pharmacy tech, phlebotomy or nurse assistant?

[squirrel33]

So I've applied for three postions at my local hospital: pharmacy tech, phlebotomist, and nurse assistant. I've been through the interview screening and am waiting to hear from any of the positions.

Which job would be most advantageous toward applying to med school (I'm in a two year gap at the moment)? Any opinions on the ups and downs about all three? I have a feeling I'll end up taking the first offer.. but if I was given the oppertunity, I'm not sure which one I would choose right now...

Thanks!

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[RogueUnicorn]

phleb is a super useful skill to have

 

[lobo.solo]

phleb is a super useful skill to have

+1. I don't think pharmacy tech is helpful as med school applicant.

 

[willen101383]

I did phlebotomy starting in my freshman year of undergrad and kept working either part/full time as a phleb right up until my senior year, and then made the switch to clinical lab tech (BS+ training needed) after graduation....for 5 years up until med school...so ive been drawing blood a while. The experience you get as a phleb is very unique. You are sort of on your own, you arent generally with a supervisor when you are out on the floors. You can speak with docs, read about patients, talk to patients about their disorders, etc. As a phleb, you learn what the tests are for, and normal lab values. This was incredibly useful for me in M1/M2/Step1...just one less thing to memorize. It was a great learning experience. Phlebotomy is an insanely useful skill to have. Ive only been on rotations for 3 months and ive already been called on to draw tough patients multiple times, which makes you llook good as a med student. Having those tactile "needle skills" is good for other "needle activities" like central lines, LPs, putting in IVs, etc. As a CNA/transporter/tech you arent going to get phleb training, and will have to deal with a lot of scut BS. Really a no brainer for me. Hope this helps!

 

[dgsilvervid]

I pitch my vote for nurse assistant. That role will allow you to work much more closely with patients. You will develop comfort in interacting with them and will be able to speak to being a long term member of their care. Venipuncture honestly is a very simple skill and it's pretty superficial sure it's "neat" and a fun medical procedure and maybe that gets you excited but practicing as a nurse assistant is a much more complex duty that I believe would serve you better as an applicant and future physician.

I am a nurse now and it has greatly helped me already in the application cycle. You could seriously get a wealth of knowledge from being a nurse assistant.

 

[xXIDaShizIXx]

+1. I don't think pharmacy tech is helpful as med school applicant.

++1 OP I agree.

 

[katiemaude]

+1 for phlebotomist or nursing assistant

I'm a "tech" at a hospital and I do both CNA-type things (sans license) and venipuncture (also sans license). Honestly I'm a little shocked at how much we're allowed to do with only three months of training and no certifications. But it's great for me because I interact with patients all day long and stick them with tiny needles 😛

Venipuncture is not difficult but it's interesting when it's new to you and you get used to touching patients (I know that sounds weird), comforting them, etc while also going about your business and getting stuff done.

It's that time of year in my hospital when lots of nervous new residents and third-year med students hit the floor with new responsibilities. The residents get nervous around their attendings, but a lot of the third years look like they're going to poo poo themselves when they talk to patients, let alone touch them. Best to get that over with now.

 

[pfaction]

I am a nurse now and it has greatly helped me already in the application cycle. You could seriously get a wealth of knowledge from being a nurse assistant.

👍 Nice to see another healthcare professional here.

 

[charmedj7]

+1 to phlebotomy or nursing assistant

Probably more so to nursing assistant, but I'm a nurse so maybe I'm biased. I don't think phlebotomists necessarily learn that much about what lab tests are for or their normal ranges, after all they draw the sample not run the test or see the result. However, I second that it's a super useful skill and being good at it is an instant "in" with the nurses once you're farther along - and for all the people who've said it's easy, I invite you to come try in my population of ESRD IVDA obese ER patrons....

Nurse assistants get a lot of experience with patient contact, vital signs, and a bit of assessing - do I believe this? why or why not? Should I draw the nurse or doctor's attention to what is coming out of this drain?

