Phlebotomist Schools
How to Choose the Right One Near San Angelo Texas 

Perhaps the most serious decision you must make to enter the gratifying healthcare profession of phlebotomy is to choose the right phlebotomy training near San Angelo TX. It may seem like a challenging undertaking to evaluate and compare each of the training options that are accessible to you. Notwithstanding, to guarantee that you receive a top-notch education you must complete your due diligence before making your selection. In reality, most students start their search by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Another option you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. Online classes will be discussed in greater detail a bit later. What you need to remember is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Researching if the program is accredited or if the school has a job placement program should also be included in your due diligence process. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you choose the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let's cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online schools.

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Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The most basic answer is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are numerous and varied, such as San Angelo TX medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a particular kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be drawing blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Training, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially two types of programs that provide phlebotomist training, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to complete and furnishes a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it's not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they typically take 2 years to complete. Bachelor's Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program offer a more extensive background in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will probably want to be certified. Although not required in most states, most San Angelo TX employers look for certification before hiring technicians. Some of the main 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, including Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it's essential that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a premium education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Training

To begin with, let's resolve one possible misconception. You can't receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial portion of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved healthcare facility or an on-campus lab. Numerous courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-practical portion of the training may be accessed online, it may be a more convenient alternative for many San Angelo TX students. As an additional benefit, some online schools are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some expenditures, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Training Programs

Since you now have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it's time to start your due diligence process. You may have already decided on the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the campus is important if you will be commuting from San Angelo TX as well as the tuition expense. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an accredited phlebotomy online college. All of these decisions are an important part of the process for picking a phlebotomy school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Following are some questions that you should ask about all of the schools you are reviewing before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed before 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 phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for Texas or the state where you will be working and prepares you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited program aside from an assurance of a superior education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited programs. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to potential employers in the San Angelo TX job market.

What is the School's Reputation? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it's essential to check out the reputations of all colleges you are considering. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can research online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also check with a few San Angelo TX hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and see if they can offer any insights. As a final thought, you can check with the Texas school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Included? First, contact the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out 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 no less than 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 provide sufficient 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 way to obtain hands-on practical training typically not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local San Angelo TX health care community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Finding your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the programs you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it's an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the San Angelo TX medical community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it's critical to verify that the ultimate college you select provides classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is especially true if you opt to continue working while going to college. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near San Angelo TX, make certain they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option also. 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 ask what the make-up policy is in case you have to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

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Choose the Right San Angelo Phlebotomy Training Program

Making sure that you choose the right phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling healthcare field. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior school. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are available in a number of academic institutes, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide array of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Course offerings can differ somewhat across the country as each state has its own mandates when it concerns phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must carefully research and compare each college prior to making your final decision. By asking the questions that we have presented, 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 reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in San Angelo Texas.

 

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