Phlebotomy

[Medinsane]

So I'm a california resident and am interested in getting a job as a part time phlebotomist between college and med school. I've searched on careerbuilder and monster.com and it seems like all of the job opportunities require at least a year of experience. So how do I get experience in the first place?? Also, California requires certification. I would like to hear your experience. Would you recommend it? How was your pay?

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[riceman04]

So I'm a california resident and am interested in getting a job as a part time phlebotomist between college and med school. I've searched on careerbuilder and monster.com and it seems like all of the job opportunities require at least a year of experience. So how do I get experience in the first place?? Also, California requires certification. I would like to hear your experience. Would you recommend it? How was your pay?

Are you in northern or southern cali?

I am from southern cali....In southern cali Cedar Sinai and UCLA both offer courses in phlebotomy.... I applied for the Cedar's Program but they did not allow me to join the program b/c I made it clear that I had no intention on staying in the field as a phlebotomist. However, if you do not live too far from UCLA you just take a phlebotomy class there.

I wish I had known about UCLA offering courses like that....they also offer EMT, EDT, etc... courses too.

 

[riceman04]

So I'm a california resident and am interested in getting a job as a part time phlebotomist between college and med school. I've searched on careerbuilder and monster.com and it seems like all of the job opportunities require at least a year of experience. So how do I get experience in the first place?? Also, California requires certification. I would like to hear your experience. Would you recommend it? How was your pay?

Oh U R N the OC (what city?)....check with UCI and see what they offer. If they do not offer anything check at the local community colleges around there. I do not think you want to deal with that 405/91/PCH traffic if you do not have to do so.

 

[Medinsane]

Socal. UCLA is a drive for me. Hmm I didn't know colleges offere classes. Ill check out some OC colleges then. Thanks!

 

[suckermc]

So I'm a california resident and am interested in getting a job as a part time phlebotomist between college and med school. I've searched on careerbuilder and monster.com and it seems like all of the job opportunities require at least a year of experience. So how do I get experience in the first place?? Also, California requires certification. I would like to hear your experience. Would you recommend it? How was your pay?

hey,

im from nyc and i am taking the phlebotomy certification test friday. google ASCP or NPA and they will tell you what you need to get certified. i took a certificate course from a CC (6 months) and had to do 120 hours in a lab. the pay is about 7.50 and up. if you dont want to take the course (i got it thru my union) yr best bet is to go as a research tech (im doing that now) it pays more. of course if you have more experience the pay goes up, and there are some cool tech jobs using phlebotomy and a college degree.

 

[Medinsane]

hey,

im from nyc and i am taking the phlebotomy certification test friday. google ASCP or NPA and they will tell you what you need to get certified. i took a certificate course from a CC (6 months) and had to do 120 hours in a lab. the pay is about 7.50 and up. if you dont want to take the course (i got it thru my union) yr best bet is to go as a research tech (im doing that now) it pays more. of course if you have more experience the pay goes up, and there are some cool tech jobs using phlebotomy and a college degree.

Research tech, as in no patient contact? I would like to gain experience working in a hospital and with patients. But wow that's ALOT of time for a cert. Couldn't I just volunteer at a clinic or private practice and get on the job training?

 

[riceman04]

Research tech, as in no patient contact? I would like to gain experience working in a hospital and with patients. But wow that's ALOT of time for a cert. Couldn't I just volunteer at a clinic or private practice and get on the job training?

At a free clinic maybe, but not at a private practice....especially in the OC (the OC near the beach I mean)

 

[Bluntman]

I would definitely check to see if other (cheaper) colleges besides the UCs offer the course. I took my EMT course at a community college and it cost like a fourth of what UCSD wanted to charge for the same damn standardized curriculum. Also, those "1 year experience needed" lines are often BS. Sure, they'd *like* it, but other attributes (like personality) can easily make up for it in a job interview setting. Worked for me anyway when my job supposedly required "2+ years". Good luck!

