Choosing a Phlebotomy Training Program near Orlinda Tennessee

Picking the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Orlinda TN is an important first step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult task to assess and compare all of the training options that are available to you. However it’s vital that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a superior education. In reality, most potential students start their search by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another factor you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll review more about online classes later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and must be part of your decision process too. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you choose the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomist Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their principal duty, there is actually much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the tools being used are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork needs to be accurately completed in order 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 can be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Orlinda TN phlebotomists actually work in labs and are accountable for making sure that samples are tested correctly using the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they might be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The simplest response is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are numerous and diverse, including Orlinda 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 senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a particular kind of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Certification and Licensing

There are basically 2 types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Orlinda TN, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to finish and offers a general education together 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 phlebotomist 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 four year program furnish a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, many employers require certification before hiring technicians. Some of the principal certifying agencies 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 phlebotomist, like California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a premium education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Schools

To start with, let’s resolve one possible mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A good component of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Orlinda 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 in order to graduate. However since the non-clinical component of the training can be accessed online, it could be a more practical option for some students. As an added benefit, many online programs are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy school you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a quality education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Now that you have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already selected the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Tennessee school is important in addition to the tuition expense. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy college. All of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for selecting a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you need to ask about all of the Orlinda TN colleges you are looking at before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Tennessee? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Tennessee or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you choose should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting organization, such as 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. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges in Orlinda TN. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of any colleges you are looking at. You can start 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 reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even talk to a few Orlinda TN area clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and see if they can offer any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the Tennessee school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in total 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 length of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Orlinda TN phlebotomist program that you are looking at should furnish no less than 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 offer adequate training.

Are Internships Provided? Find out from the Tennessee schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with area medical facilities. They are the optimal means to obtain hands-on clinical training often not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Orlinda TN healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Offered? Finding your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a higher rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Orlinda TN healthcare community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to confirm that the final program you select provides classes at times that are compatible with your busy lifestyle. This is especially important if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Orlinda TN, check that they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is in case you need to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's helpful to review questions you may be asked. Among the questions that interviewers frequently ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What compelled you to select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not only the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what characteristics and skills you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of typical interview questions, so you need to prepare some strategies about how you want to respond to them. Given that there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession appeals to you in addition to the talents you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the ideal choice for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but write down a few concepts and talking points that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample responses can help you to formulate your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.

Find the Best Phlebotomist College near Orlinda TN

Making sure that you select the ideal phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomy training programs can be offered in a variety of academic institutes, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive range of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program options can vary a bit across the country as each state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to carefully screen and compare each program prior to making your final selection. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the right school for you. And with the appropriate training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Orlinda TN.

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