The Rapides Regional Medical Center School of Phlebotomy has been awarded Continuing Accreditation for 10 years by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS).

The School of Phlebotomy underwent inspection earlier this year and received the longest accreditation time frame possible.

The Rapides Regional School of Phlebotomy is the only NAACLS accredited hospital-based program in the four-state region of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. The other 8 programs are based in a college or university setting.

The School of Phlebotomy is designed to provide students with the knowledge and technical skills needed to perform the tasks of a phlebotomist competently and professionally. It is also designed to enhance interpersonal communications and patient observations. The main function of a phlebotomist is to obtain patients’ blood specimens by venipuncture and microcollection techniques, and to facilitate collection and transportation of these and other clinical laboratory specimens.

Rapides Regional Medical Center offers a free phlebotomy school three times a year, with courses beginning in January, April and August. Learn more about the School of Phlebotomy or the School of Medical Laboratory Science.