Phlebotomy Volunteering

[jb23]

I was told by a few people at the hospital I volunteer at that I should start volunteering as a phlebotomist. Is this a good idea? They said you can get all your training on site, any idea if that is true?

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[willen101383]

I started out my current career as a phlebotomist....then after graduating did an internship in medical technology and have been working as a MT for a long while now. Phlebotomy and my experiences while working as a phleb solidified my interest in pursuing medicine. Many hospitals will on site train you. ( I did 50 supervised sticks then got unleashed to work on my own). I doubt they will allow you to do this as a volunteer...prob. will want to hire you on part time. PM me with any questions..ive been in the lab field for a long time now. I think its a great opportunity!

 

[mvenus929]

We don't accept volunteer phlebotomists. The only hospital I know of that does is the military hospitals, and you volunteer through the Red Cross located inside the military hospital.

I work full time as a phleb. We have trained phlebotomists on the job. But, we have far more success training people for the job, then training them from scratch. The first one we hired (since I started working there), decided that she didn't like getting up at 3 in the morning to come to work, so she was fired. The next couple aren't terribly good, and we all shudder when the new people get stuck working a shift together without an experienced phleb there.

The latest hire that we trained on the job is more of a burden than a help, really. She comes in at 4, and by the time 6:30 comes around, she's done maybe 10 draws, and missed half of them. Granted, I wasn't perfect when I started either, but since we're expected to do 10 draws an hour (on our slowest days, I usually average around 12 an hour), it's far more irritating when everyone else finishes their draws before she even gets halfway through hers. She's also a generally annoying person, and it doesn't seem like she really wants to work, as once we all come up to pick up her slack, she'll disappear.

So, by all means, apply to be a phlebotomist, and hope that you can get hired. But please actually make an effort, or you'll likely be hated by your peers, especially when they're like us and already short-handed.

 

[s1lver]

How long does it take to become a Phlebotomist?
Do you have to take a test for a certificate afterward?

 

[sonofva]

i actually took a 2 day course through a company and then volunteered at the free clinic. they seem to be less concerned with experience and just need the manpower. the experience i got there allowed me to get a job as a medical assistant. now i do all the nursing stuff.

 

[willen101383]

How long does it take to become a Phlebotomist?
Do you have to take a test for a certificate afterward?

It depends..there are certification courses you can take. Its not a "licensed" field. While I am sure the training varies from hospital to hospital...I literally was hired....and started sticking the "rubber arm of doom" on day one. On day two I stuck one of the people who was training me. Then after that I stuck 50 patients while being supervised. So about a 2-3 weeks before I was cut loose. But it takes months and months to get really good....and you just need to be naturally good in my opinion. Some people suck...some people are great. It takes a while to get the "feel" down.

 

[willen101383]

We don't accept volunteer phlebotomists. The only hospital I know of that does is the military hospitals, and you volunteer through the Red Cross located inside the military hospital.

I work full time as a phleb. We have trained phlebotomists on the job. But, we have far more success training people for the job, then training them from scratch. The first one we hired (since I started working there), decided that she didn't like getting up at 3 in the morning to come to work, so she was fired. The next couple aren't terribly good, and we all shudder when the new people get stuck working a shift together without an experienced phleb there.

The latest hire that we trained on the job is more of a burden than a help, really. She comes in at 4, and by the time 6:30 comes around, she's done maybe 10 draws, and missed half of them. Granted, I wasn't perfect when I started either, but since we're expected to do 10 draws an hour (on our slowest days, I usually average around 12 an hour), it's far more irritating when everyone else finishes their draws before she even gets halfway through hers. She's also a generally annoying person, and it doesn't seem like she really wants to work, as once we all come up to pick up her slack, she'll disappear.

So, by all means, apply to be a phlebotomist, and hope that you can get hired. But please actually make an effort, or you'll likely be hated by your peers, especially when they're like us and already short-handed.

👍👍👍


Phlebs generally fall into 2 categories. The dependable ones, come in on time, get 99 percent of their sticks, etc. Generally are pre meds/ pre health students. Then there are your typical "trashy" phlebs. Roll in late as hell, miss most of their sticks, etc. Like the above poster said...they make MORE work for you. You come down to the lab ready to receive your specimens....then that phleb comes down with 15 labels and hands em to you. You miss breakfast...while they go down and eat breakfast and typically are gone for hours after that. Dont be that guy. Take pride in your work. Patients dont want to be stuck 12 times. And as a med tech I can tell you it pisses the hell out of the techs when you dont get your samples in on time. Docs dont have results when theyre rounding...and everyone gets pissy!!!

