Choosing a Phlebotomist Course near Edinburg Texas

Selecting the right phlebotomy technician school near Edinburg TX is an essential first step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting task to evaluate and compare all of the school alternatives that are available to you. However it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you receive a quality education. In fact, a large number of potential students begin their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional factor you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll review a bit more about online classes later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and should be part of your decision process also. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you choose the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomy Tech Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their main function, there is in fact much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the tools being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork has to be accurately completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Edinburg TX phlebotomists actually work in labs and are in charge of making sure that samples are analyzed properly under the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they may be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The simplest response is wherever patients are treated. Their workplaces are numerous and diverse, such as Edinburg TX hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be charged to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing blood from a specific kind of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients every day.

Phlebotomy Training, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily two types of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Edinburg TX, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to finish and provides a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they normally take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program offer a more expansive background in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will probably want to be certified. Although not required in the majority of states, many employers require certification prior to hiring technicians. Some of the main certifying agencies include:

• National Phlebotomy Association
• National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
• American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
• American Medical Technologists (AMT)

There are a few states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, including Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a premium education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Certificates and Degrees

To begin with, let’s resolve one likely mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant portion of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Edinburg TX healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-practical component of the training can be accessed online, it may be a more practical alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, many online colleges are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some expenditures, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist program you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the right option for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Since you now have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already picked the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Texas school is relevant as well as the cost of tuition. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy school. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for choosing a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you need to ask about each of the Edinburg TX colleges you are considering before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Texas? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomist program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Texas or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you pick should be accredited by a recognized national or regional accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited program aside from a guarantee of a superior education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are often not available for non-accredited schools in Edinburg TX. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s important to check the reputations of any colleges you are reviewing. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even contact a few Edinburg TX area clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and see if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can check with the Texas school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Ample Training Provided? First, check with 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. As a minimum, any Edinburg TX phlebotomy program that you are looking at should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Find out from the Texas schools you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with area healthcare facilities. They are the optimal way to get hands-on practical training frequently not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Edinburg TX health care community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Offered? Getting your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Edinburg TX health care community.

Are Class Times Available as Needed? Finally, it’s important to make sure that the final school you choose offers classes at times that are compatible with your active schedule. This is especially important if you opt to still work while going to college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Edinburg TX, check that they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option also. And if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is should you need to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's advantageous to consider questions you may be asked. Among the questions that interviewers frequently ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What compelled you to select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not just the private reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but also what attributes and skills you have that make you outstanding at your profession. You will likely be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of routine interview questions, so you must prepare some strategies about how you want to respond to them. Because there are several factors that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this primary question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you along with the abilities you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Technician and the leading candidate for the job. Don't try to memorize an answer, but jot down several concepts and anecdotes that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.

Enroll in the Best Phlebotomy Course near Edinburg TX

Making certain that you pick the most suitable phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying health care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomy training programs are available in a number of academic institutions, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide assortment of programs in medical care and health sciences. Training program options can differ a bit from state to state as every state has its own criteria when it comes to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to carefully evaluate and compare each program prior to making your final decision. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the right program for you. And with the proper education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Edinburg TX.

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