Picking a Phlebotomy Training Program near Nashville Tennessee

Choosing the ideal phlebotomist training near Nashville TN is an important initial step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult task to assess and compare each of the training alternatives that are available to you. However it’s important that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you get a superior education. In fact, most prospective students begin the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that first 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 talk a bit more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and should be part of your selection process too. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you select the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomy Tech Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their primary function, there is actually far more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the instruments being utilized are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be accurately filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory screening procedure. 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 pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Nashville TN phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are accountable for making sure that samples are analyzed properly using the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they might be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The quickest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their workplaces are numerous and varied, such as Nashville TN medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a certain type of patient. For instance, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily 2 types of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Nashville TN, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to complete and provides a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they normally require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program furnish a more extensive background in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, a number of employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. A few of the principal certifying organizations include:

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

There are several states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, such as Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a quality education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Certificates and Degrees

To begin with, let’s resolve one potential mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant part of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Nashville 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. But since the non-clinical component of the training may be accessed online, it could be a more practical option for some students. As an added benefit, a number of online colleges are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenditures, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy college you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the right choice for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Since you now have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the kind 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 significant as well as the tuition expense. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy school. All of these decisions are a critical part of the process for picking a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are a few questions that you need to ask about all of the Nashville TN colleges you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate decision.

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

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you select should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a quality education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Nashville TN. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to check the reputations of any colleges you are considering. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job assistance program. You can research online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also contact some Nashville TN local clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and find out if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the Tennessee school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Included? First, contact the Tennessee regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Nashville TN phlebotomy program that you are looking at should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Find out from the Tennessee colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with area healthcare facilities. They are the ideal means to get hands-on clinical training frequently not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Nashville TN healthcare community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Landing your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Nashville TN medical community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s crucial to make sure that the final college you pick offers classes at times that will accommodate your active lifestyle. This is especially true if you decide to still work while going to college. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Nashville TN, check that they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option also. And if you have decided to attend online, with the practical 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 because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's helpful to review questions you could be asked. Among the questions that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What compelled you to decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not only the private reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what attributes and abilities you have that make you good at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of standard interview questions, so you need to organize several strategies about how you would like to answer them. Considering there are so many variables that go into selecting a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you in addition to the abilities you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Tech and the perfiect candidate for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but write down several concepts and talking points that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample responses can help you to develop your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.

Find the Right Phlebotomist College near Nashville TN

Making certain that you pick the ideal phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare career position. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be available in a number of educational institutions, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive assortment of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program options can differ slightly from state to state as every state has its own mandates when it concerns phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to carefully evaluate and compare each college prior to making your ultimate selection. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the right college for you. And with the appropriate training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Nashville TN.

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