Picking a Phlebotomist Training Program near Baton Rouge Louisiana

Selecting the right phlebotomist school near Baton Rouge LA is an essential first step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult task to evaluate and compare all of the school alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you do your due diligence to make certain that you get a quality education. In reality, a large number of prospective students start the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another option you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll talk more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and should be part of your decision process also. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you pick the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomy Technician Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their main task, there is in fact far more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork has to be correctly completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Baton Rouge LA phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are responsible for ensuring that samples are tested correctly utilizing the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they may be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The most basic response is wherever there are patients. Their work places are many and diverse, such as Baton Rouge LA medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a particular kind of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be drawing blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially 2 types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Baton Rouge LA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to complete and furnishes a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they typically take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program offer a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will probably want to be certified. Although not required in most states, a number of employers look for certification prior to employing technicians. Some of the key certifying agencies include:

• National Phlebotomy Association
• National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
• American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
• American Medical Technologists (AMT)

There are a few states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, such as Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a quality education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Classes

To begin with, let’s dispel one likely misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial part of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Baton Rouge LA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-clinical portion of the training may be accessed online, it may be a more practical option for many students. As an additional benefit, some online colleges are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some costs, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy program you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a superior education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the best choice for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Since you now have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Louisiana college is important in addition to the tuition expense. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online program. All of these decisions are a critical part of the process for choosing a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you should ask about all of the Baton Rouge LA programs you are looking at before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Louisiana? As earlier discussed, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomist program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Louisiana or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you choose should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a quality education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited schools in Baton Rouge LA. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate the reputations of all colleges you are reviewing. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even talk to a few Baton Rouge LA area clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and ask if they can offer any insights. As a closing thought, you can check with the Louisiana school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Included? To begin with, check with the Louisiana regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Baton Rouge LA phlebotomist program that you are looking at should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums might indicate that the program is not expansive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internships Included? Ask the Louisiana schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with area healthcare facilities. They are the ideal way to receive hands-on practical training frequently not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Baton Rouge LA health care community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Available? Finding your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Baton Rouge LA healthcare community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s important to verify that the final school you select provides classes at times that will accommodate your hectic schedule. This is particularly true if you choose to still work while going to college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Baton Rouge LA, check that they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option also. And if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is in case you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's a good idea to consider questions you might be asked. One of the questions that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomy Technician prospects is "What compelled you to decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not just the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what attributes and talents you have that make you exceptional at your profession. You will likely be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of routine interview questions, so you should organize some approaches about how you would like to address them. Given that there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this primary question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the talents you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomist and the perfiect candidate for the job. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but write down several concepts and talking points that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample responses can assist you to prepare your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.

Select the Right Phlebotomist Course near Baton Rouge LA

Making sure that you choose the most suitable phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying health care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are found in a wide range of academic institutes, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive assortment of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program options may vary slightly across the country as every state has its own requirements when it pertains to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to thoroughly screen and compare each program before making your final selection. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the ideal school for you. And with the proper training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Baton Rouge LA.

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