Phlebotomist Training Classes
How to Enroll in the Best One Near El Paso Texas 

Perhaps the most important decision you must make to enter the gratifying healthcare vocation of phlebotomy is to choose the best phlebotomy training near El Paso TX. It might seem like a challenging task to assess and compare all of the training alternatives that are available to you. However it's necessary that you do your due diligence to ensure that you receive a quality education. Quite often the two requirements that initially are considered by student applicants are the location of the school and the cost of tuition. Yet another option you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We'll talk a bit more about online classes later in this article. So when comparing phlebotomy training programs, cost and location shouldn’t be the only parameters you are looking at. Researching if the program is accredited or if the school has a job assistance program should also be part of your evaluation process. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you select the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let's address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online classes.

It Takes Just a Few Minutes to Start Your Phlebotomy Career Below!

Phlebotomy Tech Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their principal function, there is actually so much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the instruments being employed are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient's data. Afterward, paperwork has to be properly filled out to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many phlebotomists actually work in El Paso TX laboratories and are responsible for ensuring that samples are tested properly using the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren't sufficient duties, they can be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Phlebotomist Education, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily two kinds of programs that provide phlebotomist training, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to complete and furnishes a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they normally take two years to finish. Bachelor's Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program provide a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. Although not required in the majority of states, most El Paso TX employers require certification before employing technicians. A few 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 some states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, such as California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it's important that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a superior education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Certificates and Degrees

To begin with, let's dispel one possible misconception. You can't obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A good part of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved healthcare facility or an on-campus lab. A large number of courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-practical component of the training may be accessed online, it can be a more convenient alternative for many El Paso TX students. As an additional benefit, many online programs are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some expenditures, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced also. Just verify that the online phlebotomist college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a premium education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online may be the ideal option for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Now that you have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it's time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already selected the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the college is important if you will be commuting from El Paso TX in addition to the cost of tuition. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an accredited online phlebotomist program. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the process for picking a phlebotomy school or program. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Following are a few questions that you need to ask about each of the programs you are looking at prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it's very important to choose a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for Texas or the state where you will be working and readies you for all exams you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you choose should be accredited by a recognized national or regional accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited program aside from an assurance of a premium education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited schools. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to future employers in the El Paso TX job market.

What is the School's Ranking? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it's essential to investigate the reputations of any colleges you are considering. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can research online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also talk to some El Paso TX hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and see if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the Texas school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Adequate Training Provided? To begin with, contact the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any phlebotomy program that you are looking at should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask the programs you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with local medical facilities. They are the ideal way to obtain hands-on practical training often not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local El Paso TX healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Available? Getting your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it's an indication that the school has both a good reputation together with an extensive network of professional contacts within the El Paso TX healthcare community.

Are Class Times Available as Needed? Finally, it's critical to verify that the final program you select provides classes at times that are compatible with your hectic schedule. This is particularly true if you decide to continue working while attending college. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near El Paso TX, make certain they are available at those times. Additionally, 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 clinical 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 as a result of emergencies or illness.

Get More Info on Becoming a Phlebotomist in El Paso

Enroll in the Right El Paso Phlebotomist Training Program

Making sure that you select the right phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding health care field. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomist training programs are available in a wide range of academic institutions, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive assortment of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Program offerings may vary somewhat across the country as each state has its own requirements when it pertains to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must thoroughly research and compare each school before making your final choice. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the best phlebotomist program for you. And with the proper education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in El Paso Texas.

 

El Paso Phlebotomy Courses Near Me | El Paso Phlebotomy Classes Online