Phlebotomist Training
How to Find the Best One Near West Odessa Texas 

Choosing the right phlebotomist school near West Odessa TX is a critical initial step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting undertaking to evaluate and compare each of the training alternatives that are available to you. Notwithstanding, to guarantee that you will get a top-notch education you must complete a detailed audit before making your selection. In reality, many potential students start their search by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. And if you will commute to classes or attend them online is another consideration as well. We'll talk more about online schools later in this article. What's important to keep in mind is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and should 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 reviewing to help you select the right one for you. But before we do that, let's address education options, licensing and certification, and online classes.

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

Phlebotomist Education, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily 2 kinds of programs that offer phlebotomist training, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to complete and provides a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they typically take 2 years to finish. Bachelor's Degrees are not as available and as a four year program offer a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. Although not mandated in most states, most West Odessa TX employers look for certification before hiring technicians. A few 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 call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, such as California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it's imperative that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a quality education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Training

To begin with, let's resolve one likely mistaken belief. You can't get all of your phlebotomy training online. A good component of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility. Numerous courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-clinical part of the training may be accessed online, it might be a more practical alternative for many West Odessa TX students. As an additional benefit, many online colleges are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some costs, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a quality education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the ideal choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomy Certificate or Degree Programs

Since you now have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it's time to start your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the type 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 West Odessa TX as well as the cost of tuition. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an accredited online phlebotomy program. All of these decisions are an important component of the process for choosing a phlebotomy program or school. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you should ask about each of the schools you are looking at before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Texas? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it's very important to select a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for Texas or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you choose should be accredited by a recognized national or regional accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a quality education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to potential employers in the West Odessa TX job market.

What is the College's Ranking? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it's essential to investigate the reputations of all colleges you are looking at. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can research online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also contact several West Odessa TX hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and see if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the Texas school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Included? To begin with, contact the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any phlebotomy program that you are looking at should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Find out from the schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with local health care facilities. They are the optimal way to receive hands-on practical training typically not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local West Odessa TX medical community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Landing your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a higher rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it's an indication that the program has both a good reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the West Odessa TX healthcare community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it's critical to confirm that the final program you select provides classes at times that are compatible with your active schedule. This is particularly true if you choose to still work while going to college. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near West Odessa TX, make sure they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm 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 fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is in case you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Learn More About How to Become a Phlebotomist in West Odessa

Pick the Right West Odessa Phlebotomist Training Program

Making sure that you choose the right phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling healthcare career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior school. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are found in a wide range of academic institutes, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive assortment of courses in medical care and health sciences. Course offerings can differ a bit across the country as every state has its own requirements when it pertains to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must diligently screen and compare each college prior to making your final decision. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the right phlebotomy program for you. And with the proper education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in West Odessa Texas.

 

West Odessa Phlebotomy Certificate | West Odessa Phlebotomy Programs