 

[300382]

You can always find training courses (2 parts - classroom and clinical) at your local community college in the allied health department. It should only take about 3-4 months to complete both parts. The structured clinical training is a good opportunity to practice your stick technique! Once you've completed the course and logged a certain number of sticks, you can take a test and get certified - most jobs require a certification OR some experience. Unfortunately in today's job market, even if you are willing to be trained on the job, this is not always enough to get your resume noticed.

 

[s1lver]

This thread is great! There's a Phlebotomy class being offered at a CC near my area and one of the hospitals has 6 spots for a Phlebotomist! I wouldn't have looked into any of this if I hadn't clicked this thread! Initially, I was looking at this program but I like this one better.

Thanks to everyone! 👍

 

[willen101383]

Get ready to wake up early early! But the experience is unrivaled IMO! Good luck!

 

[s1lver]

Btw, if you're in a class, do you stick needles in each other's arm? That might be fun. 😀

 

[sonofva]

We partnered up and stuck each other in my class. It was the first time for the girl I was partnered with too, so it was a little nerve wracking....

but it is good experience. once you get good you can start drawing off old people, fat people, kids, and IV drug abusers...makes for some good stories and you'll have a leg up on clinical skills for sure.

 

[willen101383]

^^^ It does feel great once you are known as "a good stick." Knowing that 99 percent of the time someone could put a needle in your hand and you could get that sample is pretty empowering.

 

[fratmd]

I applied for phlebotomy positions last fall (2008) but was turned away due to lack of phlebotomy experience. My local comm. college offered a phlebotomy course which last Jan-May, 4hrs one night a week. It was about $600. The first part of the course contained bookwork, basic techniques and practice on fellow phlebotomy students. So, yeah, it's kinda scary having someone who has never held a needle before poking it into your arm. But it allows you to sympathize with your patients later on. We got ~4 sticks in per night of the course.

The second part of the course was 120 clinical hours spent at one of several local hospitals doing supervised sticks. I completed this in May and was hired at the same hospital in June, so try to make a good impression... 🙂 After both parts of the course were completed, you could be certified by the ASCP.

I really enjoy phlebotomy and would recommend it. It's a pretty active job, with lots of bending and walking. I work either 7-15:30 or 10-18:30, so I'm usually running around our hospital, back and forth to the lab. It keeps me busy and gives some excellent clinical exposure too. Good luck 🙂

 

[7starmantis]

I applied for phlebotomy positions last fall (2008) but was turned away due to lack of phlebotomy experience. My local comm. college offered a phlebotomy course which last Jan-May, 4hrs one night a week. It was about $600. The first part of the course contained bookwork, basic techniques and practice on fellow phlebotomy students. So, yeah, it's kinda scary having someone who has never held a needle before poking it into your arm. But it allows you to sympathize with your patients later on. We got ~4 sticks in per night of the course.

The second part of the course was 120 clinical hours spent at one of several local hospitals doing supervised sticks. I completed this in May and was hired at the same hospital in June, so try to make a good impression... 🙂 After both parts of the course were completed, you could be certified by the ASCP.

I really enjoy phlebotomy and would recommend it. It's a pretty active job, with lots of bending and walking. I work either 7-15:30 or 10-18:30, so I'm usually running around our hospital, back and forth to the lab. It keeps me busy and gives some excellent clinical exposure too. Good luck 🙂

Did the same kind of class and certification. Really enjoyed the work, not high on the adcom list for clinical experience for med school so wouldn't do it for that reason alone, but decent money, usually decent hours. Its a skill fewer and fewer spend time gaining, so I'm glad I did it for so long.

 

[jb23]

Did the same kind of class and certification. Really enjoyed the work, not high on the adcom list for clinical experience for med school so wouldn't do it for that reason alone, but decent money, usually decent hours. Its a skill fewer and fewer spend time gaining, so I'm glad I did it for so long.

It isnt high on the list? I was told by several people that it is. A few doctors said they did it themselves.

 

[willen101383]

It isnt high on the list? I was told by several people that it is. A few doctors said they did it themselves.

Yeah, I would respectfully have to disagree with that. I think it is one of the more valuable forms of clinical experience you can get. You are DOING. You arent standing around behind a doctor watching what they are doing. You learn a ton. It is a great form of clinical exposure!

 

[7starmantis]

It isnt high on the list? I was told by several people that it is. A few doctors said they did it themselves.

I was told by several adcoms that while it is technically "clinical" its not really a view into the life of a physician or even really getting exposed to anything a physician does except maybe what tests they order (but even then you don't know why they ordered it). I tend to agree, you get clinical experience but not from a doctors standpoint. The gold standards have always been shadowing and scribe. Feel free to correct me adcoms. I had several years of phlebotomy experience when I applied the first time and was told I needed more "relevant" clinical experience as well.

