Phlebotomist Training
How to Find the Best One Near Schertz Texas 

An important first step you must take to enter the rewarding medical vocation of phlebotomy is to select the best phlebotomy training near Schertz TX. There are a number of training options available to you and it can seem like a daunting task to investigate and compare each one. However, to guarantee that you will get a first-rate education you must complete your due diligence prior to making your selection. More often than not the two qualifications that first come to mind for student applicants are where the school is located and how much the tuition is. Whether you will commute to classes or attend them online is another consideration as well. We'll review a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is far more to comparing 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 part of your due diligence process. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you pick the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let's cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online schools.

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Should You Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

First of all, not many people probably know what a phlebotomy tech or phlebotomist is. The basic definition is a medical professional whose job is to draw blood. So of course anyone who chooses this profession must be able to handle needles and blood. And if you are not comfortable in hospitals or other Schertz TX medical facilities, well this job probably is not right for you. And then there are the patients. Phlebotomy Techs often work around anxious people who hate needles or having their blood drawn. And because many medical facilities are open 24 hours, you may be required to work weekends, evenings and, you guessed it even on holidays. But if you can handle the hours and the needles and blood, and if you enjoy helping people and are compassionate and very patient, this could be the perfect profession for you.

Phlebotomist Training, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially 2 kinds of programs that offer phlebotomist training, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to finish and offers a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they normally require 2 years to complete. Bachelor's Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program furnish a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will probably want to get certified. While not required in the majority of states, many Schertz TX employers require certification prior to hiring technicians. Some of the primary 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 call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, including Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it's imperative that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only furnishes a superior education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Colleges

To start with, let's resolve one possible misconception. You can't obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant component of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be performed 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-practical portion of the training can be accessed online, it might be a more convenient option for some Schertz TX students. As an additional benefit, some online classes are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some expenditures, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy school you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the best option for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Since you now have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it's time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the campus is significant if you will be commuting from Schertz TX in addition to the cost of tuition. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an accredited online phlebotomy school. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for picking a phlebotomy program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you should ask about each of the colleges you are looking at prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Texas? As previously mentioned, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states require certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it's very important to choose a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for Texas or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a premium 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. Next, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited schools. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to future employers in the Schertz TX job market.

What is the School's Reputation? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it's important to check out the reputations of all colleges you are reviewing. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also check with several Schertz TX hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and find out if they can provide any insights. As a final 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 Ample Training Provided? First, check with the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums might indicate that the program is not expansive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Find out from the schools you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with regional healthcare facilities. They are the optimal means to obtain hands-on practical training often not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local Schertz TX medical community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Getting your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it's an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation together with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Schertz TX healthcare community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it's critical to confirm that the ultimate program you choose offers classes at times that are compatible with your hectic lifestyle. 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 Schertz TX, check that they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option also. And if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is in case you need to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Learn More About Becoming a Phlebotomist in Schertz

Enroll in the Right Schertz Phlebotomist Training Program

Making sure that you select the right phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this rewarding health care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be available in a wide range of academic institutes, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide assortment of programs in medical care and health sciences. Course options may differ slightly from state to state as each state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to diligently evaluate and compare each program prior to making your ultimate choice. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the right phlebotomist school for you. And with the proper education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Schertz Texas.

 

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