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

Perhaps the most important decision you must make to enter the fulfilling medical vocation of phlebotomy is to select the best phlebotomy school near Georgetown TX. It might seem like a daunting undertaking to evaluate and compare each of the school options that are available to you. Notwithstanding, to ensure that you receive a quality education you must perform a detailed audit prior to making your decision. Quite often the two requirements that initially are considered by prospective students are the location of the school and the cost of tuition. Yet another option you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. Online schools will be discussed in more detail a bit later. What you need to keep in mind is that there is much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Finding out if the program is accredited or if the school has a job placement program must also be part of your evaluation process. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you select the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let's address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online classes.

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Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The quickest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are numerous and diverse, including Georgetown TX hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a specific type of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Certification and Licensing

There are basically 2 kinds of programs that offer phlebotomist training, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to complete and furnishes a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they normally take two years to complete. Bachelor's Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program offer a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will probably want to be certified. While not required in the majority of states, a number of Georgetown TX 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 several states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, including Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it's imperative that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a premium education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Certificates and Degrees

To begin with, let's resolve one possible misconception. You can't obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial portion of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility. Numerous courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-practical component of the training may be attended online, it can be a more practical alternative for some Georgetown TX students. As an added benefit, many online programs are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced 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 comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a premium education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the best choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Now that you have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, 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 previously mentioned, the location of the school is significant if you will be commuting from Georgetown TX in addition to the tuition expense. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an accredited online phlebotomy college. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the process for choosing a phlebotomy school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are several questions that you should ask about all of the schools you are considering prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Texas? As earlier discussed, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed before working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it's extremely important to select a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for Texas or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a respected 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 school aside from an assurance of a quality education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the Georgetown TX job market.

What is the College's Ranking? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those 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 start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place 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 several Georgetown TX clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and see if they can provide any insights. As a final 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? First, check with the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any phlebotomy program that you are looking at should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Ask the schools you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional healthcare facilities. They are the ideal way to receive hands-on clinical training often not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Georgetown TX health care community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Finding your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the schools you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it's an indication that the college has both a good reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the Georgetown TX healthcare community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it's important to verify that the final school you pick provides classes at times that will accommodate your hectic schedule. This is especially true if you opt to still work while attending college. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Georgetown TX, make sure they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option as well. And 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 protocol is in case you have to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

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Choose the Right Georgetown Phlebotomist Training Program

Making certain that you select the most suitable phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare field. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are available in a wide range of academic institutes, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive assortment of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings can 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 carefully screen and compare each school prior to making your ultimate decision. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the ideal phlebotomist program for you. And with the appropriate training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Georgetown Texas.

 

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