Though like most things, it is what you make of it. I know very smart on top of things phlebotomists and techs, and I know those that feel no need to tell me they couldn't draw a stat pro-heart or that the patients temperature is 39 C and there hasn't been foley output all day.

 

[mvenus929]

I don't think phlebotomists necessarily learn that much about what lab tests are for or their normal ranges, after all they draw the sample not run the test or see the result.

You'd be surprised on what you pick up. When patients are continually asking you 'why are you drawing my blood' or 'what is this for', you'll make an effort to get a handle on the basic lab tests. At the hospital I worked at, we did a lot of processing of specimens as well, which meant that you had to know what all was in a BMP and CMP and LFTs.

I've been on wards for a little over 6 months now; I've drawn blood once, because the resident was super afraid of doing it and no nurses were available. I probably would have been able to draw it more often if I had made it known that I knew how to draw blood and was willing to do so, since there were more than a few times when the phlebotomists in our hospital were running way behind. I've also reassured patients that we're not going to drain them dry by ordering all these blood tests (and shocked my attending in pointing that out; it was rather amusing).

In the first two years, I was really useful in my small group because of all the protocols I got familiar with as a phlebotomist. Things like drawing CK-MB and/or Troponins 4 hours apart for 12 hours, or checking platelets on women in labor. A lot of the things we learned in the first two years also clicked really quickly because I knew how certain tests were ordered in clinical practice.

Also, of course, you get used to touching patients and dealing with patients when they don't want to see you. Not many people like getting their blood drawn.

 

[Geebeejay]

phleb is a super useful skill to have

I'm a nursing assistant, and thoroughly recommend it especially over pharm tech, but I also wish I had some phebotomy skills. Nothing makes you feel helpless like not being able to obtain your patient's blood for labs.

 

[grapepopsicle]

Phlebotomy and CNA are both great options. Pharmacy tech is not a great way to spend your time if you want to go to med school.

An adcom member once told me flat out that applicants who have worked as a CNA are viewed VERY highly at his school. Phlebotomists less so because they spend almost all of their time doing one thing. As a CNA you spend most of your time providing direct care for your patients as well as forming relationships with them. This gives you great fodder for essays/interviews. But CNA work isn't fun, and can be pretty difficult and tiring when you have many patients to care for. Phlebotomy is probably easier (once you get used to it) and less physically/mentally demanding. And they also don't have to wipe any a****. (although med schools do appreciate this)

 

[TheMightySmiter]

I worked as a CNA for two years and it was far and away the best thing I did for my app. I developed meaningful relationships with so many of my patients. I got to know the kinds of symptoms people suffer from most often due to such-and-such procedure or illness. I learned ways to manage these symptoms. I learned how the physician's orders impact the patient and ancillary staff providing care. I picked up SO much relevant information about inpatient care just by spending a lot of time in the hospital. I got to see people with rare disorders, got to help people walk for the first time after a major accident, experienced the deaths of some of my patients. I learned how to handle rude patients and family members, and how to comfort people who were scared and lonely. I have a deep understanding of how conditions like diabetes and hypertension are so detrimental to public health. I know the best practices for preventing hospital-acquired infections like MRSA, VRE, C. diff. I'm not fazed in the least by being propositioned, by someone throwing poop, by screaming patients, by a 3am admit in alcohol withdrawal.

There are really awful parts of being a CNA, but you get used to them. It's made me realize beyond any doubt that I could never, ever, ever be a nurse. 😀

 

[ShenanigansMD]

I might be wrong here, but I feel that all three choices would give you a different and unique insight on healthcare. So I guess make a decision based on what the other "forum goers" have to say.

