Choosing a Phlebotomy School near Maringouin Louisiana

Selecting the right phlebotomy technician training near Maringouin LA is a critical first step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult undertaking to analyze and compare all of the training alternatives that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a quality education. In reality, many potential students begin their search by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Another factor you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll talk more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your decision process too. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you pick 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 Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their principal task, there is in fact far more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the tools being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork must be correctly completed to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory testing process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some Maringouin LA phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are responsible for making certain that samples are tested properly using the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they may be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The easiest answer is wherever there are patients. Their work places are numerous and diverse, including Maringouin LA hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a certain kind of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Education, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily two types of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Maringouin LA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to finish and furnishes a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they typically take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program offer a more extensive background in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will probably want to get certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, a number of employers look for certification prior to employing technicians. Some of the principal certifying organizations include:

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

There are several states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, like California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a superior education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Training

To begin with, let’s dispel one potential mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A good portion of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Maringouin LA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-clinical component of the training can be attended online, it may be a more convenient option for some students. As an additional benefit, some online schools are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some expenses, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened also. Just verify that the online phlebotomy college you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the right option for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Now that you have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Louisiana school is important as well as the cost of tuition. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online college. Each of these decisions are an important component of the process for choosing a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Following are a few questions that you need to ask about all of the Maringouin LA schools you are considering prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Louisiana? As earlier discussed, 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 hours of practical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Louisiana or the state where you will be working and prepares you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you pick should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a quality education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited programs in Maringouin LA. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to check out the reputations of all schools you are looking at. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also contact a few Maringouin LA local hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and see if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the Louisiana school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Adequate Training Included? First, check with the Louisiana regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Maringouin LA phlebotomy program that you are considering should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums might signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Find out from the Louisiana colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with local healthcare facilities. They are the ideal way to receive hands-on practical training often not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Maringouin LA healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Finding your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Find out if the colleges you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Maringouin LA health care community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? Finally, it’s crucial to confirm that the ultimate school you select provides classes at times that will accommodate your busy schedule. This is particularly important if you decide to continue working while going to school. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Maringouin LA, make certain they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option also. And if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is in case you need to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Desire to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's helpful to review questions you could be asked. One of the questions that hiring managers frequently ask Phlebotomy Tech candidates is "What made you select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not merely the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what attributes and talents you possess that make you good at your profession. You will probably be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of standard interview questions, so you need to prepare several ideas about how you would like to answer them. Considering there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession appeals to you as well as the abilities you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Technician and the ideal choice for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but take down a few concepts and talking points that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample responses can assist you to develop your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Choose the Ideal Phlebotomy College near Maringouin LA

Making certain that you pick the ideal phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding healthcare career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a superior college. Phlebotomist training programs are available in a wide range of academic institutions, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive assortment of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Course options may vary slightly across the country as every state has its own requirements when it pertains to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to thoroughly evaluate and compare each college before making your final selection. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the ideal college for you. And with the appropriate education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Maringouin LA.

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