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

Perhaps the most important decision you must make to enter the fulfilling healthcare vocation of phlebotomy is to select the right phlebotomy school near Odessa TX. It may seem like a difficult undertaking to assess and compare all of the school options that are accessible to you. However, to ensure that you receive a top-notch education you must complete a detailed audit prior to making your decision. In fact, many potential students start their search by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Another factor you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We'll discuss more about online classes later in this article. So when comparing phlebotomy training programs, location and cost shouldn’t be the only criteria you are looking at. Finding out if the program is accredited or if the school has a job assistance program should also be part of your evaluation process. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you pick the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let's cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online classes.

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Phlebotomy Tech Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their main task, there is in fact much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the tools being utilized are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient's data. Next, paperwork must be properly completed in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of phlebotomists actually work in Odessa TX labs and are in charge of making sure that samples are tested properly utilizing the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren't sufficient duties, they may be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Phlebotomist Education, Licensing and Certification

There are basically 2 kinds of programs that provide phlebotomist training, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to finish and furnishes a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it's not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they normally take 2 years to complete. Bachelor's Degrees are not as available and as a four year program furnish a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will probably want to get certified. Although not required in the majority of states, a number of Odessa TX employers require certification prior to hiring technicians. Some of the main certifying organizations 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 in order to practice as a phlebotomist, including California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it's essential that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a superior education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Schools

First, let's dispel one likely misconception. You can't get all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant part of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved healthcare facility or an on-campus lab. Many courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-clinical portion of the training may be attended online, it may be a more convenient alternative for some Odessa TX students. As an added benefit, a number of online programs are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenditures, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy program you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the right option for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Training Programs

Now that you have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it's time to start your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the college is significant if you will be commuting from Odessa TX in addition to the tuition expense. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an accredited phlebotomy online school. All of these decisions are a critical part of the process for picking a phlebotomy program or school. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you should ask about all of the programs you are reviewing before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Texas? As earlier discussed, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it's very important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for Texas or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you select should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a premium education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are often unavailable for non-accredited schools. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the Odessa TX job market.

What is the Program's Reputation? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it's imperative to check the reputations of any 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 research internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also talk to a few Odessa TX clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and find out if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the Texas school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Provided? First, check with the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any phlebotomist program that you are considering should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums might signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internships Included? Find out from the colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with local healthcare facilities. They are the optimal way to obtain hands-on practical training often not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Odessa TX health care community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Getting your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the colleges you are looking at provide 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 program has both an excellent reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Odessa TX medical community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it's crucial to verify that the final program you pick provides classes at times that will accommodate your active lifestyle. This is especially important if you decide to still work while going to college. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Odessa 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 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 policy is should you have to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Learn More About Becoming a Phlebotomist in Odessa

Enroll in the Right Odessa Phlebotomy Training Program

Making certain that you pick the ideal phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care career position. 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 available in a number of educational institutes, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide assortment of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program offerings can differ a bit from state to state as every state has its own criteria when it comes to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must carefully evaluate and compare each program before making your ultimate decision. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the best phlebotomy program for you. And with the proper training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Odessa Texas.

 

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