CNA, Phlebotomy, or Pharm Tech? Looking for a job while in school.

[ambiti0n]

Anyone know which job tends to pay more?
Tired of working fast food and the pay is only a dollar more the minimum wage.
Really don't want to move back home lol.
Found this hybrid online course for phlebotomy which is only one month and I think it might be an interesting gig.

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[Oxygen206]

I think most of them pay about the same, but this is dependent on where you're located. Where I am, phlebotomists seem to be the highest paid (~$15-17/hour), CNAs are the lowest paid (~$12/hour), and pharm techs fall somewhere in between.

I would do phleb or CNA simply because of the flexibility those positions allow for while in school. You are able to work per-diem at most places which is really nice as a student (as many or as few hours as you decide). I can't speak to the flexibility of a pharm tech, but I imagine it would be less.

 

[Goblue89]

In retrospect, I would have done phlebotomy. Whatever you do, do NOT become a pharm tech. Working at a retail pharmacy will not get you more than $9/hr in most places. It is extremely difficult/impossible to start in a hospital as a pharm tech without experience. Also, I had an interviewer at a medical school who really looked down on the fact that I was a pharm tech!

 

[45408]

pharmacy techs don't really get clinical exposure the way the other two do. I think being a CNA is better, but it might take more training than this phleb course. Ask around and see what kind of job options are open to you first.

 

[maybemed2013]

Even though CNA is a dirty job.. it has the most flexibility... you can work pool ( work whenever you want) for a private agency in S. Fl.

 

[lobo.solo]

I would also say phlebotomy or CNA. Like the other posters have said; you have a flexible schedule for the most part. I would recommend that you checked if the online course will suffice most employers' requirements. I know I had to do 50 supervised blood draws before getting CPT-1 license. Good luck

 

[mybubbles627]

I currently work as a mobile examiner (basically a mobile phlebotomist). I go to peoples home/work locations, draw blood, record medical histories, take vitals, perform ekgs, get urine samples, etc. The results are then sent off so people can get life and disability insurance. I love my job and I love the phlebotomy aspect of it. I think it is great experience. I will warn you though that the likely hood of you finding a job taking a one month (partially online) class is not very high. Most places want/expect people to have more experience than that if they are to be hired. A lot of people don't like getting their blood drawn and they want people with experience so they won't need someone to draw multiple times or have someone else come in and draw for them. Also, different states have different requirements about how many sticks you must perform before you can get hired. Overall I love my job and if you can get a job as a phlebotomist it is well worth it in my opinion. PM me if you have any additional questions. Good luck!

 

[SymphonyNo4]

CNA.

You will get the most clinical experience, and there are usually PRN or home health jobs with pretty flexible schedules.

I'd look in the job ads and see what's available. I did home health/sitter as a CNA and loved it, and had great flexibility.

 

[mvenus929]

I'm biased, but I'd recommend phlebotomy, if you're able to get a job. After I finished my course, it took me about 3 months to find a job. You get to work with a bunch of different health care providers if you work in the hospital (nurses, physicians, medical technologists), and you get a good feel for how the lab runs and the limitations on the tests you may one day order as a physician. My experience in a clinical lab was great, and helped me enormously throughout medical school (first exposure to sterile technique, for instance, first experience with traumas and codes, etc).

 

[circulus vitios]

It depends on where you live and work. My sister is a CNA at a nursing home and she only makes ~$10/hour.

 

[neoevolution]

I don't think any of these positions pay more than maybe $15, even paramedics don't make that much in many cases.

 

[Konye618]

Where do you all live? pharm techs make make the least($10/hr). If you do a combination cna+phlebotomy you are more marketable and can make $20/hr. CNAs in hospitals in nyc can make btw $16-$18, depending on the shift. Goodluck.