Picking a Phlebotomy Technician School near Hammond Louisiana

Selecting the ideal phlebotomist school near Hammond LA is a critical initial step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging undertaking to assess and compare each of the school options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you do your due diligence to make certain that you receive a quality education. In fact, a large number of potential students start their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional option you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll review more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and need to be part of your decision process also. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating 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 resume our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomy Tech Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their principal function, there is actually 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 must be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork needs to be correctly filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab testing process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Hammond LA phlebotomists actually work in labs and are responsible for ensuring that samples are analyzed properly using the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they can be asked to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The most basic response is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are numerous and varied, including Hammond LA hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a certain kind of patient. For instance, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from new patients each day.

Phlebotomist Training, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily two types of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Hammond LA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to complete and provides a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they usually require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program provide a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will probably want to become certified. While not required in the majority of states, many 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 prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, like California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a superior education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Training

First, let’s resolve one possible mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial part of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Hammond LA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-practical component of the training can be accessed online, it could be a more practical option for many students. As an added benefit, a number of online classes are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a quality 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 right choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Since you now have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin 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 mentioned earlier, the location of the Louisiana school is important in addition to the cost of tuition. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online college. Each of these decisions are an important part of the process for selecting a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you need to ask about each of the Hammond LA colleges you are looking at prior to making your ultimate decision.

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

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a quality education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited programs in Hammond LA. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college 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 phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of all schools you are looking at. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their students as part of their job assistance program. You can research online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even check with a few Hammond LA local clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and ask if they can provide 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 full compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? To begin with, contact the Louisiana regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Hammond LA phlebotomist program that you are considering should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to furnish 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 health care facilities. They are the optimal means to get hands-on clinical training typically not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Hammond LA healthcare community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Landing your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are considering 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 positions, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Hammond LA health care community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s important to make sure that the ultimate college you choose offers classes at times that are compatible with your hectic schedule. This is particularly true if you decide to still work while attending school. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Hammond LA, check that they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option as well. And if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is should you need to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's helpful to reflect on questions you may be asked. One of the questions that recruiters often ask Phlebotomy Tech prospects is "What compelled you to pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not merely the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what qualities and abilities you have that make you exceptional at your profession. You will probably be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of standard interview questions, so you must organize several strategies about how you would like to respond to them. Given that there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this primary question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the work appeals to you as well as the strengths you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomist and the ideal choice for the position. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but write down several ideas and topics that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Reading through sample responses can assist you to formulate your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to include to enthuse the recruiter.

Enroll in the Right Phlebotomy Program near Hammond LA

Making certain that you choose the ideal phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding health care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomy training programs can be available in a number of educational institutions, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive range of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program options can differ a bit from state to state as every state has its own prerequisites when it comes to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to thoroughly research and compare each college before making your ultimate decision. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the right college for you. And with the proper education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Hammond LA.

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