Phlebotomist Classes
How to Pick the Right One Near Harlingen Texas 

Picking the ideal phlebotomy training near Harlingen TX is a critical initial step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. There are numerous training programs available to you and it might seem like a daunting undertaking to research and compare each one. However, to ensure that you will get a first-rate education you must perform your due diligence before making your selection. More often than not the two qualifications that initially come to mind for student applicants are the location of the school and the cost of tuition. And if you will drive to classes or attend them online is another consideration as well. Online classes will be discussed in more detail a bit later. So when comparing phlebotomy training courses, location and cost shouldn’t be the sole criteria you are looking at. Researching if the program is accredited or if the school has a job placement program must also be included in your evaluation process. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you choose the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let's cover education options, licensing and certification, and online training.

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Phlebotomy Education, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily two types of programs that provide phlebotomy training, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to complete and offers a general education along with 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, even though it's not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they normally require 2 years to complete. Bachelor's Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program provide a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will probably want to be certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, most Harlingen 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 call for 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 important that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a quality education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Colleges

First, let's dispel one potential mistaken belief. You can't get all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant 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. A large number of courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-practical portion of the training may be accessed online, it might be a more practical alternative for many Harlingen TX students. As an additional benefit, many online colleges are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some expenditures, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomy college you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a superior education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the best option for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Since you now have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it's time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already selected the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the campus is important if you will be commuting from Harlingen TX as well as the tuition expense. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an accredited phlebotomist online college. All of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for choosing a phlebotomy program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are some questions that you should ask about each of the schools you are considering before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Texas? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it's extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Texas or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you pick should be accredited by a recognized national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from a guarantee of a superior education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited programs. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to potential employers in the Harlingen TX job market.

What is the School's Reputation? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it's essential to investigate the reputations of all colleges you are looking at. 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 screen online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also talk to some Harlingen TX hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and see if they can offer any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the Texas school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? To begin with, contact the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any phlebotomy program that you are considering should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internships Provided? Find out from the schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with area health care facilities. They are the optimal way to receive hands-on practical training often not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Harlingen TX health care community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Getting your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it's an indication that the program has both a good reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Harlingen TX healthcare community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it's critical to make sure that the final school you select provides classes at times that are compatible with your hectic schedule. This is especially true if you choose to still work while attending college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Harlingen TX, make sure they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option also. And if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is in case you have to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Learn More About How to Become a Phlebotomist in Harlingen

Pick the Best Harlingen Phlebotomy Training

Making certain that you pick the ideal phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare field. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomy training programs can be available in a number of academic institutes, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Program options may vary slightly from state to state as each state has its own prerequisites when it concerns phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must thoroughly research and compare each college prior to making your ultimate selection. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the right phlebotomy program for you. And with the appropriate training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Harlingen Texas.

 

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