Photo Caption: Front row - Pictured, left to right: Sarah Curtis, RxTN program coordinator; Jeanna Finch, RxTN data clerk; Amy Bridges, Columbia State phlebotomy instructor and MRMC laboratory coordinator; Heather Lynch, RxTN completion coach. Back row - Pictured, left to right: Kae Fleming, Columbia State dean of health sciences; Tabitha Hinson, Hohenwald; Sonda Cline, Pulaski; Jessica Farmer, Spring Hill; Amy Gaskins, Columbia; Jackie Payne, Summertown; Tanisha Hicks, Waynesboro; Kelli Smith, Pulaski; and Jennifer Tidwell, Lawrenceburg. Students who completed the program but are not pictured include Michelle Boshers, Mt. Pleasant; Dawn Renee Eaton, Columbia; Racheal Wallace, Columbia; and Christy White, Lawrenceburg.

(COLUMBIA, Tenn. - Feb. 12, 2014) - - - Columbia State Community College's new RxTennessee federal grant program, in collaboration with the Center for Workforce Development, recognized the first class of certified phlebotomy technicians in a pinning ceremony at the Columbia campus Tuesday, Feb. 4.

"We got to know each of the students personally and learned what each of them sacrificed to make it through this program," said Sarah Curtis, RxTN program coordinator. "I commend each student for their hard work and tenacity. They have truly earned their certification."

Phlebotomy technicians specialize in drawing blood and work in a variety of health care systems and organizations, and certification adds credibility and a competitive edge for applicants. Each student completed 48 hours of classroom instruction along with 13 days of on-site, clinical experience.

In launching the phlebotomy training opportunity, Columbia State partnered with Maury Regional Medical Center for student access to clinical practice at facilities throughout the area. Amy Bridges, MRMC laboratory coordinator, was hired by Columbia State to facilitate the course.

Bridges prepared the class with rigorous content review and practice exams in preparation for the National Healthcareer Association certification exam. The new program boasts a 100 percent first-attempt pass rate on the nationally recognized exam, and some of the students have already been hired by local hospitals and labs.

After pinning each student, Bridges said she applauded their courage and told them to "hold true to yourself; remember to hold on to your values, your work ethic, and most importantly, your humanity."

"It was such a good experience taking the phlebotomy class at Columbia State," said Jackie Payne, phlebotomy graduate. "Ms. Bridges made it interesting and was an encouragement to us all."

Through the grant, RxTN is able to provide relevant training for careers in health care to meet industry demands, serve dislocated and underemployed citizens, and support access and supply tools for success.

The program is designed to increase student success in health care programs and provides many free services to RxTN students, including advising, health care workshops, time management and study skills, career assessment, degree plan preparation, and skills coaching.

The new training courses available through RxTN include phlebotomy technician, ECG/EKG technician and certified clinical medical assistant. Students who finish the series of three courses will be eligible for CCMA certification upon completion. RxTN also provides in-demand programs that offer an Associate of Applied Science degree in medical informatics, health sciences and LPN to RN Bridge.

RxTN delivers programming through a partnership of Tennessee's Community Colleges and Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology. The multi-year grant incorporates strong implementation and outcomes evaluation along with targeted performance measures for the Department of Labor, the project grantor.

For more information about the programs offered, email rxtn@columbiastate.edu, or call (931) 540-2660. Learn more about the RxTN credit program options and workforce credentials at http://www.columbiastate.edu/rx-tennessee .

Photo Caption: Left to right: Amy Bridges and Amy Gaskins, Columbia.

Photo Caption: Left to right: Amy Bridges and Jackie Payne, Summertown.

Photo Caption: Left to right: Amy Bridges and Jennifer Tidwell, Lawrenceburg.

Photo Caption: Left to right: Jessica Farmer, Spring Hill, and Amy Bridges.

Photo Caption: Left to right: Amy Bridges and Kelli Smith, Pulaski.

Photo Caption: Left to right: Sonda Cline, Pulaski, and Amy Bridges.

Photo Caption: Left to right: Amy Bridges and Tabitha Hinson, Hohenwald.

Photo Caption: Left to right: Amy Bridges and Tanisha Hicks, Waynesboro.

Rx Tennessee is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration to Roane State Community College, co-grantee Tennessee Board of Regents community colleges, and Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology. Columbia State Community College is a consortium member for this project which is funded by 100 percent federal funding in the amount of $12.6M. Columbia State is a TBR and AA/EEO employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age in its programs and activities. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Director of Human Resources/Affirmative Action, 276 Patton Lane, Harriman, TN 37748, (865) 882-4679, humanresources@roanestate.edu and Director of Human Resources/Affirmative Action, Columbia State, 1665 Hampshire Pike, Columbia, TN 38401, (931) 540-2521.

Columbia State is a two-year college, serving a nine-county area in southern Middle Tennessee with locations in Columbia, Franklin, Lawrenceburg, Lewisburg and Clifton. As Tennessee's first community college, Columbia State is committed to increasing access and enhancing diversity at all five campuses. Columbia State is a member of the Tennessee Board of Regents, the sixth largest higher education system in the nation. For more information, please visit www.columbiastate.edu.

Tennessee's Community Colleges is a system of 13 colleges offering a high-quality, affordable, convenient and personal education to prepare students to achieve their educational and career goals in two years or less. We offer associate degree and certificate programs, workforce development programs and transfer pathways to four-year degrees. For more information, please visit us online at tncommunitycolleges.org.