Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Arlington Tennessee

Picking the right phlebotomy technician training near Arlington TN is a critical first step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging undertaking to assess and compare each of the school alternatives that are available to you. However it’s important that you complete your due diligence to make certain that you receive a superior education. In reality, a large number of prospective students begin their search by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Another factor you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll discuss more about online schools later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and must be part of your decision process as well. 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 pick the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomist Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their primary duty, there is actually much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the tools being employed are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork needs to be accurately completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory screening process. 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. Some Arlington TN phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are responsible for making sure that samples are analyzed correctly using the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they might be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The quickest response is wherever there are patients. Their work places are numerous and diverse, such as Arlington TN hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a particular type of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients each day.

Phlebotomist Education, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily two kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Arlington TN, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to finish and furnishes a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they normally take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program offer a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. Although not required in most states, many employers look for certification before 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 some states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, such as Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a quality education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Certificates and Degrees

To start with, let’s resolve one possible misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A good portion of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Arlington 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 prior to graduation. However since the non-practical portion of the training can be accessed online, it can be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, many online colleges are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenditures, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist school you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the best option for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Since you now have a basic idea 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 previously mentioned, the location of the Tennessee college is significant in addition to the tuition expense. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy school. All of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for selecting a program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you need to ask about all of the Arlington TN programs you are considering prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As previously mentioned, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Tennessee or the state where you will be working and preps you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you select should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of 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 qualify to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited programs in Arlington TN. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to check out the reputations of all schools you are reviewing. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job assistance program. You can screen internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even check with a few Arlington TN area hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and find out if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can check with the Tennessee school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Enough Training Provided? 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. At a minimum, any Arlington TN phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask the Tennessee schools you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with area medical facilities. They are the ideal way to receive hands-on clinical training often not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Arlington TN health care community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Landing your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Arlington TN healthcare community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s important to make sure that the final school you select provides classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is especially important if you decide to still work while attending school. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Arlington TN, make certain they are offered 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 attend online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is should you have to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomist?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's helpful to consider questions you may be asked. One of the things that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomy Tech candidates is "What drove you to choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not just the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what characteristics and talents you possess that make you good at your profession. You will probably be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of routine interview questions, so you need to organize some approaches about how you want to respond to them. Because there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the strengths you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the best candidate for the position. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but write down some concepts and talking points that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Reading through sample responses can assist you to prepare your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to wow the interviewer.

Choose the Right Phlebotomy College near Arlington TN

Making certain that you enroll in the most suitable phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomy training programs can be available in a wide range of academic institutes, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Course offerings can vary a bit across the country as each state has its own prerequisites when it pertains to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to carefully research and compare each college before making your ultimate choice. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the right college for you. And with the appropriate training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Arlington TN.

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