Phlebotomist Training Schools
How to Pick the Right One Near Duncanville Texas 

Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomy school near Duncanville TX is an important initial step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult undertaking to investigate and compare all of the school options that are available to you. However it's necessary that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a quality education. In fact, a large number of students begin the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. And if you will drive to classes or participate online is another consideration as well. Online courses will be covered in greater detail a bit later. So when assessing phlebotomist training programs, cost and location shouldn’t be the only criteria you are looking at. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and must be part of your decision process as well. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you select the right one for you. But before we do that, let's address education options, licensing and certification, and online classes.

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Phlebotomist Education, Certification and Licensing

There are basically two kinds of programs that provide phlebotomist training, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to complete and offers 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, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they normally take 2 years to finish. Bachelor's Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program offer a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will probably want to get certified. While not required in the majority of states, many Duncanville TX employers look for certification before hiring technicians. A few of the primary 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 require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, like Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it's essential that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a superior education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Classes

First, let's dispel one likely misconception. You can't get all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant component of the course of study will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility. Many courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-clinical portion of the training may be accessed online, it may be a more convenient alternative for many Duncanville TX students. As an additional benefit, a number of online classes are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some expenses, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist school 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 dedicated enough to study at home, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the ideal option for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Now that you have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it's time to initiate 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 campus is significant if you will be commuting from Duncanville TX as well as the cost of tuition. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an accredited phlebotomy online college. All of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for picking a phlebotomy program or school. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you should ask about all of the colleges you are considering prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Texas? As previously mentioned, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states require certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it's extremely important to choose a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for Texas or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for any examinations you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a premium education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are often unavailable for non-accredited programs. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more desirable to potential employers in the Duncanville TX job market.

What is the College's Ranking? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it's essential to check the reputations of all colleges you are reviewing. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their students as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even talk to several Duncanville TX clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and see if they can offer any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the Texas school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Included? To begin with, contact 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. At a minimum, any phlebotomist program that you are looking at should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internships Provided? Find out from the colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with regional medical facilities. They are the optimal way to receive hands-on clinical training often not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Duncanville TX medical community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Getting your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in jobs, it's an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Duncanville TX health care community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it's important to make sure that the ultimate program you pick provides classes at times that will accommodate your hectic schedule. This is especially important if you decide to continue working while attending school. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Duncanville TX, check that they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to study 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 as a result of emergencies or illness.

Find Out About Becoming a Phlebotomist in Duncanville

Pick the Right Duncanville Phlebotomy Training

Making sure that you choose the most suitable phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be offered in a number of academic institutes, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide array of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Course offerings may vary somewhat from state to state as each state has its own prerequisites when it concerns phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must diligently screen and compare each college prior to making your final selection. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the best phlebotomy program for you. And with the proper education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Duncanville Texas.

 

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