Choosing a Phlebotomist Training Program near Mascot Tennessee

Picking the right phlebotomy school near Mascot TN is an important initial step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting undertaking to investigate and compare each of the training alternatives that are available to you. However it’s important that you do your due diligence to make sure that you receive a quality education. In reality, many students begin their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another factor you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and should be part of your decision process as well. Toward that end, we will provide 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 prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomist Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their main duty, there is actually so much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to confirm that the instruments being employed are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork needs to be properly filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing procedure. 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 pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Mascot TN phlebotomists actually work in labs and are accountable for ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly utilizing the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they can be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The simplest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are many and varied, including Mascot TN medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be charged to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing blood from a certain type of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Training, Licensing and Certification

There are basically two kinds of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Mascot TN, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to complete and offers a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they typically take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program furnish a more extensive background in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will probably want to be certified. Although not required in most states, most employers look for certification before employing 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 several states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, like California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a premium education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Certificates and Degrees

To start with, let’s resolve one potential mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial portion of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Mascot TN healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-practical component of the training can be attended online, it might be a more practical alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, many online colleges are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some costs, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy program you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a quality education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the right option for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Since you now have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Tennessee school is significant in addition to the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist program. All of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for picking a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you need to ask about each of the Mascot TN programs you are looking at before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Tennessee? As earlier discussed, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for Tennessee or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you choose should be accredited by a recognized 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 program aside from an assurance of a quality education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited schools in Mascot TN. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of all schools you are considering. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their students as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even talk to a few Mascot TN area clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and find out if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the Tennessee school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Included? To begin with, contact the Tennessee regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Mascot TN phlebotomy program that you are looking at should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums might signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Ask the Tennessee schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with area health care facilities. They are the ideal means to obtain hands-on clinical training often not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Mascot TN healthcare community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Offered? Finding your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the programs you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a higher rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Mascot TN healthcare community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to make sure that the final college you select offers classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is especially true if you decide to still work while attending college. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Mascot TN, make sure they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option also. And if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up procedure is in case you have to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's helpful to review questions you might be asked. One of the things that recruiters often ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What drove you to choose Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not just the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomist, but additionally what attributes and skills you have that make you good at what you do. You will likely be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of general interview questions, so you should ready a number of ideas about how you want to answer them. Considering there are several variables that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this primary question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the work appeals to you in addition to the abilities you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Technician and the ideal choice for the job. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but take down several ideas and anecdotes that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample answers can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.

Find the Ideal Phlebotomist Course near Mascot TN

Making sure that you choose the ideal phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding health care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomy training programs can be offered in a number of academic institutes, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive assortment of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Program options may vary slightly across the country as each state has its own prerequisites when it concerns phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to carefully research and compare each college prior to making your final choice. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the right college for you. And with the appropriate training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Mascot TN.

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