Training Schools for Phlebotomy Tujunga CA 91042 Archives

Picking a Phlebotomist Training Program near Tujunga California

Tujunga CA phlebotomist taking blood sample Selecting the right phlebotomy school near Tujunga CA is an important first step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting undertaking to evaluate and compare each of the training options that are accessible to you. However it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to ensure that you get a superior education. In reality, most potential students start the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another factor you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and must be part of your decision process also. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you pick the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomy Tech Career Description

Tujunga CA phlebotomist testing blood sample A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their principal responsibility, there is in fact much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the tools being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork has to be properly filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory testing process. The phlebotomist then delivers 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 Tujunga CA phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are in charge of making certain that samples are analyzed properly utilizing the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they may be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The most basic answer is wherever there are patients. Their work places are many and diverse, such as Tujunga CA medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be charged to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a certain type of patient. For instance, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are practicing 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 samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Certification and Licensing

Tujunga CA phlebotomist holding blood sample There are primarily 2 types of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Tujunga CA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to finish and provides a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they usually require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program furnish a more extensive background in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, a number of employers require certification before employing technicians. Some 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 some states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, including California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a premium education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Classes

attending phlebotomy training online in Tujunga CA To begin with, let’s resolve one potential misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A good component of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Tujunga CA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-practical part of the training may be accessed online, it might be a more practical option for many students. As an additional benefit, many online classes are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenditures, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomist college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a superior education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the right choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Since you now have a basic understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the California campus is relevant in addition to the cost of tuition. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online college. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the process for picking a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you should ask about each of the Tujunga CA programs you are looking at prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several 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 phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for California or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you enroll in should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a superior education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools in Tujunga CA. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In many states there is little 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 considering. 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 online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also talk to some Tujunga CA area clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and see if they can offer any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the California school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Included? First, contact the California 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 Tujunga CA phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums might indicate that the program is not expansive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Find out from the California schools you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with area health care facilities. They are the ideal way to receive hands-on clinical training frequently not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Tujunga CA medical community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Landing your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a higher rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Tujunga CA health care community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s crucial to verify that the ultimate program you select offers classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is particularly true if you decide to still work while attending college. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near Tujunga CA, make sure they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option also. Even if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is should you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's helpful to consider questions you might be asked. One of the questions that hiring managers frequently ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What compelled you to select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not only the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomist, but additionally what qualities and skills you have that make you outstanding at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of standard interview questions, so you must prepare a number of approaches about how you want to answer them. Given that there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the strengths you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Tech and the ideal candidate for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but take down several ideas and anecdotes that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample responses can help you to develop your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.

Find the Right Phlebotomist College near Tujunga CA

Making certain that you enroll in the most suitable phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are found in a number of academic institutes, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings may vary slightly from state to state as each state has its own prerequisites when it concerns phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must carefully research and compare each college before making your ultimate choice. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the ideal program for you. And with the proper training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Tujunga CA.

Learn About Tujunga California

Sunland-Tujunga, Los Angeles

Sunland-Tujunga /təˈhʌŋɡə/ is a neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley region of the city of Los Angeles located by the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains in the Crescenta Valley. Though Sunland and Tujunga began as separate settlements, they are today linked through a single police station, branch library, neighborhood council, chamber of commerce, City Council district, and high school[1] and various civic organizations. The merging of these communities under a hyphenated name goes back as far as 1928.[2] Sunland-Tujunga contains the highest point of the city, Mount Lukens.

The neighborhood lies between the Verdugo Mountains and the San Gabriel Mountains. It is contiguous on the east with La Crescenta-Montrose. Sunland and Tujunga are divided by Mount Gleason Avenue, with Sunland on the west and Tujunga on the east. Mount Lukens within Tujunga is the highest point in Los Angeles at 5,074 ft (1,547 m).[3][4]

In 1925 there were no sidewalks or curbs in Tujunga, but by 1927 half of the streets had been paved. A state highway ran through the town.[5]

Streets within the Sunland and Tuna Canyon annex to Los Angeles were renamed in June 1929. The main east-west road, previously known as Michigan Avenue, became Foothill Boulevard. Other streets were renamed as follows: Los Angeles Street to Apperson Avenue, Sherman Street to Hartranft Avenue, Center Street to Grenoble Avenue, North Street to Wentworth Avenue, Third Street to Woodward Avenue and Hill Street to Hillrose Avenue. Sunset renamed to Commerce St. Manzanita Drive was renamed McGroarty Avenue in honor of John Steven McGroarty, who lived nearby.[6]

The location could not be found.