Selecting a Phlebotomist Training Program near Athens Texas

Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Athens TX is an essential first step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging task to investigate and compare each of the school options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you complete your due diligence to make certain that you obtain a superior education. In fact, a large number of prospective students start their search by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional factor you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll discuss more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and should be part of your selection process as well. 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 ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomist Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their principal responsibility, there is actually much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to confirm that the tools being utilized are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork needs to be accurately filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory testing process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Athens TX phlebotomists actually work in labs and are in charge of ensuring that samples are tested correctly using the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they can be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The simplest response is wherever they treat patients. Their workplaces are numerous and diverse, such as Athens TX hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be charged to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a specific type of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Education, Certification and Licensing

There are basically two kinds of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Athens TX, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to finish and furnishes a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they usually take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program provide a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. Although not required in most states, most employers require certification prior to employing 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 a few states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, like California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a premium education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Colleges

To begin with, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A good component of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Athens TX healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-practical component of the training may be attended online, it can be a more convenient alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, some online schools are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a superior education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online might be the right option for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Now that you 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 kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Texas college is important as well as the tuition expense. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online college. Each of these decisions are an important component of the process for selecting a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you need to ask about each of the Athens TX colleges you are reviewing before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Texas? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomist program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Texas or the state where you will be practicing and prepares 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 reputable regional or national 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 a guarantee of a superior 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 organizations. Next, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are typically not available for non-accredited programs in Athens TX. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of all schools you are considering. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also talk to some Athens TX area hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and ask 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 full compliance.

Is Enough Training Provided? First, contact the Texas regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Athens TX phlebotomist 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 might indicate that the program is not expansive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internships Provided? Ask the Texas programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with regional healthcare facilities. They are the optimal way to receive hands-on practical training often not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Athens TX healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Finding your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the schools you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Athens TX medical community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? Finally, it’s critical to verify that the ultimate college you select provides classes at times that will accommodate your busy lifestyle. This is especially important if you choose to continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Athens TX, check that they are available at those times. Also, 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 clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is should you have to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you may be asked. Among the things that interviewers typically ask Phlebotomy Tech prospects is "What made you decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not only the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what attributes and skills you possess that make you outstanding at your profession. You will probably be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of standard interview questions, so you must organize several approaches about how you would like to answer them. Since there are numerous variables that go into selecting a career, you can answer this primary question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession appeals to you as well as the abilities you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the ideal candidate for the job. Don't try to memorize an answer, but jot down some concepts and talking points that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can help you to formulate your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the interviewer.

Choose the Best Phlebotomy Course near Athens TX

Making sure that you enroll in the most suitable phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding healthcare career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomist training programs can be available in a wide range of academic institutions, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive range of courses in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings may vary a bit from state to state as every state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must carefully screen and compare each college before making your final choice. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the right college for you. And with the proper education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Athens TX.

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