Choosing a Phlebotomist Training Program near Somerville Tennessee

Selecting the right phlebotomy technician school near Somerville TN is an important initial step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging task to investigate and compare each of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. However it’s important that you do your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a quality education. In fact, a large number of potential students start their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another option you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll talk more about online classes later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and should be part of your decision process too. To assist in that effort, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you select the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomist Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their main duty, there is in fact much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the instruments being employed are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample has to be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork must be accurately completed to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab testing procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Somerville TN phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are responsible for making certain that samples are analyzed properly utilizing the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they might be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The quickest answer is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are numerous and diverse, such as Somerville TN medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a particular kind of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Training, Licensing and Certification

There are basically 2 types of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Somerville TN, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to complete and provides a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they normally take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program furnish a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will probably want to become certified. Although not mandated in most states, many employers require certification prior to employing technicians. Some 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 several states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, such as California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a superior education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Classes

To start with, let’s dispel one potential mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A good part of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Somerville TN healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical portion of the training may be attended online, it can be a more practical alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, some online classes are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some costs, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a quality education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online might be the ideal option for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Since you now have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already picked the kind 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 college is significant as well as the tuition expense. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy college. All of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for picking a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you need to ask about each of the Somerville TN programs you are considering before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomist program that complies with 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 Program Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you choose should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited program aside from a guarantee of a quality education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges in Somerville TN. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to check out the reputations of any schools you are considering. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can research online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even contact some Somerville TN local clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and find out if they can offer any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the Tennessee school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Provided? First, 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. At a minimum, any Somerville TN phlebotomy program that you are looking at should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Find out from the Tennessee programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with regional health care facilities. They are the optimal means to get hands-on practical training often not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Somerville TN medical community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Offered? Getting your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a higher rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Somerville TN health care community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s important to confirm that the ultimate school you select offers classes at times that will accommodate your active lifestyle. This is especially true if you choose to continue working while attending college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Somerville TN, make sure they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option as well. And if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is in case you need to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Desire to Become a Phlebotomist?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's important to reflect on questions you might be asked. One of the things that recruiters often ask Phlebotomist prospects is "What drove you to pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not merely the private reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what attributes and abilities you possess that make you good at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of standard interview questions, so you should prepare several approaches about how you would like to respond to them. Given that there are several factors that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this primary question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you in addition to the talents you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Technician and the best choice for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but take down several concepts and anecdotes that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reading through sample responses can assist you to formulate your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Choose the Ideal Phlebotomist Program near Somerville TN

Making certain that you select the ideal phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding medical care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are available in a number of educational institutes, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Program options may vary somewhat across the country as each state has its own requirements when it comes to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must thoroughly research and compare each school prior to making your final selection. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the right college for you. And with the proper training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Somerville TN.

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