Phlebotomy Training in Houston

When considering a career in the fast-growing field of phlebotomy, students have several choices at their disposal in terms of schools in Houston, Texas. With degrees and certification in phlebotomy training, Houston courses comprise in-class instruction as well as clinical training out in the field. All students must be able to perform at least 100 skin punctures in order to graduate from the programs and obtain certification. Phlebotomy is a well-honed craft of seamlessly drawing blood from patients for further analysis in a laboratory. Students are generally expected to learn about venipuncture, safety protocol, how to effectively draw blood, blood disease overview, sanitation, medical terminology, sample preparation and patient communication to enable a warm bedside manner. It is wise to head into college programs with a knowledge of human anatomy, physiology and other sciences. Students will also be expected to provide proof of high school diploma or GED, immunization records and more.

In Houston, there are many colleges designed to give comprehensive phlebotomy training. Avalon Medical Career Academy offers day and night courses that last eight weeks and 16 weeks, respectively. Students can take the state certification exam upon completion of the course. Tuition is $650. Houston Community College offers a two-pronged approach to its program, featuring a 96-hour course on basic phlebotomy skills coupled with a Phlebotomy Clinical course that lasts 120 hours of hands-on experience. Other schools in Houston include Lone Star College System at 2700 W.W. Thorne Drive, Pima Medical Institute at 10201 Katy Freeway, Pro Med Seminars (two-day training certification), San Jacinto College, Smithwood Medical Institute, Texas Southern University and the City of Houston Health and Human Services Division.

Phlebotomists in Houston can expect a better than average job growth projection. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says this occupation should grow by 27 percent by the year 2020. Students have a plethora of job opportunities, whether in medical centers, labs, blood donor banks, health clinics, home health care agencies, doctors' offices or pharmaceutical companies. The median salary for U.S. phlebotomists is about $30,000 per year and Texas ranks number two as far as highest paying phlebotomy jobs go, employing a total of 7,040. The annual mean wage is $27,800, with an hourly mean wage of $13.37.