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

Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomist training near Austin TX is a critical initial step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. There are a number of training options that are offered in your area and it might seem like a daunting task to investigate and compare each one. However, to ensure that you will get a first-rate education you must perform a detailed audit prior to making your decision. Quite often the two qualifications that initially come to mind for student applicants are the location of the school and the cost of tuition. Whether you will drive to classes or participate online is another consideration as well. We'll talk a bit more about online classes later in this article. So when assessing phlebotomy training courses, location and cost must not be the only criteria you are looking at. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and should be part of your selection 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 reviewing to help you choose the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let's address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our discussion about online schools.

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Phlebotomist Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their main responsibility, there is actually so much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the tools being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be accurately labeled with the patient's data. Next, paperwork needs to be correctly filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some phlebotomists in fact work in Austin TX laboratories and are accountable for making sure that samples are tested properly using the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren't sufficient responsibilities, they can be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Phlebotomy Education, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially two kinds of programs that offer phlebotomy training, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to complete and provides a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they usually take two years to complete. Bachelor's Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program provide a more expansive background in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will probably want to become certified. While not required in most states, a number of Austin TX employers require certification before 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 several states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, like California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it's imperative that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a premium education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Classes

To begin with, let's dispel one possible mistaken belief. You can't receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A good part of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility. A large number of courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-practical component of the training may be accessed online, it can be a more practical alternative for many Austin TX students. As an additional benefit, some online classes are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some expenditures, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a premium education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the ideal option for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Certificate or Degree Programs

Since you now have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it's time to start your due diligence process. You may have already picked the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the college is relevant if you will be commuting from Austin TX as well as the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an accredited online phlebotomist college. Each of these decisions are an important part of the process for selecting a phlebotomy program or school. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are several questions that you should ask about each of the colleges you are considering before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own regulations 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 practical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it's very important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for Texas or the state where you will be working and prepares you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you pick should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a superior education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited programs. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the Austin TX job market.

What is the Program's Ranking? In numerous 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 essential to check out the reputations of all colleges you are considering. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their students as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet 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 be interested in working for and see if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the Texas school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? First, check with the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any phlebotomist program that you are considering should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums might signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internships Included? Ask the programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with area medical facilities. They are the ideal means to receive hands-on practical training often not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Austin TX health care community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Available? Finding your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Find out if the colleges you are reviewing offer 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 program has both an excellent reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Austin TX health care community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it's critical to confirm that the final program you choose provides classes at times that will accommodate your hectic lifestyle. This is especially important if you opt to continue working while going to college. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near Austin TX, check that they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option also. And if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is in case you need to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Find Out About How to Become a Phlebotomist in Austin

Enroll in the Best Austin Phlebotomy Training

Making sure that you enroll in the ideal phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are found in a number of academic institutions, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive array of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Course offerings may differ slightly from state to state as each state has its own criteria when it pertains to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to carefully research and compare each college before making your ultimate selection. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the ideal phlebotomist school for you. And with the proper training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Austin Texas.

 

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