Picking a Phlebotomy School near Oakdale Louisiana

Choosing the ideal phlebotomist school near Oakdale LA is an important initial step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult task to evaluate and compare all of the training options that are available to you. However it’s vital that you do your due diligence to ensure that you receive a superior education. In fact, a large number of students start the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional factor you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll discuss more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and should be part of your decision process as well. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you select the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomy Tech Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their main duty, there is actually so much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the instruments being employed are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork needs to be correctly filled out to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory screening procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Oakdale LA phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are in charge of making certain that samples are analyzed properly utilizing the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they may be asked to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The easiest response is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are many and varied, including Oakdale LA medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a certain type of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be drawing blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from new patients every day.

Phlebotomist Education, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially 2 kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Oakdale LA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to finish and offers a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they usually take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program offer a more expansive background in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will probably want to get certified. While not mandated in most states, many employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. Some of the main certifying organizations include:

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

There are several states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, such as Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a premium education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Colleges

First, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant component of the course of study will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Oakdale 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 in order to graduate. But since the non-practical part of the training can be accessed online, it could be a more convenient option for some students. As an added benefit, some online programs are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some costs, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy college you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a premium education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the right choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Now that you have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already decided on the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Louisiana campus is important in addition to the cost of tuition. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy program. Each of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for choosing a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you should ask about all of the Oakdale LA colleges you are looking at before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Louisiana or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for any examinations you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited school in addition to a guarantee of a premium education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges in Oakdale LA. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of any schools you are reviewing. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their students as part of their job assistance program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also contact several Oakdale LA local 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 check with the Louisiana school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Enough Training Provided? First, check with the Louisiana regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Oakdale LA phlebotomist program that you are looking at should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internships Provided? Ask the Louisiana programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with local medical facilities. They are the ideal way to receive hands-on clinical training often not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Oakdale LA healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Landing your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the Oakdale LA medical community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to verify that the final college you choose provides classes at times that are compatible with your busy lifestyle. This is especially true if you choose to continue working while going to school. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Oakdale LA, make sure they are available 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 sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is in case you need to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's advantageous to consider questions you could be asked. Among the things that hiring managers frequently ask Phlebotomy Tech candidates is "What drove you to choose Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not only the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what qualities and talents you have that make you good at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of standard interview questions, so you should prepare several approaches about how you want to answer them. Since there are several variables that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the profession appeals to you as well as the talents you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the perfiect choice for the job. Don't try to memorize an answer, but jot down several ideas and talking points that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Going over sample responses can assist you to prepare your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to wow the interviewer.

Enroll in the Right Phlebotomist Course near Oakdale LA

Making certain that you choose the right phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomist training programs are available in a variety of academic institutions, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Course options can vary a bit across the country as every state has its own requirements when it concerns phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to thoroughly research and compare each program before 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 select the best school for you. And with the proper education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Oakdale LA.

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