Phlebotomist Training Schools
How to Enroll in the Right One Near Highland Village Texas 

Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomist school near Highland Village TX is a critical initial step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. There are many training programs that are offered in your area and it may seem like a daunting undertaking to investigate and compare each one. However, to guarantee that you will get a quality education you must perform your due diligence before making your decision. In reality, many potential students begin the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. And if you will commute to classes or attend them online is an option you need to consider as well. We'll discuss more about online schools later in this article. So when evaluating phlebotomist training programs, location and cost must not be the only parameters 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 furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you pick the best one for you. But before we do that, let's address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online training.

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Should You Train to Be a Plebotomist?

Right out of the gate, few people probably know what a phlebotomist or phlebotomy technician is. The short definition is a health care professional who draws blood from patients. So of course anyone who chooses this profession must be comfortable with needles and blood. And if you are anxious in hospitals or other Highland Village TX medical environments, well this profession probably is not right for you. And then there are the patients. Phlebotomy Techs tend to work around anxious people who don’t like needles or having their blood taken. And because most health care facilities are open 24 hours, you will probably be expected to work weekends, nights and even on holidays. But if you don’t mind working with the needles and blood, and if you enjoy interacting with people and are patient and compassionate, this could be the right job for you.

Phlebotomy Training, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially two kinds of programs that provide phlebotomy training, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to finish and offers 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, even though it's not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they usually take two years to complete. Bachelor's Degrees are not as available and as a four year program offer a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. While not required in most states, a number of Highland Village TX employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. A few 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 call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, like California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it's imperative that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a premium education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Training

To start with, let's resolve one potential mistaken belief. You can't get all of your phlebotomy training online. A good portion 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. Many courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-practical component of the training can be attended online, it could be a more convenient alternative for some Highland Village TX students. As an added benefit, some online schools are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some expenses, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist school you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a superior education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the right choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomist Certificate or Degree Programs

Now that you have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it's time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already selected the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the campus is important if you will be commuting from Highland Village TX in addition to the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an accredited online phlebotomy program. All of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for picking a phlebotomy program or school. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you need to ask about all of the programs you are reviewing before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? 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 practical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it's very important to select a phlebotomy program that satisfies 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 College Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you choose should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from a guarantee of a premium education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more desirable to potential employers in the Highland Village TX job market.

What is the College's Reputation? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it's imperative to check the reputations of all colleges you are reviewing. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also talk to several Highland Village TX clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and see if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with the Texas school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Included? To begin with, check with the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length 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 (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Ask the programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with local health care facilities. They are the ideal means to receive hands-on practical training often not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Highland Village TX medical community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Getting your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in jobs, it's an indication that the college has both a good reputation together with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Highland Village TX healthcare community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it's critical to verify that the ultimate college you choose offers classes at times that will accommodate your busy schedule. This is especially important if you opt to continue working while going to college. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Highland Village TX, make certain they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is in case you need to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Learn More About Becoming a Phlebotomist in Highland Village

Pick the Best Highland Village Phlebotomist Training

Making certain that you pick the most suitable phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care field. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are offered in a number of educational institutions, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide array of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Program options can differ a bit from state to state as every state has its own criteria when it pertains to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must carefully screen and compare each college before making your final selection. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the right phlebotomy school for you. And with the proper education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Highland Village Texas.

 

Highland Village Phlebotomy Programs Near Me | Highland Village Phlebotomy Schools Near Me