Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician Course near Lockport Louisiana

Choosing the ideal phlebotomist school near Lockport LA is a critical initial step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult undertaking to assess and compare each of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a superior education. In fact, most prospective students begin the process by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another option you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll review more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and need to be part of your decision process too. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you pick the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their primary task, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the instruments being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork must be correctly completed to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory screening process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some Lockport LA phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are in charge of making certain that samples are analyzed properly using the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they might be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The simplest response is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are many and diverse, such as Lockport LA hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be charged to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a certain kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be drawing blood from older patients. If they are practicing 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 setting would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily two kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Lockport LA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to complete and furnishes a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they usually require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program provide a more extensive background in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. Although not required in the majority of states, a number of employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. Some of the principal 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 in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, such as California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a superior education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Colleges

To begin with, let’s dispel one possible misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial portion of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Lockport 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 portion of the training can be attended online, it can be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, a number of online programs are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some expenditures, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced as well. Just make certain 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 superior education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Now that you have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already selected the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Louisiana campus is significant in addition to the tuition expense. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist school. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the process for selecting a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you need to ask about each of the Lockport LA programs you are looking at prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states require certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for Louisiana or the state where you will be working and readies you for any examinations you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you pick should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a superior education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are often unavailable for non-accredited programs in Lockport LA. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of any colleges you are reviewing. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates 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 even check with several Lockport LA area clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and ask if they can offer any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the Louisiana school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Provided? First, check with the Louisiana regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Lockport LA phlebotomist program that you are looking at should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.

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

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Getting your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, meaning 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 Lockport LA medical community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s critical to confirm that the ultimate program you select offers classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is particularly true if you opt to still work while attending school. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Lockport LA, make certain they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option also. 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 should you have to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's helpful to review questions you could be asked. Among the things that hiring managers frequently ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What drove you to decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not only the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but also what attributes and talents you possess that make you exceptional at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of typical interview questions, so you need to prepare several strategies about how you want to answer them. Since there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession appeals to you in addition to the strengths you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomist and the perfiect candidate for the job. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but take down some concepts and anecdotes that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to impress the recruiter.

Find the Right Phlebotomy School near Lockport LA

Making certain that you enroll in the most suitable phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding health care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior school. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are found in a wide range of academic institutions, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive assortment of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program offerings can differ a bit across the country as every state has its own requirements when it comes to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to diligently research and compare each college prior to making your ultimate selection. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the ideal school for you. And with the proper education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Lockport LA.

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