Choosing a Phlebotomy Training Program near Decatur Tennessee

Selecting the ideal phlebotomy technician training near Decatur TN is an essential initial step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult undertaking to evaluate and compare all of the school alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you do your due diligence to ensure that you receive a quality education. In reality, many potential students start the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Another factor you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll review more about online classes later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and need to be part of your selection process as well. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you select the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomist Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their main function, there is in fact far more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork must be accurately filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory testing process. The phlebotomist then transports 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. A number of Decatur TN phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are responsible for ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly using the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they might be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The most basic answer is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are many and varied, such as Decatur TN hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a particular kind of patient. For instance, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be collecting blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Certification and Licensing

There are basically two kinds of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Decatur TN, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to complete and provides a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they typically take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program furnish a more expansive background in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. Although not required in the majority of states, most employers look for certification before hiring technicians. A few of the primary certifying organizations include:

• National Phlebotomy Association
• National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
• American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
• American Medical Technologists (AMT)

There are some states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, such as California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a superior education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Schools

To start with, let’s resolve one likely mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant portion of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Decatur TN healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-practical component of the training may be attended online, it could be a more practical option for some students. As an additional benefit, some online colleges are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some expenses, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered also. Just verify that the online phlebotomy school you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a quality education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the right option for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Since you now have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Tennessee school is relevant in addition to the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy school. All of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for picking a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you need to ask about all of the Decatur TN colleges you are reviewing prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed before working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomist program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Tennessee or the state where you will be working and readies you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you select should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a premium education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are typically not available for non-accredited colleges in Decatur TN. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check out the reputations of all schools you are reviewing. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also contact a few Decatur TN local clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and ask if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can check with the Tennessee school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Included? To begin with, contact the Tennessee regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Decatur TN phlebotomist program that you are looking at should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask the Tennessee programs you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with area healthcare facilities. They are the ideal way to get hands-on clinical training frequently not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local Decatur TN healthcare community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Finding your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the Decatur TN health care community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to confirm that the ultimate college you select provides classes at times that will accommodate your hectic schedule. This is especially important if you opt to continue working while going to college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Decatur TN, make certain they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is should you have to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's advantageous to consider questions you could be asked. One of the things that interviewers frequently ask Phlebotomist prospects is "What made you choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not merely the private reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what characteristics and skills you have that make you exceptional at your profession. You will probably be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of standard interview questions, so you should organize a number of strategies about how you would like to answer them. Since there are so many variables that go into selecting a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the work appeals to you as well as the strengths you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Technician and the best choice for the position. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but take down several ideas and anecdotes that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample answers can assist you to formulate your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.

Select the Ideal Phlebotomy Program near Decatur TN

Making sure that you enroll in the most suitable phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this rewarding medical care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior school. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are found in a wide range of academic institutes, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide array of courses in medical care and health sciences. Course offerings may differ somewhat across the country as every state has its own mandates when it concerns phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must carefully screen and compare each school prior to making your final choice. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the right program for you. And with the appropriate education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Decatur TN.

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