Picking a Phlebotomy Technician School near Lewisville Texas

Picking the right phlebotomist training near Lewisville TX is an important first step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting task to assess and compare all of the training alternatives that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you receive a quality education. In reality, a large number of prospective students begin the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional option you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and must be part of your decision process also. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you pick the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomy Technician Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their primary duty, there is in fact far more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must check that the tools being used are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork must be accurately filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab testing process. The phlebotomist then transports 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 Lewisville TX phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are in charge of making sure that samples are analyzed correctly under the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they might be required to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The quickest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are many and varied, such as Lewisville TX medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a certain type of patient. For instance, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Education, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily two types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Lewisville TX, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to finish and provides a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they usually require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program offer a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. While not required in most states, many employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. A few of the principal certifying organizations 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 in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, including California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a quality education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Certificates and Degrees

To begin with, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant portion of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Lewisville TX healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-practical portion of the training can be attended online, it may be a more practical option for some students. As an added benefit, a number of online classes are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some expenditures, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy school you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a quality education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the ideal option for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Now that you have a basic understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already decided on the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Texas school is important as well as the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist school. All of these decisions are an important part of the process for selecting a program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Following are a few questions that you should ask about each of the Lewisville TX schools you are looking at prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements 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 hours of clinical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that complies with 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 phlebotomist program and school you pick should be accredited by a respected national or regional 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 quality education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited programs in Lewisville TX. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to check out 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 screen internet school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even check with several Lewisville TX area hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and ask if they can offer any insights. As a final thought, you can check with the Texas school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Ample Training Included? To begin with, contact the Texas regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Lewisville TX phlebotomy program that you are considering should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internships Provided? Ask the Texas programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with local health care facilities. They are the optimal means to obtain hands-on practical training frequently not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Lewisville TX medical community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Landing your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Ask if the schools you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Lewisville TX health care community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s critical to verify that the final program you choose offers classes at times that will accommodate your busy schedule. This is particularly true if you decide to continue working while going to college. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Lewisville TX, make certain they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option also. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is in case you have to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's advantageous to consider questions you may be asked. Among the questions that interviewers frequently ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What made you pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not merely the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what attributes and abilities you possess that make you outstanding at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of routine interview questions, so you should prepare several ideas about how you want to answer them. Given that there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession interests you as well as the strengths you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the best choice for the position. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but write down a few ideas and topics that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can assist you to develop your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.

Select the Ideal Phlebotomist Program near Lewisville TX

Making certain that you pick the most suitable phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be offered in a wide range of academic institutes, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive assortment of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings can differ somewhat across the country as each state has its own prerequisites when it comes to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must diligently research and compare each school prior to making your ultimate selection. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the right college for you. And with the appropriate education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Lewisville TX.

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