Picking a Phlebotomy Technician School near Livingston Tennessee

Choosing the right phlebotomy technician training near Livingston TN is an important initial step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging task to evaluate and compare each of the school options that are accessible to you. However it’s important that you do your due diligence to make certain that you obtain a quality education. In fact, a large number of prospective students start their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional option you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll review a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and should be part of your selection process too. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you pick the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomy Technician Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their primary task, there is actually much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to confirm that the instruments being utilized are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork needs to be correctly completed to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening process. The phlebotomist then transports 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 Livingston TN phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are responsible for making sure that samples are analyzed properly utilizing the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they may be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The simplest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are numerous and varied, such as Livingston TN hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a specific kind of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from new patients every day.

Phlebotomy Training, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily 2 kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Livingston TN, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to finish and provides a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they usually take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program furnish a more expansive background in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will probably want to be certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, most employers look for certification before hiring technicians. A few of the key 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 in order to practice as a phlebotomist, like California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a superior education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Training

To start with, let’s resolve one possible misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant portion of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Livingston TN healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-practical component of the training can be attended online, it might be a more convenient option for some students. As an additional benefit, many online programs are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some costs, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced as well. Just make certain 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 online and clinical training, you can obtain a quality education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the right option for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Since you now have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already decided on the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Tennessee college is important in addition to the cost of tuition. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist school. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the process for selecting a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are some questions that you need to ask about each of the Livingston TN schools you are considering prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Tennessee? As mentioned previously, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomist program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Tennessee or the state where you will be working and prepares you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you pick should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a superior education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are often not available for non-accredited programs in Livingston 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 Program’s Reputation? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to investigate the reputations of any schools you are reviewing. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their students as part of their job placement program. You can research online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even check with several Livingston TN local hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can offer any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the Tennessee school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Adequate Training Provided? To begin with, 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 Livingston TN phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums might indicate that the program is not expansive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Ask the Tennessee programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with regional healthcare facilities. They are the optimal way to obtain hands-on practical training frequently not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Livingston TN medical community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Getting your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation together with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Livingston TN health care community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to verify that the ultimate school you select offers classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is particularly true if you decide to continue working while going to school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Livingston TN, check that they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option as well. And if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make sure 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 as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Desire to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's important to reflect on questions you could be asked. One of the things that recruiters often ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What compelled you to select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not just the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what qualities and talents you possess that make you good at your profession. You will likely be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of standard interview questions, so you must ready several strategies about how you would like to respond to them. Given that there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you along with the abilities you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the ideal candidate for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but take down some concepts and anecdotes that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample answers can help you to develop your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to impress the recruiter.

Select the Ideal Phlebotomist Course near Livingston TN

Making sure that you pick the most suitable phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding health care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are available in a number of educational institutes, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive range of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings may differ somewhat from state to state as every state has its own requirements when it comes to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must diligently research and compare each school before making your final selection. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the ideal program for you. And with the proper training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Livingston TN.

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