Phlebotomy Training and Career Guide Phlebotomy Training Resources and Guides for becoming Certified as a Phlebotomist!
Phlebotomy Training in Houston, TX
Not just the most populous Texas City, Houston is one of the largest metropolitan areas
in the country. With a diverse community, Houston is home to an incredible number of
museums, exhibits, parks, and also boasts a thriving theater district.
A major draw for tourists, Houston is also home to more than 2,100,000 people. The
cost of living in the city itself can be as costly as you’d expect for a major city. But
moving out into the surrounding suburbs, you’ll find that housing costs are much more in
the way of reasonable.
The average salary for a certified phlebotomist in Houston is $31,000. This can be
influenced by a number of factors, including the type of facility that you work at, and of
course the number of years of experience that you have under your belt.
Understanding the Phlebotomy Certification Process in Houston:
There are a handful of states that set their own requirements for phlebotomy
certification. Prior to working with patients, you will need to meet all the state’s
requirements.
Texas is not one of the states that sets its own rules for phlebotomy certification, which
means that you could technically work with patients without having that certification in
hand. However, even as a medical professional with several years of experience under
your belt, you might find it quite a challenge to find a medical facility that will not require
from you proof of having earned your certification.
You may have been working as a phlebotomist for years without having your
certification in hand, and may still find that your years of experience is not adequate to
secure a new position once you hit the job market.
However, with your phlebotomy certification in hand you will have a significantly increased
chance of being able to secure a position with a medical facility. You will also be able to
see a much higher salary than those who are trying to get a job without a certification in
hand.
Your certification will also help you to secure a position outside of Houston,
if you plan on relocating at some point in the future.
It’s important to note that if you move to a state with its own regulations and certification
requirements, you could need to complete additional training in order to legally work as
a phlebotomist in that area.
What’s Covered in Phlebotomy Courses?
Once you start researching them, you’ll start to recognize that not all courses are
created equally. If you are take your phlebotomy training course through an accredited
school then you’ll be able to rest assured that you are getting the right type of training to
help you in passing your certification exams.
Here are some of the topics that are included in questions found on the exams, and
should be covered in your training:
- Knowledge of the circulatory system
- Blood composition
- Collection of specimens, and processes surrounding specimen collection.
- Handling, transporting, and processing of specimens, and procedures
surrounding these three areas.
- Safety and regulatory applications
- Non-blood specimens
- Patient privacy and care
Phlebotomy certification courses are generally split into two parts. The first part of the
course is practical classroom lectures that will teach you the foundations of phlebotomy.
The second part will involve hands-on clinical experience. You will learn to follow safety
standards, tie tourniquets, identify veins, work with challenging patients, and learn about
all of the equipment that is needed to safely perform the duties of your job.
Sitting the Phlebotomy Certification Exam:
Once you have completed your training, you should feel confident that you can pass the
certification exam with ease.
Prior to taking the exam, you may need to provide a bit of information to the exam
board, including the following:
- Proof of your age; you should be 18 or older.
- Proof of your high school graduation.
- Proof that you completed all parts of the phlebotomy training course
The examination itself is a series of questions taken on a computer. The questions are
multiple-choice, and will increase slightly in difficulty as the correct answer is provided.
Maintaining your Phlebotomist License, and Further Education:
Once you have earned your license, it will be valid for two years. It’s important to avoid
allowing it to lapse, as this might put your job at risk until you are able to renew it.
Rather be sure to stay on top of maintaining your license so that you can continue to
help your patients.
Phlebotomy is a great introduction to the medical field, and it does serve as a great
stepping stone toward other careers in the medical field. Whether you are planning on
pursuing a career as a medical assistant, a nurse, or ultrasound tech, working as a
phlebotomist will allow you to earn a good living while working in the field that you love.
If you select the right school to complete your certification through, you’ll find that you
can transfer your earned credits toward further educational pursuits.
Houston Schools Offering Training Courses in Phlebotomy:
Lone Star College:
Lone Star College offers a non-credit fast track program that consists of 96 classroom
hours, 100 hours of clinical rotations, and a 10 hour review course. The cost of this
course is relatively low, and can also be offered at no-cost for those who meet certain
eligibility guidelines.
More Info:
http://www.lonestar.edu/phlebotomy-ce.htm
Houston Community College:
Houston Community College offers a for-credit course of 96 classroom hours, 120
clinical hours, and 8 hours of reviewing the material so that students are thoroughly
prepared to sit the national exam. Students can continue their education to pursue other
programs at the college.
More Info:
http://www.hccs.edu/finder/programs/phlebotomy-technician—certificate/
Texas Southern University:
Texas Southern University’s phlebotomy technician program consists of 96 classroom
hours and 160 clinical hours. Students are required to show proof of having a hepatitis
B vaccination, as well as CPR certification, and undergo a drug and background check.
More Info:
http://www.tsu.edu/academics/colleges__schools/College_of_Continuing_Education/phlebotomy-tech.php
More Phlebotomy Schools in Houston, Texas:
Feel free to search our school directory for colleges and vocational schools currently
offering Phlebotomy programs:
Fortis College-Montgomery
Pima Community College
Brookline College-Phoenix
University of Alaska Anchorage
Alaska Career College
Phoenix College
Coconino Community College
Brookline College-Tempe
Brookline College-Tucson
Yavapai College
External Resources:
These are websites and resources that we used to create this article for you. It’s kind of
like the end credits of a movie.
Wikipedia: – That sweet skyline picture of Houston, Texas was taken from Wikimedia Commons and
is protected under the General Public License.
Salary.com – The average salary numbers for Phlebotomists on this page, and all the other
pages on this site come from Salary.com.
