Phlebotomist Schools
How to Find the Best One Near New Braunfels Texas 

A critical first step one must take to enter the gratifying medical vocation of phlebotomy is to select the right phlebotomy school near New Braunfels TX. There are numerous training options available to you and it may seem like a daunting task to investigate and analyze each one. Notwithstanding, to ensure that you will get a quality education you must perform your due diligence before making your selection. In fact, most students start their search by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another option you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We'll review a bit more about online schools later in this article. So when evaluating phlebotomy training programs, location and cost shouldn’t be the only parameters you are looking at. Finding out if the program is accredited or if the school has a job placement program must also be part of your evaluation process. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you choose the right one for you. But before we do that, let's cover education options, licensing and certification, and online schools.

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Phlebotomy Technician Training, Licensing and Certification

There are basically 2 kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomy training, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to complete and provides a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it's not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they usually require 2 years to complete. Bachelor's Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program furnish a more extensive foundation 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, a number of New Braunfels TX employers look for certification before hiring technicians. A few of the principal certifying agencies include:

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

There are some states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, including California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it's important that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a quality education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Certificates and Degrees

To start with, let's dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can't obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial component of the course of study will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility. Many courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-clinical component of the training may be accessed online, it can be a more practical option for many New Braunfels TX students. As an added benefit, a number of online colleges are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some expenses, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a superior education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the right choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

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 may have already selected the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the campus is relevant if you will be commuting from New Braunfels TX as well as 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 procedure for picking a phlebotomy program or school. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you should ask about all of the colleges you are reviewing before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. 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 working and prepares you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you pick should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a superior education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the New Braunfels TX job market.

What is the Program's Reputation? In a number of 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 any schools you are considering. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even check with several New Braunfels TX clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and see if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the Texas school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? First, contact the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any phlebotomy program that you are considering should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Find out from the schools you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with regional healthcare facilities. They are the ideal means to receive hands-on practical training frequently not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local New Braunfels TX medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Landing your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in jobs, it's an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the New Braunfels TX medical community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it's important to make sure that the final program you select offers classes at times that will accommodate your hectic schedule. This is particularly true if you decide to still work while going to school. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near New Braunfels TX, make certain they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option as well. And if you have decided to attend 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 in case you need to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

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Choose the Best New Braunfels Phlebotomy Training Program

Making sure that you choose the ideal phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding healthcare field. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be found 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 healthcare and medical sciences. Training program options may vary a bit across the country as each state has its own requirements when it comes to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to carefully research and compare each program before making your final selection. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the right phlebotomist program for you. And with the proper training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in New Braunfels Texas.

 

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