Phlebotomy &/or EKG Tech

[Lindyhopper]

Does anyone know how well these courses work. I'm mostly interested in patient contact experience. Can one work part time while taking courses?
The phlebotomy course offered locally is 36 hours, the EKG is 90. At this point it's just an idea so any input would be very helpful.

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[MizzouDrWannabe]

I am a phlebotomist currently and my advice to you is to work in a hospital where you are maily drawing in-patients. You will see a lot more. Do you live in California? I didn't have to take courses to work as a phlebotomist, I was trained on the job and so are the EKG techs in my hospital although I'm sure taking courses helps. The one frustration I have with my job is that I don't have access to charts and so I don't ever really know what's going on with the patients aside from what they tell me or what their labs are. I am thinking of getting into nursing tech so I can have a better idea of what's going on this the pts. I have no idea how much EKG techs have access to that information though. Hope I was somewhat helpful 🙂

 

[Athomeonarock]

I currently work as a patient care tech and am trained as both a phlebotomist and in EKGs( and all the scut work you can imagine). The phlebotmy was on the job and consisted of a 5 hour class then hanging out in the lab to get 50or so supervised sticks. The EKG training (standard 12 lead is all I do) was a 2 hour class and that was it. Ive actually never hear of an EKG tech, is that specifically for cardiology units? If you have to chose one, go with phebotomy, its more fun in my opinion, and it is always a challenge with some patients.

 

[DrMom]

I'd do the phlebotomy.

 

[Stitch626]

That's frightening...a 5 hour class to learn phlebotomy? This is why I hear horror stories from individuals that had have been stuck 14 times to have their blood drawn.

I don't know much about EKG techs, but as a phleb, I must say that I enjoy it. It's nothing I would want as a life-long career, but for the time being, it works. You'll briefly interact with some interesting people and learn a skill that can most definitely be utilized during your med school clinical years.

I'd say go for it!

I just reread your post..the part about patient contact. Phlebotomy is great for learning good bedside manner. The right words and tone can transform a needlephobe into a serene and compliant patient.

 

[psu711]

im from NJ. at the hospital i work at, i was trained on the job for both ekg's and blood draws. I am a emergency room technician, so yeah there is a lot of scut work.