Choosing a Phlebotomy School near Clarksville Tennessee

Choosing the right phlebotomy training near Clarksville TN is an important initial step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging task to assess and compare each of the training alternatives that are available to you. However it’s important that you do your due diligence to ensure that you get a superior education. In reality, most prospective students begin the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Another option you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll review a bit more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and must be part of your decision process too. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing 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 resume our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomist Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their principal duty, there is actually far more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to confirm that the tools being utilized are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork needs to be correctly filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab 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. Many Clarksville TN phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are in charge of making sure that samples are analyzed properly utilizing the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they might be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The most basic answer is wherever there are patients. Their work places are many and varied, including Clarksville TN hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be charged to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a certain kind of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily 2 kinds of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Clarksville TN, which are degree and certificate 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 route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they usually require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program offer a more expansive foundation 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, many employers require certification prior to hiring technicians. Some of the main certifying agencies 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 in order to practice as a phlebotomist, including Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a premium education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Colleges

To start with, let’s dispel one potential misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A good portion of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Clarksville TN healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-clinical portion of the training may be attended online, it could be a more practical option for many students. As an additional benefit, some online schools are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some expenditures, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist college you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a premium education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the right choice for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Now that you have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already selected the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Tennessee college is significant as well as the tuition expense. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist college. Each of these decisions are an important component of the process for selecting a program or school. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Following are several questions that you need to ask about each of the Clarksville TN programs you are considering before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As earlier discussed, each state has its own laws 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 amount of practical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomist program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Tennessee or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you select should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a superior education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited colleges in Clarksville TN. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of any schools you are reviewing. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even contact a few Clarksville 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 complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Adequate 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. As a minimum, any Clarksville TN phlebotomy program that you are considering should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums might indicate that the program is not expansive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Ask the Tennessee colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with area health care facilities. They are the optimal means to get hands-on practical training often not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local Clarksville TN medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Finding your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are looking at 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 school has both a good reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Clarksville TN healthcare community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? Finally, it’s critical to make sure that the ultimate college you select provides classes at times that will accommodate your hectic lifestyle. This is particularly important if you opt to still work while attending college. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Clarksville TN, make certain they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option also. Even if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is in case you have to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you might be asked. One of the things that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What made you select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not just the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what attributes and talents you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of standard interview questions, so you must ready several strategies about how you want to answer them. Given that there are several variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this primary question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession interests you in addition to the talents you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Technician and the perfiect choice for the job. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but take down some concepts and topics that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample responses can help you to prepare your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.

Choose the Best Phlebotomist College near Clarksville TN

Making certain that you select the most suitable phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomy training programs can be offered in a variety of educational institutes, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive range of courses in medical care and health sciences. Training program offerings may differ slightly from state to state 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 thoroughly screen and compare each school before making your final decision. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the right college for you. And with the proper education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Clarksville TN.

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