How to Select the Right Phlebotomy Training Classes near Honey Grove Texas
Choosing the right phlebotomy training near Honey Grove TX is an essential first step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult undertaking to investigate and compare each of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. However it’s vital that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you receive a superior education. In reality, most potential students begin their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another option you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and should be part of your selection process as well. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you pick the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online classes.
Request Free Information on Phlebotomy Training Near You!
Should You Become a Phlebotomy Technician?
First of all, few people probably know what a phlebotomist or phlebotomy technician is. The short definition is a health care professional whose job is to draw blood. We will go into more depth later. So naturally anyone who selects this profession must be able to handle needles and blood. And if you are not comfortable in hospitals or other Honey Grove TX medical environments, well this job probably is not right for you. And then there are the patients. Phlebotomy Techs often work with nervous people who hate needles or having a blood sample drawn. And because many medical facilities are open around the clock, you will probably be expected to work weekends, nights 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 job for you.
Click Here to Get Free Information on Phlebotomy Training Near You!
Phlebotomy Technician Job Summary
A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their main responsibility, there is in fact much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the tools being used are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be correctly completed in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab testing procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many phlebotomists actually work in Honey Grove TX laboratories and are responsible for ensuring that samples are tested correctly under the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they might be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.
Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?
The most basic response is wherever patients are treated. Their workplaces are many and varied, such as Honey Grove TX hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a certain kind of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients each day.
Phlebotomist Training, Certification and Licensing
There are primarily 2 kinds of programs that provide phlebotomist training, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to complete and provides a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest 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 to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they usually require 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program provide a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not required in most states, most Honey Grove TX 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 a few states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, including California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a superior education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.
Phlebotomy Online Classes
To begin with, let’s resolve one likely mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial part of the course of study will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility. A large number of courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-practical component of the training may be attended online, it might be a more practical alternative for some Honey Grove TX students. As an additional benefit, some online schools are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some expenditures, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomist college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a quality education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the right choice for you.
Points to Ask Phlebotomist Schools
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 selected the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the campus is significant if you will be commuting from Honey Grove TX as well as the cost of tuition. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an accredited phlebotomy online program. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the process for choosing a phlebotomy program or school. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you need to ask about each of the programs you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate selection.
Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Texas? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed before working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for Texas or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for any examinations you may have to take.
Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a superior education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited schools. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more desirable to future employers in the Honey Grove TX job market.
What is the Program’s Reputation? In numerous 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 schools you are reviewing. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their students as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also check with some Honey Grove TX hospitals or clinics that you may 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 grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.
Is Adequate Training Provided? To begin with, check with the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any phlebotomy program that you are looking at should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide sufficient training.
Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out from the schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional medical facilities. They are the optimal means to obtain hands-on clinical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Honey Grove TX medical community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.
Is Job Placement Support Available? Getting your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Honey Grove TX medical community.
Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s important to make sure that the final program you pick provides classes at times that will accommodate your hectic lifestyle. This is especially true if you opt to continue working while attending college. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near Honey Grove TX, make sure they are offered 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 attend online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is in case you need to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.
Phlebotomy Night Classes Honey Grove TX
Affordable Phlebotomy Technician Associates Degrees Near Me Honey Grove Texas
Making certain that you pick the ideal phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying health care field. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomist training programs can be offered in a variety of academic institutions, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive assortment of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Course offerings can vary a bit across the country as each state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to diligently screen and compare each college prior to making your ultimate choice. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Affordable Phlebotomy Technician Associates Degrees Near Me and to get more information regarding Low Cost Phlebotomy Tech Training. However, by addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the best phlebotomist program for you. And with the proper training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Honey Grove TX.
More Texas Bloody Wonderful Locations
Honey Grove, Texas
Honey Grove is in North Central Texas, in eastern Fannin County, 16 miles (26 km) east of Bonham, the county seat, 39 miles (63 km) north of Greenville, 42 miles (68 km) east of Sherman, and 90 miles (140 km) northeast of the Central Business District of Dallas. Honey Grove was developed on flat to gently rolling terrain with scattered trees. The city is at an elevation ranging from approximately 580 to 690 feet (180 to 210 m) above sea level. U.S. Highway 82 and State Highway 56 traverse the city from east to west, and State Roads 34, 100 and 824 run north and south. Bonham is the closest major economic center. Its climate produces an annual average daily maximum temperature of 75.1 degrees, and an average annual rainfall is 43.99 inches (1,117 mm). It is also a part of the Texoma region.
It is located at 33°35′10″N 95°54′26″W / 33.58611°N 95.90722°W / 33.58611; -95.90722 (33.586011, -95.907294).[4] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.0 square miles (7.8 km2), of which 3.0 square miles (7.7 km2) is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km2), or 1.40%, is water.[3]
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 1,746 people, 693 households, and 451 families residing in the city. The population density was 661.5 people per square mile (255.4/km²). There were 814 housing units at an average density of 308.4/sq mi (119.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 78.87% White, 16.32% African American, 0.40% Native American, 0.34% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 2.58% from other races, and 1.43% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.90% of the population.
Business Results 1 - 10 of 0