Plus I have never heard of a phlebotomy volunteer.

Yeah, I would respectfully have to disagree with that. I think it is one of the more valuable forms of clinical experience you can get. You are DOING. You arent standing around behind a doctor watching what they are doing. You learn a ton. It is a great form of clinical exposure!

Um, not sure if you meant this for another thread, but a phlebotomist has zero interaction with doctors. None. The only interaction I ever had with a doctor was during a trauma where 759 people are trying to get to one patient in a 1.5 square inch room. Of course every hospital is different.

sounds like you are talking about shadowing, which I agree is a great experience.

 

[missbones]

I live in California and a friend of mine just completed a 9 month phleb. course. Not sure if that was overkill on her part or a requirement. But generally in CA you need at least 3 licenses to glance at anyone in a remotely clinical setting haha

 

[willen101383]

I was told by several adcoms that while it is technically "clinical" its not really a view into the life of a physician or even really getting exposed to anything a physician does except maybe what tests they order (but even then you don't know why they ordered it). I tend to agree, you get clinical experience but not from a doctors standpoint. The gold standards have always been shadowing and scribe. Feel free to correct me adcoms. I had several years of phlebotomy experience when I applied the first time and was told I needed more "relevant" clinical experience as well.

Plus I have never heard of a phlebotomy volunteer.



Um, not sure if you meant this for another thread, but a phlebotomist has zero interaction with doctors. None. The only interaction I ever had with a doctor was during a trauma where 759 people are trying to get to one patient in a 1.5 square inch room. Of course every hospital is different.

sounds like you are talking about shadowing, which I agree is a great experience.

I didnt mean it for another thread. Must have been your particular hospital. I started doing phlebotomy in 2003. Although I am a Medical Technologist now I still get up on the floor and draw labs from time to time if need be. I ALWAYS had interaction with docs...especially once they knew I was pursuing medical school. I actually have never shadowed before so I cannot speak of its values. I agree it can probobly vary from hospital to hospital. I did phlebotomy full time in 3 different hospitals as an undergrad and the docs and I were always talking. Since then I have been working as a MT...and have been in a large GPs office, a heme onc practice, a cancer center, and now at a long term acute care hospital...and I frequently speak with the docs as well....granted I actually have a need to talk to them.

 

[7starmantis]

I didnt mean it for another thread. Must have been your particular hospital. I started doing phlebotomy in 2003. Although I am a Medical Technologist now I still get up on the floor and draw labs from time to time if need be. I ALWAYS had interaction with docs...especially once they knew I was pursuing medical school. I actually have never shadowed before so I cannot speak of its values. I agree it can probobly vary from hospital to hospital. I did phlebotomy full time in 3 different hospitals as an undergrad and the docs and I were always talking. Since then I have been working as a MT...and have been in a large GPs office, a heme onc practice, a cancer center, and now at a long term acute care hospital...and I frequently speak with the docs as well....granted I actually have a need to talk to them.

Your experience would be the exception then. however, interaction with, talking with, or even being around doctors doesn't necessarily grant you insight into the career of a physician. Take it for what its worth, I worked full time for several years in several large hospitals and began training as an MT. Aside from discussing what labs for what patient at what times, clinical experience that relates to being a physician is lacking. All the feedback I have received from med school adcoms is along those lines as well.

However I'm from Texas, maybe its different elsewhere. Bottom line is do what you enjoy and you will be fine. I would suggest however to at least add in some shadowing or scribe work with your phlebotomy experience. Again, just my own opinions from my personal experiences.

 

[willen101383]

Your experience would be the exception then. however, interaction with, talking with, or even being around doctors doesn't necessarily grant you insight into the career of a physician. Take it for what its worth, I worked full time for several years in several large hospitals and began training as an MT. Aside from discussing what labs for what patient at what times, clinical experience that relates to being a physician is lacking. All the feedback I have received from med school adcoms is along those lines as well.

However I'm from Texas, maybe its different elsewhere. Bottom line is do what you enjoy and you will be fine. I would suggest however to at least add in some shadowing or scribe work with your phlebotomy experience. Again, just my own opinions from my personal experiences.

