Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician School near Athens Tennessee

Picking the right phlebotomy technician school near Athens TN is a critical initial step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting task to analyze and compare all of the school options that are accessible to you. However it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a quality education. In reality, many students start their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Another factor you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll talk more about online classes later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and should be part of your selection process also. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you pick 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 classes.

Phlebotomy Tech Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their main responsibility, there is actually far more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the instruments being utilized are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork has to be accurately filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Athens TN phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are in charge of ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly under the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they can be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The easiest response is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are numerous and diverse, such as Athens TN medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a particular type of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, 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 two kinds of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Athens TN, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to complete and furnishes a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they usually take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program offer a more extensive background in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will probably want to be certified. While not mandated in most states, a number of employers look for certification before employing technicians. A few of the main 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 call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, such as Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a premium education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Schools

To begin with, let’s resolve one likely mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A good part of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Athens TN healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-practical component of the training may be accessed online, it can be a more practical option for some students. As an additional benefit, many online schools are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenditures, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered also. Just verify that the online phlebotomy college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online might be the right choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Now that you have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Tennessee school is significant in addition to the tuition expense. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomy online college. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the process for picking a program or school. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Following are a few questions that you should ask about each of the Athens TN colleges you are considering before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for 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 phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Tennessee or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for all exams you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you choose should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a superior education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited programs in Athens TN. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the School’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 along with accreditation, it’s imperative to check out the reputations of any colleges you are considering. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also talk to several Athens TN local clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and find out if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the Tennessee school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Included? First, check with the Tennessee regulator or 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 Athens TN phlebotomist 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 lower than these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internships Included? Ask the Tennessee colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with area health care facilities. They are the ideal means to obtain hands-on practical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Athens TN medical community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Getting your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the Athens TN healthcare community.

Are Class Times Available as Needed? And last, it’s critical to verify that the ultimate school you choose provides classes at times that are compatible with your busy schedule. This is particularly true if you decide to still work while going to college. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near Athens TN, make certain they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option also. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is in case you have to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomist?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's important to reflect on questions you might be asked. One of the things that interviewers typically ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What drove you to decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not only the private reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what characteristics and skills you have that make you good at what you do. You will probably be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of standard interview questions, so you need to prepare a number of strategies about how you want to answer them. Since there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work appeals to you in addition to the abilities you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the leading candidate for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but write down several concepts and talking points that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can help you to formulate your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to include to impress the recruiter.

Select the Ideal Phlebotomist Program near Athens TN

Making certain that you select the right phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be found in a wide range of educational institutes, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive assortment of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings can differ a bit across the country as every state has its own prerequisites when it pertains to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must diligently research and compare each school before making your final selection. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the ideal program for you. And with the proper training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Athens TN.

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