Congratulations on your decision to become a Phlebotomist! I have been a Phlebotomist for the past 6 years and absolutely love my job! I created this site to ensure that anyone that wants to become a Phlebotomist doesn’t have to go through all the trouble I went through to become one. I have carefully selected all the schools on this site to only list the Top Phlebotomy Training Programs in the U.S. based upon my strict criteria such as financial help, academic rating and career advice and support.
As Phlebotomists we work in hospitals, health clinics and laboratories to draw blood from patients for various testing purposes. Most states do not require phlebotomy technicians to be licensed or certified; California, Louisiana and Nevada are the only states with any sort of regulations governing the education, training, experience and certification requirements of phlebotomists. However, in order to get a higher paying salary, you should highly consider getting the right phlebotomy education in Knoxville TN. Requirements vary by employer; qualifications range from a high school diploma to completion of a training program and voluntary certification.
Is a High School Diploma or GED Equivalent Enough to Work as a Phlebotomist?
Phlebotomists in Knoxville TN are typically required to have a high school diploma or GED equivalent. Secondary students interested in a phlebotomy career should take classes in biology, chemistry, health, mathematics and English. Students should also consider taking courses in a foreign language; bilingual healthcare workers are increasingly in demand.
Phlebotomy Training Program in Knoxville TN
Most employers and institutions that grant phlebotomy certification require applicants to attend a professional phlebotomy-training program. Programs are available at community colleges and vocational/technical learning centers. Program lengths vary; a lot of my colleges listed, report their program take as little as two semesters of part-time attendance to complete. That is amazing! According to Education-Portal.com, phlebotomy students are typically trained in phlebotomy medical terminology, CPR, patient interaction principles, legal aspects of blood collection, introduction to phlebotomy clinical practices and blood collection techniques.
On-the-Job Experience
Phlebotomists with on-the-job training may obtain certification if they desire. The American Society for Clinical Pathology, headquartered in Chicago, certifies phlebotomists who have a high school diploma and at least one year of full-time (minimum 35 hours per week) experience working as a phlebotomy technician in an accredited laboratory regulated by Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA). Applicants must have worked in a lab within the five years prior to their application for certification, and have experience performing venipunctures and skin punctures.
Phlebotomy Certification Knoxville TN
Phlebotomists can earn a phlebotomy technician certification through three additional certifying bodies: the American Medical Technologists, the American Association of Bioanalysts and the National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel. General requirements are a high school diploma or GED equivalent, completion of a formal training program in phlebotomy, extensive work experience in phlebotomy or certification in another clinical medical specialty, and passing a certification exam.
Some of my schools listed were featured as the Top Colleges in Phlebotomy Training for 2011. Feel free to click on their links for additional information or email me if you have questions. Good luck and enjoy your phlebotomy instruction in Knoxville TN.