Picking a Phlebotomy School near Ripley Tennessee

Selecting the right phlebotomist training near Ripley TN is an essential initial step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult undertaking to evaluate and compare each of the school options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you do your due diligence to make sure that you get a superior education. In reality, many prospective students start the process by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another factor you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll discuss more about online classes later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and must be part of your selection process also. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you select the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomy Technician Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their principal duty, 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 sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork needs to be correctly filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab testing procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Ripley TN phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are accountable for making certain that samples are tested properly utilizing the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they may be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The easiest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their workplaces are many and diverse, including Ripley TN hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be charged to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing blood from a specific kind of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be drawing blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily two kinds of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Ripley TN, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to finish and offers a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest method 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 phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they normally require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program offer a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will probably want to be certified. Although not mandated in most states, a number of employers require certification prior to hiring technicians. Some 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 several states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, such as Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a premium education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Classes

First, let’s dispel one possible mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial component of the course of study will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Ripley 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-clinical part of the training can be accessed online, it might be a more convenient alternative for many students. As an added benefit, a number of online programs are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some expenditures, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy school you select is accredited by a regional or national 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 attaining your degree or certificate online may be the ideal option for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Now that you have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already selected the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Tennessee college is relevant as well as the tuition expense. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomy online college. Each of these decisions are an important part of the process for picking a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are some questions that you should ask about each of the Ripley TN programs you are considering before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for Tennessee or the state where you will be working and prepares you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you pick should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a superior education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination 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 schools in Ripley TN. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of all schools you are looking at. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can research online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also talk to a few Ripley TN local clinics or hospitals that you might 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 ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Adequate Training Provided? To begin with, contact the Tennessee regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Ripley TN phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Find out from the Tennessee programs you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with regional health care facilities. They are the optimal way to obtain hands-on practical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Ripley TN medical community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Landing your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the schools you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Ripley TN healthcare community.

Are Class Times Available as Needed? Finally, it’s crucial to verify that the ultimate college you pick offers classes at times that will accommodate your busy lifestyle. This is particularly important if you choose to still work while going to college. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Ripley TN, make certain 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 study 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 in case you need to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's important to consider questions you may be asked. Among the things that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomy Tech candidates is "What made you select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not just the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but also what qualities and talents you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will probably be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of typical interview questions, so you should prepare a number of strategies about how you would like to address them. Considering there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the work appeals to you along with the strengths you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the ideal candidate for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but jot down a few concepts and anecdotes that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample responses can assist you to prepare your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.

Enroll in the Right Phlebotomy School near Ripley TN

Making certain that you enroll in the most suitable phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are available in a number of educational institutes, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide array of courses in medical care and health sciences. Course offerings may vary somewhat from state to state as every state has its own requirements when it concerns phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to thoroughly screen and compare each college before making your final selection. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the right program for you. And with the appropriate training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Ripley TN.

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