Hey we can agree to disagree! We have both obviously been in very different lab environments. I dont know how things are in Texas and you likely dont know how things are in the Northeast. However I have been in this career path for a long time now, and think I am pretty well versed in how the clinical lab functions. Its been a while since I was a true phleb, and it took me a little while until I was "into the groove" of the hospitals I worked at. But once the docs (mainly hospitalists) knew what my situation was, they were always talking with me, involving me in procedures, etc. As a phleb you may not be spoon fed clinical exposure, but if you are interested, the opportunity is there. Our pathologists required us to be on autopsy assistant rotation for example. While in the ER, I remember being called upon to do chest compressions/hold pressure on wounds, put in lines (yes yes i know that isnt allowed oh well). However, I know certain hospitals are very strict and color code scrubs and the like...and treat phlebs as phlebs and nothing else...but there are opportunities to find hospitals like the three I worked as a phleb in. Like you said, throwing some shadowing, scribe work into the mix is definitely beneficial and will enhance your exposure. My work as a MT is really where my knowledge levels exploded...but since I am a non trad..and you need a BS to be a MT I realize this wont work for undergrads. At any rate, the lab is a great way to gain clinical exposure.

7starmantis...just so you know, I am in no way trying to insult you or call BS...just that we obviously have very different experiences!

 

[7starmantis]

7starmantis...just so you know, I am in no way trying to insult you or call BS...just that we obviously have very different experiences!

No, not at all, neither am I. I just think that while you may have gained personally from your work as a phlebotomist it would be hard to convey that sort of experience to an adcom who is familiar with more standard phleb experiences. I was basically told my several years of phlebotomy work were basically better served as employment time rather than clinical experience. I just think there are better returns on other clinical experiences for traditional pre-meds who have never worked as a phlebotomist before. Going into it for shining clinical experience on your app just doesn't make sense to me.

 

[mvenus929]

I was told by several adcoms that while it is technically "clinical" its not really a view into the life of a physician or even really getting exposed to anything a physician does except maybe what tests they order (but even then you don't know why they ordered it). I tend to agree, you get clinical experience but not from a doctors standpoint. The gold standards have always been shadowing and scribe. Feel free to correct me adcoms. I had several years of phlebotomy experience when I applied the first time and was told I needed more "relevant" clinical experience as well.

I didn't have this problem. In fact, one of my interviewers had done the same thing before she started med school, and another thought it was very cool that I had worked as a phleb. Those were both students. The physcian interviewers regarded my clinical experience as pretty good, especially because while I wasn't around doctors all the time, I was around a lot of other people in the hospital and got a feel for other careers beyond the doctors.

Um, not sure if you meant this for another thread, but a phlebotomist has zero interaction with doctors. None. The only interaction I ever had with a doctor was during a trauma where 759 people are trying to get to one patient in a 1.5 square inch room. Of course every hospital is different.

My hospital must be rather different from yours as well. We have a fair amount of interaction with the docs. I've been standing by handing docs supplies when they put in central lines. I've gone into the cath lab and watched them do a procedure. I've gone to traumas (which aren't all that great, as you said, because it's rather busied, but you still see a fair amount), as well as CORs/code blue/whatever. We're required to respond as a part of the COR team, and I've stood in a patient's room for 45 minutes while they did CPR and pushed meds and whatnot trying to bring the patient back. I've gone into rooms where docs are doing the exam on the patient, I've been in the surgery hold area when the anesthesiologists are starting the meds and talking to the patient (and when the doc was trying to put in an IV). It's not following a doc full time by any means, but to say I have no interaction with the docs is completely untrue.

 

[7starmantis]

Yeah, guess it depends on the size of the hospital and the medical school.
👍

Thanks for sharing guys.

 

[willen101383]

No, not at all, neither am I. I just think that while you may have gained personally from your work as a phlebotomist it would be hard to convey that sort of experience to an adcom who is familiar with more standard phleb experiences. I was basically told my several years of phlebotomy work were basically better served as employment time rather than clinical experience. I just think there are better returns on other clinical experiences for traditional pre-meds who have never worked as a phlebotomist before. Going into it for shining clinical experience on your app just doesn't make sense to me.

Yeah, I agree. I was probobly lucky in my situation. As I am sure you know, most phlebs arent very highly regarded/educated, and the doctors know that. Once I started telling people I was a college student interested in med school, it seemed like the docs were more approachable. The funny thing is the lab that I was a phleb in full time for most of the time I was a phleb seems to be a breeding ground for physicians. I am starting this coming fall, another phleb is an MS1 at Columbia, another one is an MS4 (forget where), and yet another is now a PA. Def not your typical lab I guess haha!

Although I have never shadowed, from what I gather it seems like a good way to learn what a doctor actually does on a day to day basis....where something like phlebotomy teaches you things like: patient contact/becoming comfy touching patients, and dealing with the dirty disgusting things that you encounter in hospitals, working with nurses/other disciplines, and learning about the politics and BS that you deal with in hospitals.