Find Phlebotomy Training Near Me in Raceland LA 70394

Picking a Phlebotomy Technician Training Course near Raceland Louisiana

Raceland LA phlebotomist taking blood sample Choosing the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Raceland LA is an important initial step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging undertaking to investigate and compare all of the training options that are available to you. However it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you get a superior education. In fact, most potential students begin the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional factor you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll review more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is far more to researching phlebotomist training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and must be part of your decision process as well. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomist schools you are assessing 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 conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomy Technician Career Summary

Raceland LA phlebotomist holding blood sample A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their principal function, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the instruments being utilized 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 in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening process. The phlebotomist then transports 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. Some phlebotomists actually work in Raceland LA area laboratories and are responsible for making sure that samples are analyzed correctly using the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they may be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

Raceland LA diagnostic lab blood analysis The simplest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their workplaces are numerous and varied, including Raceland LA hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing 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 practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients each day.

Phlebotomist Education, Certification and Licensing

Raceland LA phlebotomy lab There are essentially 2 kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomist training, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to complete and provides a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at Raceland LA junior and community colleges, they typically require 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program provide a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will probably want to get certified. While not required in most states, a number of Raceland LA employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. A few 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 a few states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, like 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 superior education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Colleges

attending phlebotomy training classes online in Raceland LA First, let’s dispel one possible mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial portion of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved healthcare facility or an on-campus lab. Many courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical component of the training may be accessed online, it can be a more convenient alternative for many Raceland LA students. As an added benefit, many online colleges are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some expenditures, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy school you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a superior education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online might be the ideal option for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Now that you have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already decided on the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, 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 an important component of the process for selecting a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you should ask about all of the Raceland LA colleges you are reviewing before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for Louisiana or the state where you will be working and prepares you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you select should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a quality education. First, 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. Also, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited colleges. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more desirable to potential employers in the Raceland LA job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important 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 assistance program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also contact several Raceland LA clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and ask if they can offer any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the Louisiana school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools 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. At 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 clinical training. Anything below these minimums may indicate that the Raceland LA training program is not comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internships Included? Find out from the schools you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with Raceland LA health care facilities. They are the ideal way to obtain hands-on practical training frequently not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Raceland health care community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Available? Landing your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the programs you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Raceland LA medical community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s critical to make sure that the ultimate program you select offers classes at times that will accommodate your busy lifestyle. This is particularly important if you choose to still work while going to college. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Raceland LA, check that they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is in case you have to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Considering Phlebotomy Training near Raceland LA?

Raceland, Louisiana

Raceland is a census-designated place (CDP) on Bayou Lafourche in Lafourche Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 10,224 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Houma–Bayou Cane–Thibodaux Metropolitan Statistical Area.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 21.7 square miles (56.2 km²), of which 21.6 square miles (56.1 km²) is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1 km²) (0.18%) is water.

As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 10,224 people, 3,656 households, and 2,837 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 472.3 people per square mile (182.3/km²). There were 3,908 housing units at an average density of 180.5 per square mile (69.7/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 71.19% White, 26.23% African American, 0.96% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.65% from other races, and 0.68% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.54% of the population.

There were 3,656 households out of which 37.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.2% were married couples living together, 15.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.4% were non-families. 18.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.14.

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Find the Best Phlebotomy College near Raceland LA

Making sure that you pick the most suitable phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding medical care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior school. Phlebotomist training programs are offered in a number of educational institutions, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings may differ a bit across the country as each state has its own criteria when it comes to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to diligently evaluate and compare each college prior to making your final choice. By asking the questions that we have provided, 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 phlebotomist in Raceland LA.