Selecting a Phlebotomist School near Port Allen Louisiana

Selecting the ideal phlebotomist school near Port Allen LA is an essential first step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult task to analyze and compare all of the training alternatives that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you complete your due diligence to make certain that you receive a superior education. In fact, a large number of potential students begin the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another option you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and must be part of your decision process also. 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 prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomy Tech Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their principal responsibility, there is in fact much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the instruments being employed are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork has to be accurately filled out in order 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 screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some phlebotomists in fact work in Port Allen LA area laboratories and are responsible for ensuring that samples are analyzed properly using the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they may be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The quickest response is wherever they treat patients. Their workplaces are numerous and varied, including Port Allen LA medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a certain type of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be collecting blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Certification and Licensing

There are basically 2 types of programs that furnish phlebotomy training, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to finish and offers a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomist. Available at Port Allen LA community and junior colleges, they usually take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program furnish a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. While not required in the majority of states, a number of Port Allen LA employers require certification before employing technicians. Some of the key certifying organizations include:

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

There are some states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, such as Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a superior education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Colleges

First, let’s resolve one likely mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A good component of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved healthcare facility or an on-campus lab. A large number of courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-practical part of the training may be accessed online, it can be a more convenient option for many Port Allen LA students. As an added benefit, some online classes are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some expenditures, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened also. Just verify that the online phlebotomist school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a quality education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the right choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Now that you have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already decided on the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the college is relevant in addition to the cost of tuition. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist school. All of these decisions are an important part of the process for selecting a program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are a few questions that you need to ask about each of the Port Allen LA schools you are considering prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As previously mentioned, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for Louisiana or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you pick 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 school aside from a guarantee of a premium education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited programs. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the Port Allen LA job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check out the reputations of any colleges you are looking at. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also talk to some Port Allen LA clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and see if they can offer any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the Louisiana school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Ample Training Provided? First, contact the state regulator where you will be working 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 considering should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums may signify that the Port Allen LA training program is not expansive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Find out from the schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with Port Allen LA health care facilities. They are the ideal means to get hands-on clinical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Port Allen medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Getting your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Port Allen LA healthcare community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? Finally, it’s critical to verify that the ultimate program you choose provides classes at times that are compatible with your busy lifestyle. This is particularly important if you choose to still work while going to college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Port Allen LA, make sure they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option also. And if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is should you need to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Considering Phlebotomy Training near Port Allen LA?

Select the Right Phlebotomy Course near Port Allen LA

Making sure that you pick the most suitable phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying health care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomy training programs are found in a variety of educational institutions, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings can vary somewhat from state to state as every state has its own requirements when it concerns phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to carefully screen and compare each school before making your final selection. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the best college for you. And with the appropriate training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Port Allen LA.

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