How to Enroll in the Best Phlebotomy Tech Training Course near Eads Tennessee
Selecting the right phlebotomist training near Eads TN is an essential first step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging undertaking to evaluate and compare all of the training options that are available to you. However it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you receive a quality education. In reality, most potential students begin their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another factor you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll discuss more about online schools later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and should be part of your decision process also. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you select the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online classes.
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Should You Train to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?
Right out of the gate, not many people are likely to know what a phlebotomist or phlebotomy technician is. The short definition is a health care professional who draws blood from patients. We will provide more details later. So of course anyone who decides to enter this profession must be OK around blood and needles. And if you are nervous in hospitals or other Eads TN medical environments, well this job may not be the best choice for you. And now let’s talk about the patients. Phlebotomy Techs often work with anxious people who don’t like needles or having their blood drawn. And because many medical facilities are open around the clock, you will probably be expected to work weekends, nights and even on holidays. But if you can handle the hours and the needles and blood, and if you enjoy interacting with people and are patient and compassionate, this could be the right profession for you.
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Phlebotomy Tech Work Description
A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their main function, there is in fact much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to confirm that the tools being employed are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork needs to be correctly completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of phlebotomists in fact work in Eads TN laboratories and are accountable for ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly under the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they might be asked to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.
Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?
The simplest answer is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are numerous and diverse, such as Eads TN medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a specific type of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be drawing blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients every day.
Phlebotomist Training, Licensing and Certification
There are basically two types of programs that furnish phlebotomy training, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to complete and offers a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they usually require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program furnish a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will probably want to get certified. While not required in most states, most Eads TN employers require certification prior to hiring technicians. A few of the primary 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 require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, including California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a premium education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.
Phlebotomist Online Colleges
First, let’s resolve one likely misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant portion of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved healthcare facility or an on-campus lab. A large number of courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical portion of the training may be accessed online, it can be a more convenient alternative for some Eads TN students. As an additional benefit, many online schools are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some expenditures, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy college you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a quality education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the right option for you.
Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges
Since you now have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the kind 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 Eads TN as well as the tuition expense. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an accredited phlebotomist online program. All of these decisions are an important part of the process for selecting a phlebotomy school or program. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Following are several questions that you should ask about all of the colleges you are reviewing before making your ultimate decision.
Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Tennessee? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states require certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may need 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 preps you for all examinations you may be required to take.
Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you enroll in should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting organization, for example 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 quality education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited programs. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to future employers in the Eads TN job market.
What is the School’s Ranking? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of all schools you are considering. 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 reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also talk to a few Eads TN hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and see if they can provide any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the Tennessee school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.
Is Adequate Training Provided? First, contact the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any phlebotomist program that you are considering should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide adequate training.
Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask the programs you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with area medical facilities. They are the ideal way to get hands-on practical training often not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Eads TN medical community. And they look good on resumes also.
Is Job Placement Help Offered? Finding your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation together with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Eads TN healthcare community.
Are Class Times Available as Needed? Finally, it’s important to make sure that the ultimate college you select offers classes at times that will accommodate your busy lifestyle. This is especially true if you decide to continue working while attending school. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Eads TN, make certain they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option as well. And if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is should you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.
Phlebotomy Community College Eads TN
Weekend Phlebotomy Technician Training Eads Tennessee
Making sure that you choose the most suitable phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare field. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomy training programs are found in a wide range of educational institutes, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program options may vary a bit from state to state as each state has its own requirements when it pertains to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must carefully screen and compare each program before making your final decision. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Weekend Phlebotomy Technician Training and to get more information regarding Local Drawing Blood Associates Degrees. However, by addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the right phlebotomy school for you. And with the appropriate education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Eads TN.
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Eads, Tennessee
Eads is an unincorporated community in Shelby County, Tennessee, United States named after Civil War engineer James Buchanan Eads. Some of Eads (and some surrounding areas) have been annexed by the city of Memphis. Some of its area is currently still unincorporated. Eads is located northeast of Germantown, west of Somerville, east of Memphis and east of Bartlett. The Eads zip code (38028) stretches into both Shelby County and Fayette County, including parts of Hickory Withe and Fisherville. Major roads in the community include Winfield Dunn Parkway (Interstate 269), U.S. Route 64, Collierville-Arlington Road/Airline Road (Tennessee State Route 205), and Seward Road.
After a seven-year court challenge to the right of Memphis to annex, small portions of Eads were annexed into the Memphis City Council Second District in 1990s. Most of Eads is now designated as being in the Memphis reserve, meaning that Memphis can annex it at some point.
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