Phlebotomist Programs
How to Pick the Best One Near Harlingen Texas 

Perhaps the most important decision you must make to enter the rewarding healthcare profession of phlebotomy is to select the right phlebotomy training near Harlingen TX. There are many training programs available to you and it may seem like an intimidating task to research and compare each one. However it's vital that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a quality education. Quite often the two requirements that initially are considered by prospective students are the location of the school and the cost of tuition. Another factor you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We'll talk more about online classes later in this article. So when assessing phlebotomy training courses, cost and location shouldn’t be the only criteria you are looking at. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and should be part of your decision process as well. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you pick the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let's address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online training.

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

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The quickest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are many and diverse, such as Harlingen TX hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a particular type of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Training, Certification and Licensing

There are basically 2 types of programs that provide phlebotomist training, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to complete and furnishes a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it's not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they usually require two years to complete. Bachelor's Degrees are not as available and as a four year program offer a more extensive background in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, most Harlingen TX employers require certification prior to hiring technicians. Some of the key certifying agencies include:

• National Phlebotomy Association
• National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
• American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
• American Medical Technologists (AMT)

There are a few states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, like Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it's important that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a quality education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Schools

To begin with, let's dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can't obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial component of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be performed 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-clinical portion of the training may be attended online, it might be a more practical option for many Harlingen TX students. As an additional benefit, many online classes are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some expenses, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy program you enroll in 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 superior education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the best choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomy Certificate or Degree Programs

Since you now have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it's time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already decided on 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 school is relevant if you will be commuting from Harlingen TX in addition to the cost of tuition. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an accredited online phlebotomy program. All of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for picking a phlebotomy program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Following are some questions that you should ask about all of the programs you are considering prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Texas? As mentioned previously, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed before working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it's very important to select a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Texas or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you choose should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a premium education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are often not available for non-accredited programs. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the Harlingen TX job market.

What is the Program's Ranking? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it's important to check out the reputations of any colleges you are considering. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also contact some Harlingen TX hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and find out if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the Texas school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges 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 length of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums might indicate that the program is not expansive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask the colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with local health care facilities. They are the optimal way to get hands-on clinical training often not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Harlingen TX health care community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Landing your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Find out if the colleges you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it's an indication that the college has both a good reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Harlingen TX health care community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it's crucial to make sure that the ultimate program you select provides classes at times that will accommodate your hectic lifestyle. This is particularly important if you opt to still work while attending school. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Harlingen TX, make certain they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option also. 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 policy 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 Program

Making certain that you pick the ideal phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomist training programs can be available in a wide range of academic institutions, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings can vary a bit from state to state as every state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to thoroughly evaluate and compare each school before making your ultimate choice. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the ideal phlebotomy program for you. And with the appropriate education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Harlingen Texas.

 

Harlingen Phlebotomy Courses | Harlingen Phlebotomy Certificate