Phlebotomist Training Programs
How to Choose the Best One Near Austin Texas 

An important first step one must take to enter the rewarding medical profession of phlebotomy is to select the best phlebotomy training near Austin TX. It may seem like a daunting task to evaluate and compare each of the school options that are accessible to you. However it's vital that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you get a quality education. In fact, a large number of potential students begin the process by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Another option you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. Online schools will be covered in greater detail a bit later. So when evaluating phlebotomy training courses, location and cost shouldn’t be the only criteria you are looking at. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and must be part of your decision process as well. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you choose the right one for you. But before we do that, let's cover education options, licensing and certification, and online classes.

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Phlebotomy Technician Training, Licensing and Certification

There are basically two kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomist training, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to complete and offers a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest means 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 to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they normally take two years to finish. Bachelor's Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program provide a more extensive background in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. While not required in most states, a number of Austin TX employers look for certification prior to employing technicians. Some of the principal certifying organizations include:

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

There are several states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, including Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it's important that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only furnishes a superior education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Certificates and Degrees

To start with, let's resolve one likely mistaken belief. You can't get all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial component of the course of study will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved healthcare facility or an on-campus lab. Many courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-clinical part of the training can be accessed online, it could be a more convenient alternative for many Austin TX students. As an added benefit, a number of online programs are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some expenses, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered also. Just verify that the online phlebotomy college you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a quality education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online may be the right choice for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Since you now have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it's time to start your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the college is relevant if you will be commuting from Austin TX in addition to the tuition expense. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an accredited phlebotomist online program. All of these decisions are a critical component of the process for choosing a phlebotomy school or program. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you need to ask about each of the schools you are considering before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed before working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it's very important to choose a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Texas or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you pick should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a premium education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are typically not available for non-accredited schools. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the Austin TX job market.

What is the School's Ranking? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it's important to check the reputations of all colleges you are looking at. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job assistance program. You can research online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also check with a few Austin TX clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and find out if they can offer any insights. As a final thought, you can check with the Texas school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? First, check with the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internships Provided? Ask the programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with local healthcare facilities. They are the ideal means to receive hands-on practical training typically not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Austin TX healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Getting your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it's an indication that the college has both a good reputation together with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Austin TX medical community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? And last, it's crucial to make sure that the final program you choose provides classes at times that are compatible with your hectic schedule. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while going to college. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Austin TX, check that they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option as well. 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 protocol is should you have to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Find Out About How to Become a Phlebotomist in Austin

Enroll in the Right Austin Phlebotomy Training

Making certain that you choose the ideal phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care field. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are offered in a number of educational institutes, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide assortment of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Course options may vary a bit across the country as each state has its own requirements when it pertains to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to carefully screen and compare each program before making your ultimate selection. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the right phlebotomist program for you. And with the appropriate training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Austin Texas.

 

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