Find Phlebotomy Training Near Me in Folsom LA 70437

Picking a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Folsom Louisiana

Folsom LA phlebotomist taking blood sample Selecting the right phlebotomist school near Folsom LA is an important first step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging task to analyze and compare all of the school options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you perform your due diligence to make sure that you receive a superior education. In fact, a large number of potential students begin the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional factor you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is far more to researching phlebotomist training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and should be part of your selection process as well. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you select the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomy Technician Career Summary

Folsom LA phlebotomist holding blood sample A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their primary responsibility, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to confirm that the instruments being utilized are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork has to be correctly filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory screening procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many phlebotomists actually work in Folsom LA area laboratories and are in charge of making sure that samples are tested correctly using the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they can be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

Folsom LA diagnostic lab blood analysis The easiest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are numerous and varied, such as Folsom LA hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a specific kind of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are working 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 collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Education, Certification and Licensing

Folsom LA phlebotomy lab There are primarily two types of programs that furnish phlebotomy training, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to finish and provides a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at Folsom LA junior and community colleges, they typically take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program offer a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will probably want to get certified. Although not mandated in most states, many Folsom LA employers require certification prior to hiring technicians. Some of the main 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 call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, including California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only furnishes a quality education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Colleges

attending phlebotomy training classes online in Folsom LA First, let’s dispel one possible misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial portion of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility. A large number of courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-practical part of the training may be attended online, it may be a more convenient alternative for some Folsom LA students. As an additional benefit, many online colleges are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some expenditures, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomist college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a quality education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the right option for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Since you now have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already decided on the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the campus is significant in addition to the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy school. All of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for picking a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you need to ask about all of the Folsom LA schools you are reviewing before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Louisiana? As mentioned previously, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Louisiana or the state where you will be working and preps you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you select should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting agency, 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 a guarantee of a premium education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited programs. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to potential employers in the Folsom LA job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to check the reputations of any colleges 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 assistance program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even check with some Folsom LA 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 contact the Louisiana school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Adequate Training Provided? First, contact the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any phlebotomy program that you are looking at should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums may signify that the Folsom LA training program is not comprehensive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Find out from the programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with Folsom LA healthcare facilities. They are the optimal means to receive hands-on practical training often not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Folsom medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Getting your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the schools you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Folsom LA medical community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s important to make sure that the ultimate college you select provides classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is particularly true if you choose to continue working while going to school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Folsom LA, make sure they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is should you have to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Considering Phlebotomy Training near Folsom LA?

Folsom, Louisiana

Folsom is a village in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 716 at the 2010 census.[3] The town is named after the wife of Grover Cleveland, Frances Folsom.[4] It is part of the New Orleans–Metairie–Kenner Metropolitan Statistical Area.

As of the census[7] of 2000, there were 525 people, 197 households, and 142 families residing in the village. The population density was 344.0 inhabitants per square mile (132.5/km²). There were 222 housing units at an average density of 145.4 per square mile (56.0/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 72.95% White, 24.95% African American, 0.57% Native American, 0.38% from other races, and 1.14% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.43% of the population.

There were 197 households out of which 36.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.8% were married couples living together, 11.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.9% were non-families. 24.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.18.

In the village, the population was spread out with 27.2% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 30.1% from 25 to 44, 22.7% from 45 to 64, and 11.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.0 males.

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Select the Ideal Phlebotomy College near Folsom LA

Making sure that you select the most suitable phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding healthcare career position. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be available in a variety of academic institutes, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive assortment of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings may vary slightly from state to state as every state has its own requirements when it comes to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to thoroughly evaluate and compare each school before making your final selection. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the ideal school for you. And with the appropriate education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Folsom LA.