Seasonal/temporary/summer Phlebotomist?

[QowsEatDumlogic]

My university is offering $300 phlebotomy training. I'm a freshman. I want to work in the summers since I have nothing to do (and possibly during the school year) and I'd prefer a medically related job, but I've heard that phlebotomists need a pretty regular schedule. I asked a local hospital if they had any jobs at all for the summer and they told me that none of their positions are seasonal because it takes months to get trained with their policies, etc.
Are there places that hire phlebotomists (or unique volunteer opportunities) for more temporary positions? I could just stick to McDonald's again this summer and paid research if I can get it once I'm more competitive. I see a lot of phlebotomists on here, but I never see how they fit work into their schedule, so any input on the experience would be very appreciated.
Thanks!

-Tim

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[tantacles]

If you can find a phlebotomy job with regular hours that will also work with school, there's no reason NOT to do it.

Assuming you can't find one of those jobs, though, remember that there are other ways to bolster your application even if you're sticking with McDonald's for the summer: Spend three hours each week volunteering at a hospital and carry it over into the year or negotiate with a PI to spend 10 hours each week in the lab during the summer as an unpaid intern. Ultimately, that's how most undergraduates get research jobs, and most professors that I've spoken with are happy to have you; you just need to take the initiative and send e-mails to professors whose research you're interested in.

 

[mvenus929]

My hospital had a number of PRN positions for phlebotomists... they'd usually cover people when they went on vacation and worked the 4a-8a shift. Occasionally, they'd fill in on weekend shifts as well. I started as PRN, and then moved to full time when a position opened up because it was nearly impossible to get full time position straight off.

So you might want to look into those opportunities. One of the phlebs I worked with was going to nursing school while working, so it's definitely possible to do both.

 

[willen101383]

Why not work per diem/PT while at school? I was a phleb for many years prior to med school (as was mvenus IIRC) and I am sure she can attest to this fact: its an incredibly useful skill to have. Not to mention it can make you look like a rockstar during M3. 90+ % of med students are downright awful at drawing blood, and this is something that takes a lot of experience to perfect. I havent missed a patient in years (pats self on back).

 

[bunnity]

I worked as a cardiac tech (similar level of skill/training). I did 20 hours a week during the school year and 40 during the summer. Maybe they would be okay with you doing full time summers and then less hours during the year.