Picking a Phlebotomist Training Program near Kaplan Louisiana

Selecting the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Kaplan LA is a critical first step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging task to evaluate and compare all of the training options that are available to you. However it’s important that you complete your due diligence to make certain that you get a superior education. In reality, most prospective students start their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional option you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll discuss more about online classes later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and should be part of your decision process also. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you select the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomy Technician Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their primary duty, there is actually far more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the tools being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork has to be accurately filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab testing procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Kaplan LA phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are responsible for making certain that samples are tested correctly using the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they may be asked to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The simplest response is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are many and diverse, such as Kaplan LA medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a certain kind of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be collecting blood from senior 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 setting would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Certification and Licensing

There are basically two types of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Kaplan LA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to complete and provides a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest means 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 usually require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program provide a more expansive background in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will probably want to become certified. Although not required in most states, most employers require certification prior to employing technicians. A few of the key certifying organizations 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 call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, like Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a quality education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Classes

First, let’s resolve one likely mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A good component of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Kaplan 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 part of the training can be attended online, it may be a more practical option for many students. As an added benefit, many online colleges are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some costs, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced also. Just verify that the online phlebotomist program you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a premium education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the best choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Since you now have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already picked the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Louisiana school is important as well as the tuition expense. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomist online program. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for choosing a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you need to ask about each of the Kaplan LA programs you are considering prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Louisiana? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed before working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Louisiana or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you choose should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a quality education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited programs in Kaplan LA. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of all colleges you are reviewing. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also contact several Kaplan LA local hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and see if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with the Louisiana school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Provided? To begin with, check with the Louisiana regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Kaplan LA phlebotomy program that you are considering should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Ask the Louisiana colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with area healthcare facilities. They are the optimal way to obtain hands-on practical training typically not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Kaplan LA medical community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Getting your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a higher rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Kaplan LA healthcare community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s important to confirm that the final school you pick provides classes at times that are compatible with your busy schedule. This is especially true if you choose to continue working while attending college. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Kaplan LA, make certain they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option as well. And if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is in case you have to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's advantageous to consider questions you might be asked. One of the things that interviewers typically ask Phlebotomist prospects is "What drove you to decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not only the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what attributes and talents you possess that make you exceptional at your profession. You will likely be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of typical interview questions, so you must prepare several approaches about how you want to address them. Given that there are so many variables that go into selecting a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the work interests you along with the strengths you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Technician and the perfiect candidate for the job. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but take down some ideas and talking points that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Choose the Best Phlebotomist College near Kaplan LA

Making sure that you pick the most suitable phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying health care field. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be found in a wide range of academic institutions, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide range of courses in medical care and health sciences. Program options can differ slightly from state to state as every state has its own prerequisites when it comes to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must carefully research and compare each college before making your final selection. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the ideal college for you. And with the appropriate education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Kaplan LA.

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