Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Marrero Louisiana

Enrolling in the right phlebotomy school near Marrero LA is an important initial step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting task to assess and compare all of the training alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you get a superior education. In reality, most prospective students begin the process by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional option you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll review a bit more about online classes later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and need to be part of your selection process too. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you choose the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomy Tech Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their main task, there is actually far more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the instruments being employed are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork must be correctly completed to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab testing process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Marrero LA phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are in charge of making certain that samples are tested properly utilizing the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they may be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The most basic response is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are many and varied, including Marrero LA hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a certain type of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients each day.

Phlebotomist Education, Certification and Licensing

There are basically two types of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Marrero LA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to complete and offers a basic education along 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 exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they usually take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program offer a more extensive background in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will probably want to become certified. Although not required in most states, many employers require certification prior to hiring 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 phlebotomist, including California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a superior education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Training

To begin with, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial portion of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Marrero LA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-practical portion of the training can be accessed online, it might be a more convenient option for many students. As an added benefit, some online colleges are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some expenditures, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a superior education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online may be the right option for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Now that you have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already selected 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 campus is significant as well as the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomy online college. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the process for selecting a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are a few questions that you should ask about all of the Marrero LA colleges you are considering prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed before working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for Louisiana or the state where you will be working and preps you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you enroll in should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited program aside from an assurance of a premium education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are often not available for non-accredited programs in Marrero LA. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s important to check the reputations of any schools you are looking at. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even check with several Marrero LA area clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and see if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the Louisiana school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Included? To begin with, contact 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 Marrero LA phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internships Provided? Find out from the Louisiana schools you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with regional healthcare facilities. They are the optimal means to get hands-on clinical training typically not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Marrero LA health care community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Landing your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Marrero LA health care community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s critical to verify that the final school you choose offers classes at times that will accommodate your hectic lifestyle. This is particularly true if you choose to continue working while attending school. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Marrero LA, make certain they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option as well. 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 find out what the make-up policy is in case you need to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's helpful to reflect on questions you could be asked. Among the things that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomy Tech prospects is "What drove you to pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not only the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what qualities and skills you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of general interview questions, so you should organize several strategies about how you want to address them. Because there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the talents you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the leading choice for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but take down several ideas and talking points that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the interviewer.

Choose the Best Phlebotomist School near Marrero LA

Making sure that you pick the ideal 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 several factors that go into the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomy training programs can be offered in a number of educational institutes, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings may differ somewhat across the country as every state has its own mandates when it comes to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must carefully research and compare each program before making your final choice. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the right program for you. And with the proper education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Marrero LA.

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