctures (blood draws) as part of the core requirements of the course. Each draw must be supervised, and your supervisor will need to complete a blood draw log. If you are unable to find an internship, you may complete a virtual alternative with guidance from your instructor.
If you have prior experience, you may provide a letter from your employer to prove you have already met the clinical requirements of the course.
Examination
As part of your course, you will receive one attempt at the National Phlebotomy Technician Certification Exam. When you have successfully completed your exam, you can apply for work as a certified phlebotomist!
Ready to Start Phlebotomy Training?
Many types of medical training require years of study and tens of thousands of dollars in course fees. However, phlebotomy technician certification gives you access to a steady medical career for less than $1000!
If you’re ready to learn more, check out our Online Phlebotomy Technician Course and enroll today!
Nancy L. Kimmel obtained her PhD in Environmental Engineering in 2002, then went on to teach Physics and Mechanical Engineering at Lawrence Technological University, Henry Ford College and Oakland University. She obtained her Associate in Nursing from Henry Ford College and then went on to earn her Master Degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner and became Board Certified working as a licensed FNP in the State of Michigan. She then went on to Medical School where she is now in her 3rd year, and is also in the process of obtaining her Doctorate in Nursing Practice through Chamberlin University. She has authored the NET Study Guide, as well a several books on subjects of Math, ECG/EKG and Phlebotomy. She holds a patent on an Air Filter through the U.S. Patent Office.