Selecting a Phlebotomy Training Program near Enterprise Louisiana
Selecting the ideal phlebotomy training near Enterprise LA is a critical initial step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging undertaking to investigate and compare all of the school options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you do your due diligence to make certain that you receive 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 factor you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk more about online classes later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and should be part of your selection process too. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are considering to help you choose the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online schools.
Phlebotomy Technician Career Description
A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their principal function, there is in fact far more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the tools being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork must be properly filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing 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. A number of phlebotomists in fact work in Enterprise LA area labs and are responsible for making sure that samples are tested properly utilizing the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they may be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.
Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?
The quickest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their workplaces are numerous and diverse, including Enterprise LA medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be charged to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a specific kind of patient. For instance, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients on a daily basis.
Phlebotomist Training, Licensing and Certification
There are essentially two kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomy training, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to finish and offers a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomist. Available at Enterprise LA community and junior colleges, they usually require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program furnish a more expansive background in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will probably want to get certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, a number of Enterprise LA employers require certification prior to employing technicians. A few of the primary 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 prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, such as Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a premium education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.
Phlebotomist Online Certificates and Degrees
First, let’s resolve one likely mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial component of the course of study will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility. A large number of courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical part of the training may be attended online, it may be a more convenient option for some Enterprise LA students. As an additional benefit, some online colleges are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some expenditures, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy program you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a premium education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the right choice for you.
Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Programs
Since you now have a basic 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 kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the campus is relevant in addition to the tuition expense. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomy online college. All of these decisions are a critical part of the process for choosing a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Following are several questions that you should ask about all of the Enterprise LA programs you are reviewing prior to making your final selection.
Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed before working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Louisiana or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for all exams you may have to take.
Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you pick should be accredited by a recognized national or regional accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from a guarantee of a quality education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited programs. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to future employers in the Enterprise LA job market.
What is the Program’s Ranking? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate the reputations of all schools you are looking at. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can research online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also talk to some Enterprise LA clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and ask if they can offer any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the Louisiana school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.
Is Sufficient Training Provided? To begin with, check with the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any phlebotomist program that you are looking at should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums might signify that the Enterprise LA training program is not expansive enough to provide adequate training.
Are Internships Included? Ask the colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with Enterprise LA healthcare facilities. They are the ideal way to get hands-on practical training often not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Enterprise healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.
Is Job Placement Support Provided? Finding your first phlebotomy position will be a lot 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 high rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Enterprise LA health care community.
Are Class Times Available as Needed? Finally, it’s crucial to make sure that the ultimate program you choose provides classes at times that will accommodate your busy schedule. This is particularly important if you choose to still work while going to school. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Enterprise LA, make sure they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option also. Even if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is should you have to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.
Considering Phlebotomy Training near Enterprise LA?
Galaxy's Child
Chief Engineer Geordi La Forge is thrilled when Dr. Leah Brahms comes aboard the Enterprise. Unfortunately, Brahms is nothing like the idealized holographic version La Forge fell for a year earlier. She's cold and humorless, not to mention married. To make matters worse, after she inadvertently discovers La Forge's holodeck program, he's the last person she wants to associate with. But then the Enterprise becomes the reluctant nursemaid to a star child that's draining the ship of its energy.
The Enterprise welcomes aboard Dr. Leah Brahms, one of the lead designers of the Galaxy-class starship engines. Chief Engineer Geordi La Forge, who has previously used a lifelike simulation of Dr. Brahms in the holodeck to help save the Enterprise before (See "Booby Trap"), is excited to meet her, but is frustrated when she complains of the modifications he has made to the engines of the Enterprise. La Forge also comes to learn that Brahms is married, a fact not noted in the holodeck simulation. Dr. Brahms learns of how La Forge previously saved the Enterprise, and asks another crewman to show her the simulation. Alarmed, La Forge tries to stop this, but arrives too late as Dr. Brahms has discovered the computer-simulated version of her, and accuses La Forge of invading her privacy.
As the Enterprise continues its mission while this is happening, it is attacked by a strange space-faring creature that is nearly the size of the Enterprise. Taking defense action, Captain Picard orders a low power phaser burst on the creature, but this kills it. On scanning the creature, Data finds another smaller creature inside it, and the crew realizes that the larger creature only attacked them to protect its unborn. The crew performs a Cesarean section, using the ship's phasers as a scalpel, that frees the newborn, but as they turn to leave, the newborn attaches itself to the ship and feeds off of its power systems, imprinting on the Enterprise as if it were the creature's mother. As the ship's power supplies run low, the crew finds a nearby debris field that the larger creature appeared to be headed for which would serve as a better feeding ground for the infant. When they arrive there on the last of their power reserves, the crew finds that they cannot dislodge the creature. Worse, the creature emits radio signals that attract more of its kind from the debris field which head straight toward the Enterprise. La Forge and Brahms put aside their differences and devise a solution: to alter the frequency of energy as to "sour the milk", which causes the infant to leave the ship and join the other creatures. As the Enterprise power is restored, La Forge and Brahms make up and determine they can still be friends.
Zack Handlen gave a critical review of "Galaxy's Child" for the Onion's The A.V. Club giving it a C+ rating. Handlen wrote that, "I'm pretty sure this isn't a classic; I'm also pretty sure that it has some serious problems…The primary issue here…is that we should be sympathetic to Geordi's mistakes here, and I don't think we're given good reason to be."[1]
Select the Ideal Phlebotomy Course near Enterprise LA
Making certain that you select the right phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding healthcare field. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomy training programs are offered in a number of academic institutions, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive assortment of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Course options can vary slightly from state to state as each state has its own requirements when it comes to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must thoroughly evaluate and compare each program before making your final choice. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the best school for you. And with the appropriate education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Enterprise LA.
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