Picking a Phlebotomist Course near Lamesa Texas

Picking the right phlebotomist school near Lamesa TX is an important initial step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging task to evaluate and compare all of the training alternatives that are available to you. However it’s vital that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you receive a quality education. In reality, many prospective students begin their search by looking at 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 talk more about online schools later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and must be part of your decision process also. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you should 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 address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomy Technician Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their main duty, there is in fact much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the instruments being utilized are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork needs to be properly filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory screening procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Lamesa TX phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are in charge of making certain that samples are tested correctly under the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they might be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The easiest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their workplaces are many and varied, such as Lamesa TX hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be charged to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a particular type of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be drawing blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Certification and Licensing

There are basically two kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Lamesa TX, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to complete and furnishes a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will include training to become a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they usually require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program provide a more extensive background in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will probably want to be certified. While not required in the majority of states, many employers require certification before hiring technicians. Some of the key certifying agencies include:

• National Phlebotomy Association
• National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
• American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
• American Medical Technologists (AMT)

There are several states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, including California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only furnishes a superior education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Classes

First, let’s dispel one possible mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A good portion of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Lamesa TX healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-clinical portion of the training can be accessed online, it could be a more practical option for some students. As an added benefit, a number of online schools are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some costs, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy school you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a premium education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online might be the right choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Since you now have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already decided on the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Texas college is relevant as well as the tuition expense. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy college. All of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for choosing a program or school. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are a few questions that you should ask about all of the Lamesa TX schools you are looking at prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomy program that meets 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 School Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you select should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a superior education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools in Lamesa TX. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of all colleges you are reviewing. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their students as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even contact several Lamesa TX local hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and find out if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the Texas school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Provided? First, check with the Texas regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Lamesa TX phlebotomist program that you are looking at should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out from the Texas programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with local medical facilities. They are the optimal means to receive hands-on clinical training frequently not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Lamesa TX healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Finding your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Lamesa TX healthcare community.

Are Class Times Available as Needed? Finally, it’s important to make sure that the final college you pick provides classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is particularly important if you decide to continue working while going to college. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Lamesa TX, check that they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option as well. And if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up procedure is in case you have to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's important to review questions you could be asked. Among the things that interviewers typically ask Phlebotomy Tech candidates is "What drove you to choose Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not just the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what attributes and abilities you possess that make you good at what you do. You will probably be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of typical interview questions, so you should organize some ideas about how you would like to answer them. Since there are numerous variables that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this primary question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the profession appeals to you in addition to the talents you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the best choice for the job. Don't try to memorize an answer, but take down some concepts and talking points that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.

Enroll in the Ideal Phlebotomist College near Lamesa TX

Making sure that you choose the most suitable phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying health care field. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be found in a number of academic institutions, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive range of courses in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings can vary somewhat from state to state as each state has its own requirements when it comes to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must thoroughly screen and compare each school before making your ultimate selection. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the right school for you. And with the proper training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Lamesa TX.

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