Lab Assistant, EKG Technician/Phlebotomist

Lamson’s Lab Assistant, EKG Technician/Phlebotomist diploma program trains students in three related skills — clinical laboratory procedures, EKG and phlebotomy, including specimen collection, handling and processing — giving graduates flexibility across more hiring settings. Graduates are prepared for entry-level positions as an EKG Technician, Lab Assistant or Phlebotomist, performing laboratory procedures in hematology, bacteriology, urinalysis, electrocardiography, fecal analysis and phlebotomy, and taking vital signs, and they are CPR certified.

The 720-hour program is seven 80-hour classroom and lab modules followed by a 160-hour externship at an approved San Antonio-area site, during which students must complete at least 50 successful blood draws and 10 successful skin punctures. It prepares students to test for the NCCT Certified Phlebotomy Technician (PH1), Medical Lab Assistant (ML1) and EKG Technician (EKG1) certifications, and Lamson pays for the first attempt of each exam.

Lamson Institute has provided hands-on career training in Northwest San Antonio since August 2007, as a branch campus of the Institute for Business and Technology, which was founded in 1965. The school’s mission is to prepare students for career-focused employment by delivering relevant career training, and its curriculum is reviewed regularly by industry professionals.

• Programs can be completed in as few as 9 to 11 months, with morning and evening classes.
• The campus occupies approximately 55,000 square feet in the Exchange Plaza at N.W. Loop 410 and Bandera Road, with classrooms, lecture rooms, a learning resource center, computer labs, medical labs and specialized instructional areas.
• Small classes: traditional class size is up to 30 students, the maximum student-teacher ratio in a laboratory class is 20 to 1, and computer labs have one-to-one equipment.
• USA TODAY, with research firm Statista, named Lamson Institute one of America’s Top Vocational Schools for 2026.
• Graduates may retake any course they have completed at no charge, apart from books and supplies, when space is available.

To be eligible for enrollment at Lamson Institute, applicants must:

• Have a high school diploma or a recognized equivalent, such as a GED or HiSET certificate, a foreign secondary credential with a third-party evaluation, a qualifying college transcript, or a homeschool credential.
• Be at least 18, or 17 with written parent or guardian approval and turning 18 before their expected graduation date or before beginning any externship, whichever comes first.
• Take and pass the EduReady Admissions Assessment with a minimum score of 75 (two re-tests with an alternate form are allowed). This is waived for applicants with an associate degree or higher from an accredited U.S. school.
• Visit and tour the school and complete a personal interview with an admissions representative.
• Show a valid Social Security card and a valid government-issued photo ID or driver’s license.
• Complete an enrollment agreement, attend a financial aid interview if appropriate, and pay the one-time registration fee.

Students enrolling in the Electrical Technician and Commercial Refrigeration, Heating & Air Conditioning programs must provide evidence of a valid, current driver’s license, because employers in these fields require one. Dental Assisting applicants must also pass a criminal background check and fingerprinting/drug screening and provide a signed order for x-rays (18 fmx/pano) from their dentist.

The program runs in 4-week modules, with classes of 5 hours per day, Monday through Thursday, in the morning (8:00 am – 1:00 pm) or evening (5:45 pm – 10:45 pm) session — a weekly commitment of 20 hours of lecture and lab. The expected completion time is 36 weeks. Students have 8 weeks to complete the externship, but most externships are scheduled at 40 hours per week and finish in one module, so students may complete the program in as few as 34 weeks.

2026 Allied Health start dates (and graduation dates): January 19 (September 25, 2026); February 16 (October 23, 2026); March 16 (November 20, 2026); April 13 (January 1, 2027); May 11 (January 29, 2027); June 8 (February 26, 2027); July 6 (March 26, 2027); August 3 (April 23, 2027); August 31 (May 21, 2027); September 28 (June 18, 2027); October 26 (July 16, 2027); November 23 (August 13, 2027).

Program costs (starts on or after February 1, 2026): tuition $16,567; registration fee $40; books $280; uniforms $50; total $16,937. Students may opt out of buying their books from the school. Tuition is guaranteed for the term of your enrollment.

Financial aid. Lamson is approved to participate in federal Title IV programs for students who qualify: the Federal Pell Grant, the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans, and Federal Direct PLUS Loans for parents. Apply by completing the FAFSA at StudentAid.gov. Institutional payment plans are available for charges not met by aid, Climb Credit offers third-party financing, and the school can bill employers, workforce agencies or the VA for eligible students.

Example entry-level job titles include EKG Technician, Phlebotomist, Phlebotomy Technician, Laboratory Assistant, Mobile Phlebotomist, Specimen Processor, Lab Aide, Patient Care Technician, Dialysis Technician and Paramedical Examiner. None of the PH1, ML1 or EKG1 credentials is required for every position, but they are highly desired by most employers, and passing the EKG1 exam is required for most EKG positions.

Outcomes. In the 2025 ACCET report (students scheduled to complete in 2024), 36 of 41 students completed (87.80%) and 25 of 31 eligible completers were placed (80.65%).

Career services. The Career Services Department helps students and graduates with job leads, resumes, cover letters, applications, interviews and externship coordination, at no additional cost throughout their careers. Lamson does not promise or guarantee employment. Graduates who show 30 days of career-related employment receive a $100 Graduate Employment Gift.

Class schedule. In-classroom programs meet Monday through Thursday for 5 hours each day or evening: the morning session runs 8:00 am – 1:00 pm and the evening session 5:45 pm – 10:45 pm, in 50-minute class periods with breaks. When a holiday falls on a Monday, classes meet Tuesday through Friday that week. All students have a weekly commitment of 20 hours of lecture and lab.

Support. All new students attend an orientation that introduces faculty, administrators and academic life. Tutors are available as needed at no charge, and the Director of Education and Director of Career Services offer advising.

Grading. Grades are A (90–100), B (80–89), C (70–79) and F (below 70), based on written exams, practical exercises, projects and other work.

Graduation. To graduate you must complete all required courses and credits, earn a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0, complete each course with at least 80% attendance, and pass all required competency and skill testing. Graduating students also complete an exit interview with Career Services and submit an approved resume, cover letter and three references.