Southeast Texas Phlebotomy Institute

The course is broken into eleven instructional chapters covered across eight weeks, focusing on everything from basic anatomy and infection control to venipuncture techniques and patient communication. Each topic is designed to mirror what students will actually face on the job.

Instructors also incorporate current needs in public health, like COVID-19 rapid testing, antibody testing, and contact tracing, making the course more relevant in today’s environment. The program blends classroom instruction, hands-on labs, and occasional online learning sessions via Zoom.

You’ll complete 118 hours of Zoom/on-site instruction and 108 hours of independent study, totaling 226 hours. A mid-term exam, practical labs, and hands-on clinical requirements—including 20 successful venipunctures and 20 skin punctures—are mandatory to pass.

---

The course runs on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6 PM to 9 PM, a smart setup for those with day jobs or family obligations. Sessions take place both online (via Zoom) and onsite at their Beaumont campus, located at 3720 West Lucas Drive, right next to Munro’s Cleaners.

SETX has been intentional about creating a balance between in-person learning and virtual access. While Zoom is used to supplement learning, hands-on skills are developed during in-person labs, which are critical for mastering blood collection techniques.

---

The program is priced at $1,450, with a $250 down payment required to secure your seat. There’s also a $25 application processing fee. Books are not included in the tuition, so expect a small additional cost for materials.

If paying the full cost up front isn’t an option, the institute offers in-house financial aid. That’s a huge plus for students who might not qualify for traditional financial aid or loans.

---

Upon completing the course, you’ll earn a Certificate of Completion and be eligible to take national certification exams through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) or the American Medical Technologists (AMT).

Starting pay in the Beaumont and Houston areas reportedly ranges between $15 and $21 per hour, depending on where you work. The school notes that demand for trained phlebotomists has increased, especially post-pandemic, with more jobs opening in independent labs, clinics, and testing sites.

SETX also emphasizes its mission to train students for roles in public health, clinical trials, and community-based testing, which sets it apart from schools that only focus on hospital or lab placements.

---

To be considered for enrollment, applicants must:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Have a high school diploma or GED

Applications are reviewed before acceptance, and decisions are communicated 30 days before classes begin.

---

Founded in 2006 by Pamela Davis-Jolivet, SETX Phlebotomy Institute is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. Ms. Davis-Jolivet has over 35 years of experience in public health and healthcare and brings her background working with institutions like Baylor College of Medicine and The Methodist Hospital into the classroom.

The program’s credibility is backed by community partnerships and its history of training phlebotomists in Southeast Texas for nearly two decades. They’ve also recently expanded their healthcare offerings to include Pharmacy Technician training, led by Brenda Davis.

---

One of the most noteworthy elements of SETX is its strong community focus. The school isn’t just preparing students for jobs—it’s preparing them to take active roles in public health. Whether that’s through contact tracing, rapid testing, or clinical research, graduates of this program are encouraged to see themselves as part of a larger healthcare mission.

The school also makes an effort to foster student connection and support, especially through its online learning format. SETX understands that learning remotely can feel isolating, so instructors are committed to building a positive and collaborative student experience.

---