Selecting a Phlebotomy Training Program near Brentwood Tennessee

Picking the ideal phlebotomy school near Brentwood TN is an essential first step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging task to analyze and compare all of the training options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you receive a superior education. In reality, most potential students start the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional option you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your selection 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 reviewing 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 conversation about online training.

Phlebotomy Technician Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their primary duty, there is actually much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to confirm that the tools being utilized are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork must be properly filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory screening process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Brentwood TN phlebotomists actually work in labs and are in charge of ensuring that samples are tested correctly utilizing the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they might be required to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The most basic answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are many and varied, such as Brentwood TN medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a specific kind of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients every day.

Phlebotomist Education, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially two types of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Brentwood TN, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to finish and furnishes a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they normally take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program provide a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will probably want to become certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, most employers require certification before employing technicians. A few of the key certifying organizations include:

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

There are a few states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, including Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a premium education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Schools

To begin with, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A good component of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Brentwood TN healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-clinical portion of the training can be attended online, it can be a more practical option for some students. As an added benefit, some online classes are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some costs, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a quality education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the ideal option for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Since you now have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already picked the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Tennessee school is important as well as the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online college. Each of these decisions are an important component of the process for picking a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you should ask about all of the Brentwood TN schools you are looking at before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for Tennessee or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you pick should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a premium education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are often unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Brentwood TN. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to check the reputations of any colleges you are considering. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also check with a few Brentwood TN local clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and see if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can check with the Tennessee school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Included? To begin with, check with 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 clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Brentwood TN phlebotomy program that you are considering should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out from the Tennessee colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with area health care facilities. They are the ideal way to receive hands-on clinical training often not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Brentwood TN medical community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Offered? Landing your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the programs you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a higher rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Brentwood TN healthcare community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to confirm that the final school you choose offers classes at times that will accommodate your active lifestyle. This is particularly true if you decide to continue working while going to college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Brentwood 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 sure 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 because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's important to review questions you might be asked. One of the things that recruiters often ask Phlebotomy Tech prospects is "What made you select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not only the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what attributes and skills you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of typical interview questions, so you must ready a number of approaches about how you want to address them. Because there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession appeals to you as well as the strengths you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Technician and the best candidate for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but take down a few ideas and talking points that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample answers can help you to develop your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to wow the interviewer.

Find the Best Phlebotomy School near Brentwood TN

Making sure that you choose the right phlebotomist 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 superior school. Phlebotomist training programs are offered in a wide range of academic institutions, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive array of courses in medical care and health sciences. Course offerings may vary somewhat from state to state as each state has its own requirements when it pertains to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to carefully screen and compare each program before making your final decision. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the ideal program for you. And with the appropriate training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Brentwood TN.

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