 

[leaveit2rani]

either one looks good. but i think phleb and NA take a while to get certified, pharm tech is just an exam. look into EMT too

 

[katiemaude]

I worked as a CNA for two years and it was far and away the best thing I did for my app. I developed meaningful relationships with so many of my patients. I got to know the kinds of symptoms people suffer from most often due to such-and-such procedure or illness. I learned ways to manage these symptoms. I learned how the physician's orders impact the patient and ancillary staff providing care. I picked up SO much relevant information about inpatient care just by spending a lot of time in the hospital. I got to see people with rare disorders, got to help people walk for the first time after a major accident, experienced the deaths of some of my patients. I learned how to handle rude patients and family members, and how to comfort people who were scared and lonely. I have a deep understanding of how conditions like diabetes and hypertension are so detrimental to public health. I know the best practices for preventing hospital-acquired infections like MRSA, VRE, C. diff. I'm not fazed in the least by being propositioned, by someone throwing poop, by screaming patients, by a 3am admit in alcohol withdrawal.

There are really awful parts of being a CNA, but you get used to them. It's made me realize beyond any doubt that I could never, ever, ever be a nurse. 😀

Well said.

 

[HuskerHopefulMD]

I'm taking a CNA class right now, and it is painfully easy, but time consuming as well. As for the CNA job itself, it can be anywhere from relatively hard and doing "gross" things to just prepping patients for surgery by getting their vitals, and shaving where ever they're going to have surgery.

For example:
In short stay, basically all you do is check vitals, get there height/weight, and prep them for surgery (i.e. wash the place they will be having surgery, shave them, and take them to surgery room).
Where as if you're in ICU, burn unit, or surgical unit you would be feeding patients, helping them go to the bathroom, cleaning the beds/patient if they drop a deuce, etc.
When I volunteered in the ER the Nursing Assistant's were more like janitors...

Like all medical professions, the jobs you will be doing depends on your set of patients.
I hope this helps

 

[embracethepain]

dont you have to be trained to do phleb tho? I heard people who only do an 8 hr course and work in clinical research labs doing phleb but i also heard of people who take 2 yr long courses for phleb certifications. which is accurate?

 

[circulus vitios]

Do these jobs commonly offer on-the-job training? I'm looking at my local hospital and they want applicants to have pharm tech or phlebotomy training.

 

[meix]

I think the requirements depend on what state you're in. California's pretty strict and requires a certain number of hours (80 I think?) in class as well as 40+ hours of externship, and then a passing score on the state/national exam, in order to get certified as a phlebotomy technician.

A lot of the programs I've seen in southern California have been at least around 2 months in terms of course length/duration... although I was able to find an accelerated program in which the coursework could be completed in 2 weekends, then externship (not sure about the schedule for this, guessing it depends what hospital you get into).

 

[lobo.solo]

I think the requirements depend on what state you're in. California's pretty strict and requires a certain number of hours (80 I think?) in class as well as 40+ hours of externship, and then a passing score on the state/national exam, in order to get certified as a phlebotomy technician.

A lot of the programs I've seen in southern California have been at least around 2 months in terms of course length/duration... although I was able to find an accelerated program in which the coursework could be completed in 2 weekends, then externship (not sure about the schedule for this, guessing it depends what hospital you get into).

This ^, it all depends where you are. In California it's pretty difficult to get a job in the hospital without experience and worse yet without the certificates needed. Maybe small private practices do on-the-job training.

 

[embracethepain]

I've been trying to get a clinical research position that uses pleb (need to be trained) for a while but dont know where to start looking for these kinds of positions. Does anyone know where to look?

 

[TheMightySmiter]

I've been trying to get a clinical research position that uses pleb (need to be trained) for a while but dont know where to start looking for these kinds of positions. Does anyone know where to look?

Academic hospitals that are associated with a medical school.

 

[embracethepain]

Do people just email researchers and ask if there are positions open that use plebotomy? I have been creeping on university websites but many are very difficult to navigate or do not list job openings. Is it better to call the hospitals and ask?

 

[TheMightySmiter]

Do people just email researchers and ask if there are positions open that use plebotomy? I have been creeping on university websites but many are very difficult to navigate or do not list job openings. Is it better to call the hospitals and ask?

