EKG/ Phlebotomy Courses in Florida

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So I live in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and have almost completed my CNA training. I spoke to someone who works at Memorial Hospital and they told me that they only hire PCA/PCTs, which means that in addition to a CNA certification, I'd also need an EKG/ Phlebotomy certificate. She told me that the courses are generally pretty short, but I really can't seem to find many schools that offer them! Atlantic Vocational Tech's program is a few months long and about $2000! I really can't afford that right now. :confused:

I found this one place called Critical Concepts (http://www.criticalconceptsusa.com) that offers a Phlebotomy course for $145 and its only one class from 9am-5pm. They also offer a Basic EKG course and a 12 Lead EKG course for $100-$125 and they're also one day courses.

I don't want to spend the money and take the course only to find out that they aren't legitimate certifications. What do you guys think? And whats the difference between the Basic EKG and the 12 Lead EKG? Any information or opinions would be appreciated! Thanks!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Emergency Medicine, Flight.

since youre in ft. lauderdale i would look into FMTI

fmti.edu- they offer the phlebotomy/ekg tech course there. check out the coconut creek campus.

i went there and it was pretty cool 2x a week for about 4 weeks. and we did hospital clinicals and hands on labs. I felt well prepared to work in the lab :)

they are accredited so dont worry about it not being legit ;)

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So I live in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and have almost completed my CNA training. I spoke to someone who works at Memorial Hospital and they told me that they only hire PCA/PCTs, which means that in addition to a CNA certification, I'd also need an EKG/ Phlebotomy certificate. She told me that the courses are generally pretty short, but I really can't seem to find many schools that offer them! Atlantic Vocational Tech's program is a few months long and about $2000! I really can't afford that right now. :confused:

I found this one place called Critical Concepts (www.criticalconceptsusa.com) that offers a Phlebotomy course for $145 and its only one class from 9am-5pm. They also offer a Basic EKG course and a 12 Lead EKG course for $100-$125 and they're also one day courses.

I don't want to spend the money and take the course only to find out that they aren't legitimate certifications. What do you guys think? And whats the difference between the Basic EKG and the 12 Lead EKG? Any information or opinions would be appreciated! Thanks!

I too am a CNA and got my phlebotomy cert... My class was several weeks and included a week of clinicals. Although there is no state licensure for phlebotomists, those who obtain certification from national credentialing agencies such as the National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel, American Society of Clinical Pathologists, and the American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians will have a better chance for employment. To be eligible to take the certification exam, you must complete one year as a part-time phlebotomist or six months as a full-time phlebotomist or successfully complete an accredited phlebotomy training program, including at least 100 documented successful venipunctures and 25 documented successful skin punctures. A one day class is not going to get you your clinical sticks... I took a phlebotomy class 10 years ago and that too was 3 weeks and 1 week FT clinicals at a hospital. Also, the clinical hours gives you time to get to know the lab, tube colors, which tubes clot, which are universal.. I honestly don't know how you would cram that into 8 hours... I would be careful and do your homework.... Does a technical school offer classes in your area?

Good Luck!!

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I took a Phlebotomy course in Orlando, FL recently and am certified through NHA now as a CPT at Orlando Academy School of Health Professions. They have a 7 week full program and 2 week accelerated program. I really enjoyed the course and the instructors were awesome. I had taken phlebotomy before at a community college as part of my nursing curriculum but really needed more practice and the 2 week course was perfect.

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Try these guys. http://www.avalonmedicaleducators.com/

Started by a RN and approved by the Florida Board of Nursing.

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I'm also interested in becoming a phlebotomist. Or, more accurately, perhaps I can get experience with drawing blood (and/or venipuncture).

Surely there is a technical school in Broward County (Fort Lauderdale area) that offers this course?! With a google search, I do not see any! In fact, online phlebotomy classes seemed a dime a dozen..... but to me, the point is to have hands-on experience!!!

Lindsey Hopkins Technical College in Miami offers the phlebotomy course. It appears to be hands-on. I've emailed an inquiry as to duration of course, price, and number of successful "sticks" (venipuncture) are required. I'd read somewhere that 80 or 90 successful "sticks" made a person eligible for certification.

CERTIFICATION: No Florida based certification?! Seems like only a National certification exists. And none of it seemed too official.

Thanks to everyone who contributed information on this thread. Seems to me like if do I become a certified phlebotomist, (while waiting for acceptance into RN school) it won't hurt me. Seems to me like if I don't become a certified phlebotomist (experienced in venipuncture / drawing blood) before RN school, it won't hurt me either. So, I shouldn't make a big fuss whether or not I do phlebotomy school. Unless I want more practice at doing this than RN school offers. Yep... that is a distinct possibility.

Anyone feel free to correct me if I have any misinformation here.

This info is my rudimentary understanding about phlebotomy.

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I'm ALMOST half way through the part-time generic RN program at MDC.edu

Praying I pass everything. We have two of the toughest professors for med-surg lecture & pharmacology2.

And clinical is no piece of cake either.

The class one semester behind us lucked out and has a professor with more realistic expectations.

Although my BF says he is so happy that I have the toughest professors.

He says I will learn more.

Anyway, I have not taken a phlebotomy class but one of my former classmates did.

She took the phlebotomy program at MDC. She said it was worth her time.

She now has plenty of experience with "sticking a patient" ... hitting that vein.

To me this is an important skill for a new RN. Because it is rare that a patient in a hospital

does not have IV access.

I've tried one "stick" on a patient and was unsuccessful in hitting the vein. DARN.

My professor followed up on a different vein & was successful.

Yes, I agree that any extra experience to set one apart from other new graduates is a good thing.

EKG 12 lead & phlebotomy are good choices.

Though one of my friends graduated last year & went right into a non-hospital setting

which I think is rare.

FEM

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I'd also recommend FMTI. The instructor I had for my phlebotomy/EKG course was awesome and I really enjoyed it.

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Welcome to Florida Medical Training Institute doesn't show how much it costs.

and I dislike getting on some email list just to find out.

Anybody recall how much it cost for the phlebotomy/EKG program.

Is it really only 2x a week for 4 weeks?

The website seems like it requires more hours than that.

THANKS

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I had my paperwork from when I registered and it was $1,400 for the phlebotomy and EKG and then it also included CPR with AED certification (if you needed it). It was two nights a week but I remember it being more like 12 weeks of classes.

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OMG, I can't imagine trying to do the Phlebotomy / EKG course at the same time as going to RN school.

I don't know maybe MDC.edu is a really hard RN school.

At least it is fairly inexpensive.

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Hi guys! I just happen to read this thread about EKG certification. I just passed the NCLEX RN and i'm starting to apply in the hospitals. Most of the position requires having basic EKG. I wanted to get it online but i'm not sure if the Florida board of nursing will approve it. Help! This is the site.https://criticalcare.enrollware.com/registration/register.aspx?course=798#

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