 

[grendel]

Check out Boston Reed. They do CA state cert for phlebotomy. I did it through them in Nor Cal a looong time ago when the cert class was cheap and only a weekend. I eventually lucked out, got a job in an outpatient clinic (easier veins in general), and eventually took a job at a hospital. The pay (12/hr starting) and flexible hours was great for getting some clinical exp. for med school. They might have a location near you in So Cal. G'luck!

http://www.bostonreed.com/programs/locations.html

 

[jllander]

Hey everyone! I was looking for phlebotomy classes in my area (winston salem, NC) and couldn't find any so on a whim, I emailed the Red Cross and just asked if they had any info on phlebotomy in general. They emailed me back and said that they train their employees. I hear they pay pretty well ($15/hour or more) so I think I am going to give them a call next spring and ask about a job.

 

[Medinsane]

Hey everyone! I was looking for phlebotomy classes in my area (winston salem, NC) and couldn't find any so on a whim, I emailed the Red Cross and just asked if they had any info on phlebotomy in general. They emailed me back and said that they train their employees. I hear they pay pretty well ($15/hour or more) so I think I am going to give them a call next spring and ask about a job.

Wow. I should give em a call too! That's awesome.

 

[madonna]

Are you in northern or southern cali?

I am from southern cali....In southern cali Cedar Sinai and UCLA both offer courses in phlebotomy.... I applied for the Cedar's Program but they did not allow me to join the program b/c I made it clear that I had no intention on staying in the field as a phlebotomist. However, if you do not live too far from UCLA you just take a phlebotomy class there.

I wish I had known about UCLA offering courses like that....they also offer EMT, EDT, etc... courses too.

the phlebotomy course is around $1000 at these hospital.
did you find a way to get it cheaper?

 

[madonna]

Socal. UCLA is a drive for me. Hmm I didn't know colleges offere classes. Ill check out some OC colleges then. Thanks!

look on the california website. i forgot the link but its the one where the rules for certification are listed. there are all the accredited schools

 

[suckermc]

look on the california website. i forgot the link but its the one where the rules for certification are listed. there are all the accredited schools

as a research tech , i work in a medical college with patients. having a certified phlebotomist thing works in your favor. you can get away with paying the fee by:

joining a health care union
some tech jobs require you to take it
if yr laid off, have unemployment insurance, help from the state

 

[CoffeeCat]

Check out Boston Reed. They do CA state cert for phlebotomy. I did it through them in Nor Cal a looong time ago when the cert class was cheap and only a weekend. I eventually lucked out, got a job in an outpatient clinic (easier veins in general), and eventually took a job at a hospital. The pay (12/hr starting) and flexible hours was great for getting some clinical exp. for med school. They might have a location near you in So Cal. G'luck!

http://www.bostonreed.com/programs/locations.html

Great link, thanks.

 

[Medinsane]

as a research tech , i work in a medical college with patients. having a certified phlebotomist thing works in your favor. you can get away with paying the fee by:

joining a health care union
some tech jobs require you to take it
if yr laid off, have unemployment insurance, help from the state

What are some examples of a health care union?

 

[angietron3000]

Socal. UCLA is a drive for me. Hmm I didn't know colleges offere classes. Ill check out some OC colleges then. Thanks!

The only one I know of that offers affordable phlebotomy classes in our area is Saddleback, tho I think the phlebotomist in the clinic I work in actually did his training through ROP.

 

[Bluntman]

The only one I know of that offers affordable phlebotomy classes in our area is Saddleback, tho I think the phlebotomist in the clinic I work in actually did his training through ROP.

Awww...Saddleback...*tear*...in my hometown.

 

[veenut]

Sorry, i'm a litle ignorant on this stuff... does a phlebotomist just draw blood from patients or is there more to it than that?

 

[Medinsane]

From salary.com:

Phlebotomist
Draws and collects blood samples from patients, verifies records and prepares specimens for laboratory analysis. May prick finger to draw blood. May conduct interviews, take vital signs, and draw and test blood samples to screen donors at blood bank. Requires a high school diploma and/or certification by a nationally recognized body. Has knowledge of commonly used concepts, practices, and procedures within a particular field. Relies on instructions and pre-established guidelines to perform the functions of the job. Works under immediate supervision. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager.


http://swz.salary.com/salarywizard/...JobCode=HC07000109&geo=U.S. National Averages

 

[riceman04]

the phlebotomy course is around $1000 at these hospital.
did you find a way to get it cheaper?

Yeah but they are state certified courses....and they may even directly prepare you for the state exam that cali will be making MANDATORY in 167 days.

cya!