Phlebotomist Schools
How to Choose the Best One Near Harlingen Texas 

Selecting the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Harlingen TX is an important initial step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. There are numerous training options that are offered in your area and it might seem like a daunting undertaking to investigate and analyze each one. However it's necessary that you do your due diligence to make sure that you get a quality education. In reality, many prospective students start their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. And if you will commute to classes or attend them online is an option you need to consider as well. Online classes will be discussed in greater detail a bit later. So when comparing phlebotomy training programs, cost and location shouldn’t be the sole parameters you are looking at. Researching if the program is accredited or if the school has a job placement program should also be included in your evaluation process. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you pick the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let's cover education options, licensing and certification, and online training.

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Phlebotomist Training, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily 2 types of programs that provide phlebotomy training, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to complete and provides a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they usually take two years to complete. Bachelor's Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program furnish a more extensive background in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will probably want to get certified. While not mandated in most states, many Harlingen TX employers look for certification before employing technicians. A few of the main 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 prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, such as California and Nevada. 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 examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Colleges

First, let's dispel one possible mistaken belief. You can't get all of your phlebotomist training online. A good part of the course of study will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved healthcare facility or an on-campus lab. Numerous courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-clinical component of the training may be attended online, it might be a more practical option for some Harlingen TX students. As an added benefit, some online classes are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist school you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a quality education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the right option for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Since you now have a general 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 intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the college is relevant if you will be commuting from Harlingen TX in addition to the tuition expense. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an accredited phlebotomy online college. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the process for choosing a phlebotomy program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you should ask about each of the colleges you are reviewing before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed before working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it's very important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for Texas or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you select should be accredited by a recognized national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a quality education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the Harlingen TX job market.

What is the School's Reputation? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it's important to check the reputations of any colleges you are considering. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also talk to some Harlingen TX hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and find out if they can offer any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the Texas school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Provided? To begin with, contact the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums might indicate that the program is not expansive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Find out from the programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with regional health care facilities. They are the optimal means to obtain hands-on clinical training often not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Harlingen TX healthcare community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Getting your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it's an indication that the school has both a good reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Harlingen TX medical community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it's critical to confirm that the ultimate school you pick offers classes at times that are compatible with your busy schedule. This is particularly true if you decide to still work while attending college. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Harlingen TX, make sure they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is should you have to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Learn More About How to Become a Phlebotomist in Harlingen

Choose the Right Harlingen Phlebotomist Training

Making sure that you enroll in the ideal phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomist training programs can be available in a variety of academic institutions, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide assortment of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program offerings can vary slightly from state to state as each state has its own mandates when it comes to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must carefully research and compare each school prior to 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 ideal phlebotomist college for you. And with the proper training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Harlingen Texas.

 

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