Choosing a Phlebotomy Training Program near Boerne Texas

Enrolling in the right phlebotomy technician school near Boerne TX is a critical initial step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult undertaking to investigate and compare each of the training alternatives that are available to you. However it’s vital that you perform your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a superior education. In reality, many prospective students start their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional factor you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk more about online schools later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and must be part of your decision process too. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you pick the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomy Tech Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their primary function, there is in fact far more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the instruments being employed are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork has to be accurately filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Boerne TX phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are responsible for ensuring that samples are tested correctly under the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they might be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The easiest response is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are many and diverse, including Boerne TX medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a particular type of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily two types of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Boerne TX, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to finish and furnishes a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they normally require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program furnish a more expansive background in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not required in the majority of states, most employers look for certification prior to employing 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 some states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, such as Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a superior education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Colleges

To start with, let’s dispel one potential mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial portion of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Boerne TX healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-practical component of the training can be accessed online, it could be a more practical option for many students. As an additional benefit, some online programs are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomy program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a quality education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the right choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Since you now have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already selected the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Texas college is significant in addition to the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist college. All of these decisions are a critical component of the process for choosing a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Following are several questions that you need to ask about each of the Boerne TX programs you are looking at prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Texas or the state where you will be working and prepares you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you select should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting organization, for example 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 quality education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are often unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Boerne TX. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of all schools you are looking at. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even talk to a few Boerne TX local clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and find out if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with the Texas school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Adequate Training Included? First, contact the Texas regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Boerne TX phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask the Texas colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with area health care facilities. They are the ideal means to obtain hands-on practical training typically not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Boerne TX medical community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Offered? Landing your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Ask if the programs you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Boerne TX medical community.

Are Class Times Available as Needed? Finally, it’s critical to confirm that the final school you choose offers classes at times that will accommodate your hectic lifestyle. This is especially true if you opt to still work while attending school. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Boerne TX, check that they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option also. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is should you have to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Choose to Become a Phlebotomist?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's a good idea to consider questions you may be asked. One of the questions that interviewers often ask Phlebotomy Tech candidates is "What drove you to choose Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not just the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what qualities and abilities you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of standard interview questions, so you need to prepare several approaches about how you would like to answer them. Because there are several variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this primary question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you along with the talents you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Technician and the perfiect candidate for the position. Don't try to memorize an answer, but jot down a few concepts and talking points that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Going over sample answers can assist you to prepare your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Select the Ideal Phlebotomy College near Boerne TX

Making certain that you choose the right phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care field. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be offered in a number of academic institutions, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide assortment of courses in medical care and health sciences. Course offerings may vary slightly from state to state as each state has its own mandates when it pertains to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to carefully screen and compare each school prior to making your final choice. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the ideal college for you. And with the appropriate education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Boerne TX.

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