Find Phlebotomy Training Near Me in Harvey LA 70058

Selecting a Phlebotomy Training Course near Harvey Louisiana

Harvey LA phlebotomist taking blood sample Picking the right phlebotomy technician training near Harvey LA is an important initial step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging task to analyze and compare all of the school options that are accessible to you. However it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a quality education. In fact, a large number of students begin the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Another factor you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll review a bit more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is far more to researching phlebotomist training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also significant 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 need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you choose the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomy Technician Career Description

Harvey LA phlebotomist holding blood sample A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their primary responsibility, there is actually far more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the tools being used are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork has to be properly filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory screening process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some phlebotomists actually work in Harvey LA area laboratories and are accountable for making sure that samples are tested properly under the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they can be asked to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

Harvey LA diagnostic lab blood analysis The most basic answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are many and varied, such as Harvey LA hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing blood samples from a specific kind of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be drawing blood from older 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 working in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Training, Certification and Licensing

Harvey LA phlebotomy lab There are primarily 2 types of programs that offer phlebotomy training, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to complete and offers a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at Harvey LA community and junior colleges, they usually take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program offer a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will probably want to be certified. Although not required in the majority of states, many Harvey LA employers require certification prior to employing 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 some states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, such as California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a quality education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Colleges

attending phlebotomy training classes online in Harvey LA To start with, let’s dispel one possible misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant component of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility. A large number of courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-practical portion of the training can be accessed online, it may be a more convenient option for some Harvey LA students. As an added benefit, some online classes are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some expenses, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy college you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a quality education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the right choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Now that you have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already decided on 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 school is important as well as the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomist online college. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the process for selecting a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are some questions that you need to ask about all of the Harvey LA schools you are looking at prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Louisiana or the state where you will be working and readies you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you choose should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from an assurance of a quality education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited schools. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to future employers in the Harvey LA job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to check the reputations of all colleges you are looking at. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even contact some Harvey LA hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and ask 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 submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? First, contact the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any phlebotomy program that you are considering should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums might indicate that the Harvey LA training program is not comprehensive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Find out from the programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with Harvey LA medical facilities. They are the optimal means to obtain hands-on clinical training typically not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Harvey health care community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Finding 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 percentage is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Harvey LA medical community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? And last, it’s crucial to verify that the final college you choose offers classes at times that will accommodate your active lifestyle. This is especially true if you decide to still work while attending school. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Harvey LA, check that they are offered 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 fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is should you need to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Considering Phlebotomy Training near Harvey LA?

Harvey, Louisiana

Harvey is a census-designated place (CDP) in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, United States. Harvey is on the south side (referred to as the "West Bank") of the Mississippi River, within the New Orleans–Metairie–Kenner Metropolitan Statistical Area. The majority-minority population was 20,348 at the 2010 census,[1] down from 22,226 at the 2000 census.

Harvey is located east of the Intracoastal Canal on the Mississippi River, at coordinates 29°53′28″N 90°04′09″W / 29.89111°N 90.06917°W / 29.89111; -90.06917. It is bordered to the east by Gretna, to the west by Marrero, to the southwest by Woodmere, and to the north, across the Mississippi, by New Orleans. The closest highway crossing of the river is the Crescent City Connection 4 miles (6 km) northeast of Harvey.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the Harvey CDP has a total area of 7.1 square miles (18.3 km2), of which 6.6 sq mi (17.0 km2) are land and 0.5 sq mi (1.3 km2), or 7.16%, are water.[1]

As of the census[3] of 2010, there were 20,348 people, 7,544 households, and 5,160 families residing in the CDP. There were 8,895 housing units, of which 1,351, or 15.2%, were vacant. The racial makeup of the CDP was 43.5% White, 41.1% African American, 0.4% Native American, 6.8% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 5.6% some other race, and 2.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 13.4% of the population.[4]

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Enroll in the Best Phlebotomist School near Harvey LA

Making sure that you choose the most suitable phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care field. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are found in a number of educational institutions, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings may vary a bit across the country as each state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to thoroughly screen and compare each college prior to making your ultimate selection. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the ideal school for you. And with the proper education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Harvey LA.