Choosing a Phlebotomist School near Elizabethton Tennessee

Choosing the ideal phlebotomy school near Elizabethton TN is an important initial step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult task to evaluate and compare all of the school options that are available to you. However it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you get a superior education. In reality, most students start the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Another factor you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss more about online classes later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and must be part of your decision process also. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you pick the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomy Technician Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their principal task, there is actually far more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must check that the instruments being used are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork must be accurately filled out to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab testing process. The phlebotomist then delivers 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. A number of Elizabethton TN phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are in charge of ensuring that samples are analyzed properly utilizing the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they can be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The simplest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their workplaces are many and diverse, including Elizabethton TN hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a certain 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. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients every day.

Phlebotomist Training, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially 2 kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Elizabethton TN, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to finish and offers a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they usually require 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program offer a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. Although not required in most states, many employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. Some of the key 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 phlebotomy tech, including California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a premium education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Certificates and Degrees

To start with, let’s dispel one possible misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant portion of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Elizabethton 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. However since the non-clinical component of the training can be accessed online, it could be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an added benefit, some online classes are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy college you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a premium education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the ideal option for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Now that you have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already decided on 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 school is relevant as well as the tuition expense. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist school. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the process for choosing a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Following are several questions that you need to ask about each of the Elizabethton TN schools you are considering before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in 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 School Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you select should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited school in addition to a guarantee of a quality education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are typically not available for non-accredited schools in Elizabethton 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 Ranking? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to investigate the reputations of any colleges you are considering. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also check with a few Elizabethton TN area clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and find out if they can offer any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the Tennessee school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Provided? To begin with, contact 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 clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Elizabethton TN phlebotomy program that you are considering should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums might signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask the Tennessee colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional healthcare facilities. They are the ideal way to receive hands-on practical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Elizabethton TN health care community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Getting your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the schools you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Elizabethton TN health care community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s critical to make sure that the ultimate program you pick offers classes at times that will accommodate your active lifestyle. This is especially important if you opt to still work while attending school. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near Elizabethton TN, make sure they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option also. 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 find out what the make-up procedure is should you have to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's a good idea to review questions you may be asked. Among the questions that hiring managers frequently ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What compelled you to choose Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not just the private reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what qualities and talents you have that make you good at what you do. You will likely be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of general interview questions, so you must prepare some ideas about how you want to answer them. Considering there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the work appeals to you in addition to the talents you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomist and the best choice for the position. Don't try to memorize an answer, but jot down a few ideas and anecdotes that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Going over sample answers can assist you to develop your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.

Find the Ideal Phlebotomist Course near Elizabethton TN

Making certain that you select the ideal phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling healthcare career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomy training programs are found in a variety of academic institutions, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive range of courses in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings can vary slightly from state to state as each state has its own requirements when it comes to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to thoroughly evaluate and compare each school prior to making your ultimate choice. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the best program for you. And with the proper education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Elizabethton TN.

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