You can sometimes tell by the type of research being done. Can't hurt to email the professor and ask if they're looking for assistants. I'm curious, though, why are you looking for something so specific?

 

[Voevoda]

I am a pharmacy tech with phlebotomy training and from experience I can tell you that you are better of doing phlebotomy. As some people already stated it is a very useful skill to already have under you belt as a medical student.

As a pharmacy tech you do learn about various drugs brands/generics, their actions, and side-effects as well as SIG codes (LOL) and how not to write like a doctor. You also gather knowledge about different insurances. Overall it is not as useful as phlebotomy.

Everything you do in phlebotomy is relevant to your future career as a physician.

 

[DoctorLacrosse]

Stop thinking about it now, CNA is the best option by far. I've been doing it for awhile now, and getting thrown into the hospital and left to care for patients teaches you so much. It was intimidating to me at first, but once you get used to it it's a great experience. I even got to meet doctors that I've been shadowing through my job (I cared for one of the doctor's fathers), and now he wants to mentor me and write me a letter of rec. I like to think ill be way ahead of the game in med school due to my bedside manner and ability to handle some pressure. Being a CNA has been awesome so far, and great money too!

 

[embracethepain]

I've been told it's a great and usefull skill to have and also I want clinical experience that actually involves heavy interaction with patients...this seems to satisfy that need. also-seems really fun lol

 

[katiemaude]

Do these jobs commonly offer on-the-job training? I'm looking at my local hospital and they want applicants to have pharm tech or phlebotomy training.

It's different everywhere. In my state, phlebotomy certification can be achieved with a little over $1,000 for the community college, a couple nights a week for eight weeks and a written exam, plus a couple weeks of an externship (usually a dr's office happy to use you as free labor) and a practical exam.

CNAs pay to go to school full-time for two weeks and take a certification exam.

I went the totally free route. The hospitals in my area train techs with the help of the community college. We get paid to go to school full-time for six weeks (no credit) and learn the basic patient care things you'd pay to learn in a nursing assistant class (for credit) or in CNA class (for certification). Then we spend a week on the wards with our teachers to practice the patient care, and another four weeks half on the wards with preceptors and half in class learning BLS and more technical stuff like blood glucose testing, phlebotomy, EKGs, and the computer charting system used by the hospital. So that's almost three months. And then we spend another 2-3 weeks orienting to whatever shift we're supposed to work, under the watchful eye of a preceptor (a more experienced tech).

 

[Temperature101]

I pitch my vote for nurse assistant. That role will allow you to work much more closely with patients. You will develop comfort in interacting with them and will be able to speak to being a long term member of their care. Venipuncture honestly is a very simple skill and it's pretty superficial sure it's "neat" and a fun medical procedure and maybe that gets you excited but practicing as a nurse assistant is a much more complex duty that I believe would serve you better as an applicant and future physician.

I am a nurse now and it has greatly helped me already in the application cycle. You could seriously get a wealth of knowledge from being a nurse assistant.

How much being a nurse has helped you?...I am a nurse as well but planning to submit my application this week to only DO schools. I am taking the mcat next month...

 

[embracethepain]

You can sometimes tell by the type of research being done. Can't hurt to email the professor and ask if they're looking for assistants. I'm curious, though, why are you looking for something so specific?

Just making sure I'm doing the right thing. Go on hospital website, find doctors, google doctors, look at research bio and if they are publishing, and email them.

Is there a difference between research tech and research assistant in clinical?

Also what types of research usually include pleb? (I'm not experienced enough to tell just by looking at the topics). I would ideally like to do something in endocrinology (since a)it's amazing and awesome and I want to learn more and b) I feel like pleb would actually be useful.

Do you NEED to be trained before or is ok to ask them if we can be trained on the job? Sorry for the excessive questioning...not sure how things work on the clinical side...