How to Choose the Right Phlebotomy Training Program near Atwood Tennessee
Choosing the ideal phlebotomy technician training near Atwood TN is an essential initial step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting task to evaluate and compare all of the training alternatives that are available to you. However it’s important that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you receive a quality education. In reality, a large number of potential students start the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another factor you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll review more about online classes later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your selection process as well. 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 choose the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online schools.
Request Free Information on Phlebotomy Training Near You!
Should You Become a Plebotomist?
Right out of the gate, not many people probably know what a phlebotomy tech or phlebotomist is. The short answer is a health care professional who draws blood from patients. We will go into more depth later. So of course anyone who chooses this profession must be able to handle needles and blood. And if you are anxious in hospitals or other Atwood TN medical environments, well this job may not be the best choice for you. And now let’s talk about the patients. Phlebotomy Technicians tend to work with anxious people who don’t like needles or having a blood sample taken. And because many medical facilities are open 24 hours, you may be required to work weekends, nights and, you guessed it even on holidays. But if you don’t mind working with the blood and needles, and if you enjoy interacting with people and are compassionate and very patient, this could be the perfect job for you.
Click Here to Get Free Information on Phlebotomy Training Near You!
Phlebotomy Technician Work Summary
A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their principal responsibility, there is actually so much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the tools being utilized are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork must be correctly filled out to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab testing process. The phlebotomist then transports 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. Some phlebotomists in fact work in Atwood TN laboratories and are accountable for making certain that samples are analyzed properly under the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they can be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.
Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?
The easiest response is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are many and varied, such as Atwood TN hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be charged to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a particular 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 collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists 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.
Phlebotomist Training, Licensing and Certification
There are basically 2 kinds of programs that provide phlebotomist training, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to complete and furnishes a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they typically require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program offer a more extensive background in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. Although not required in the majority of states, most Atwood TN employers look for certification before employing technicians. Some of the principal 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 call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, such as California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a superior education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.
Online Phlebotomy Training
To start with, let’s dispel one likely misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial part of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility. Many courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-practical portion of the training may be attended online, it can be a more convenient alternative for some Atwood TN students. As an added benefit, many online schools are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some costs, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy program you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a superior education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online might be the best choice for you.
Subjects to Ask Phlebotomist Schools
Now that you have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already decided on the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the college is relevant if you will be commuting from Atwood TN in addition to the tuition expense. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an accredited phlebotomist online program. Each of these decisions are an important component of the process for picking a phlebotomy school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are some questions that you need to ask about all of the colleges you are considering before making your ultimate selection.
Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Tennessee? As earlier discussed, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might have 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 working and prepares you for all examinations you may have to take.
Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited program 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 previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited schools. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to potential employers in the Atwood TN job market.
What is the School’s Ranking? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of all schools you are considering. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen internet school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even contact a few Atwood TN hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and see if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can check with the Tennessee school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.
Is Ample Training Provided? First, contact the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums might indicate that the program is not expansive enough to provide adequate training.
Are Internships Sponsored? Find out from the programs you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with local medical facilities. They are the ideal way to receive hands-on practical training frequently not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Atwood TN healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.
Is Job Placement Help Available? Getting your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation together with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Atwood TN health care community.
Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s important to confirm that the final college you select provides classes at times that are compatible with your hectic lifestyle. This is especially true if you opt to continue working while going to college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Atwood TN, make certain they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option as well. And if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is should you need to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.
Phlebotomy Technician School Atwood TN
4 Week Drawing Blood Training Atwood Tennessee
Making sure that you enroll in the ideal phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be available in a wide range of academic institutes, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive array of courses in medical care and health sciences. Training program options may vary slightly across the country as every state has its own requirements when it comes to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must thoroughly research and compare each school before making your final choice. You originally came to this website due to an interest in 4 Week Drawing Blood Training and to get more information regarding Weekend Phlebotomy Tech Associates Degrees. However, by asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the ideal phlebotomy college for you. And with the appropriate training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Atwood TN.
More Tennessee Bloody Wonderful Locations
Atwood, Tennessee
At the 2000 census,[3] there were 1,000 people, 430 households and 304 families residing in the town. The population density was 525.7 per square mile (203.2/km²). There were 460 housing units at an average density of 241.8 per square mile (93.5/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 83.00% White, 15.90% African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.30% from other races, and 0.70% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.80% of the population.
There were 430 households of which 24.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.2% were married couples living together, 11.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.3% were non-families. 27.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.82.
20.5% of the population were under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 25.6% from 25 to 44, 26.9% from 45 to 64, and 18.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.0 males.
Business Results 1 - 10 of 0
