Choosing a Phlebotomist School near Georgetown Tennessee

Choosing the ideal phlebotomist school near Georgetown TN is an important initial step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging task to assess and compare each of the school alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to ensure that you receive a superior education. In fact, most potential students start their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Another option you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and must be part of your decision 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 pick the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomist Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their main responsibility, there is actually far more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the tools being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork must be correctly completed to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening process. The phlebotomist then delivers 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 Georgetown TN phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are in charge of ensuring that samples are tested properly utilizing the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they may be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The quickest response is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are many and varied, such as Georgetown TN hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be charged to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a particular type of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Training, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially 2 types of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Georgetown TN, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to complete and offers a general education together 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, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they usually require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program offer a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will probably want to get certified. Although not mandated in most states, many employers look for certification prior to employing technicians. A few of the main 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 phlebotomist, like Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a premium education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Certificates and Degrees

To start with, let’s resolve one potential misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant part of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Georgetown 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 part of the training can be accessed online, it could be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an added benefit, a number of online colleges are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some expenses, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a quality education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online might be the ideal option for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Since you now have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already selected the type of program you want 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 tuition expense. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online school. All of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for choosing a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Following are a few questions that you should ask about each of the Georgetown TN schools you are looking at before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Tennessee? As mentioned previously, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for Tennessee or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting organization, for example 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 be able to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited colleges in Georgetown TN. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of any colleges you are looking at. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their students as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also talk to a few Georgetown TN local hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and find out if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with the Tennessee school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Provided? First, 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 amount of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Georgetown TN phlebotomy program that you are looking at should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internships Included? Ask the Tennessee programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with area medical facilities. They are the ideal way to get hands-on practical training frequently not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Georgetown TN healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Finding your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Ask if the schools you are reviewing provide 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 together with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Georgetown TN healthcare community.

Are Class Times Available as Needed? Finally, it’s crucial to verify that the ultimate program you pick provides classes at times that are compatible with your active schedule. This is particularly true if you opt to continue working while attending college. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Georgetown TN, make sure they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option also. And if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up procedure is should you need to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Become a Phlebotomist?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's helpful to reflect on questions you might be asked. Among the things that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomy Tech prospects is "What made you pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not merely the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but also what attributes and talents you possess that make you exceptional at your profession. You will probably be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of routine interview questions, so you should prepare several ideas about how you would like to respond to them. Given that there are so many variables 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 work appeals to you in addition to the abilities you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomist and the best choice for the job. Don't try to memorize an answer, but jot down several concepts and anecdotes that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can help you to develop your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.

Select the Ideal Phlebotomy Course near Georgetown TN

Making certain that you enroll in the most suitable phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this rewarding healthcare career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomy training programs can be offered in a wide range of academic institutes, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide assortment of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Course offerings can vary a bit across the country as each state has its own requirements when it comes to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must diligently evaluate and compare each program prior to making your final choice. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the right program for you. And with the appropriate education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Georgetown TN.

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