Phlebotomist Training Schools
How to Choose the Right One Near Odessa Texas 

Selecting the ideal phlebotomist school near Odessa TX is a critical initial step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. There are a number of training options available to you and it can seem like a daunting undertaking to research and compare each one. Notwithstanding, to ensure that you will get a quality education you must complete your due diligence prior to making your decision. In fact, many prospective students start their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Whether you will commute to classes or participate online is an option you need to consider as well. We'll review more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and need to be part of your selection process as well. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you pick the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let's cover education options, licensing and certification, and online schools.

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

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Certification and Licensing

There are basically 2 types of programs that furnish phlebotomy training, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to complete and offers a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will include training to become a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they usually take 2 years to complete. Bachelor's Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program provide a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. Although not mandated in most states, many Odessa TX employers require certification prior to employing 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 several states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, such as Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it's important that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a quality education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Schools

To start with, let's resolve one possible mistaken belief. You can't get all of your phlebotomist training online. A good part 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 component of the training may be accessed online, it can be a more practical alternative for many Odessa TX students. As an added benefit, many online schools are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some expenses, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy school you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a quality education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the best choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

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 might have already chosen the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the college is relevant if you will be commuting from Odessa TX as well as the cost of tuition. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an accredited phlebotomist online program. All of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for selecting a phlebotomy program or school. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are several questions that you need to ask about all of the colleges you are looking at prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Texas? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it's very important to choose a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Texas or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you pick should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several 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 examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the Odessa TX job market.

What is the College's Reputation? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it's essential to check out the reputations of any colleges you are looking at. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also talk to several Odessa TX clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and see if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the Texas school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? First, check with the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount 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 (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums might signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask the colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional medical facilities. They are the optimal means to get hands-on practical training frequently not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local Odessa TX healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Available? Getting your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school 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 large network of professional contacts within the Odessa TX health care community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it's crucial to verify that the final college you choose offers classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is particularly true if you decide to continue working while going to school. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Odessa TX, check that they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option as well. And if you have decided to study online, with the practical 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 illness or emergencies.

Get More Info on How to Become a Phlebotomist in Odessa

Pick the Best Odessa Phlebotomist Training

Making sure that you enroll in the ideal phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are available in a number of educational institutes, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Course options may differ a bit from state to state as every state has its own requirements when it comes to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to thoroughly evaluate and compare each school prior to making your ultimate decision. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the ideal phlebotomist school for you. And with the proper training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Odessa Texas.

 

Odessa Phlebotomy Training Near Me | Odessa Phlebotomy Classes Near Me