Selecting a Phlebotomy School near Greenwood Louisiana

Choosing the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Greenwood LA is an important initial step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult task to evaluate and compare each of the training options that are available to you. However it’s important that you do your due diligence to make certain that you receive a quality education. In fact, many prospective 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 may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll discuss more about online classes later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and must be part of your decision process also. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you choose the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomist Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their principal duty, there is actually so much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must check that the tools being employed are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork needs to be properly completed in order to track the sample from the point 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 may be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Greenwood LA phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are responsible for making certain that samples are tested properly under the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they may be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The simplest response is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are numerous and varied, such as Greenwood LA hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a certain kind of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Certification and Licensing

There are basically two types of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Greenwood LA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to complete and furnishes a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest means 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 phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they usually take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program offer a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will probably want to become certified. Although not required in the majority of states, many employers require certification prior to hiring 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 a few states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, such as California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a superior education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Colleges

To begin with, let’s dispel one potential mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant component of the course of study will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Greenwood LA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-clinical part of the training can be attended online, it might be a more practical option for many students. As an additional benefit, a number of online classes are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some costs, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized also. Just verify that the online phlebotomist program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a premium education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the right choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Now that you have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already selected 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 Louisiana school is significant in addition to the cost of tuition. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist college. Each of these decisions are an important part of the process for choosing a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you should ask about each of the Greenwood LA schools you are looking at before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Louisiana? As previously mentioned, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomist program that complies with 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 College Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you select should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a superior education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges in Greenwood LA. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate the reputations of all colleges 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 screen internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even contact some Greenwood LA area clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and find out if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with 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? To begin with, check with the Louisiana regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Greenwood LA phlebotomist program that you are looking at should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Find out from the Louisiana colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with area healthcare facilities. They are the optimal way to obtain hands-on clinical training typically not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Greenwood LA healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Getting your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Find out if the colleges you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the Greenwood LA medical community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? And last, it’s critical to verify that the final college you select offers classes at times that are compatible with your busy lifestyle. This is especially important if you opt to continue working while going to college. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Greenwood LA, check that they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify 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 completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is should you have to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's helpful to consider questions you may be asked. One of the things that interviewers frequently ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What made you select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not merely the private reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what characteristics and talents you have that make you exceptional at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of general interview questions, so you must prepare several ideas about how you would like to answer them. Because there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the profession interests you in addition to the strengths you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomist and the leading choice for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but jot down several concepts and topics that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can assist you to formulate your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Choose the Ideal Phlebotomy Course near Greenwood LA

Making sure that you select the ideal phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying health care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are found in a wide range of educational institutes, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide assortment of programs in medical care and health sciences. Training program options may vary slightly across the country as each state has its own requirements when it comes to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must diligently evaluate and compare each college prior to making your final selection. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the best school for you. And with the appropriate training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Greenwood LA.

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