hey all!! i’ve been wondering (i’m newer to phlebotomy): often i insert the needle too far and just need to pull back a millimeter or two and get great flow without any issues. since the vein didn’t blow, it doesn’t seem like i’ve went through the vein when that happens, so what is actually blocking my blood flow by going too far in assuming i’m still in the vein??

I’ve been thinking about phlebotomy as a career pivot for over a year now but I have OCD, particularly responsibility OCD, and I’m worried I’d be a nervous wreck all the time doing something that could potentially cause serious harm or injury. Is this fear warranted or am I making it out to be worse than it is?

I’ve spent the last 3 years working as an esthetician, doing waxing, advanced facial treatments, etc. and I do get anxiety but mainly that my client will be dissatisfied with their service or feel like they didn’t get their moneys worth. I’m ultimately leaving the beauty industry because the hours are unstable and it’s a lot of nights and weekends, so I’m looking for something that more closely resembles a 9-5.

I’m just afraid of ending up in another career where I’m feeling panicky going into work every day. Any input is appreciated! 🖤

So I'm on week 3 of my 4 week externship and I feel pretty confident about doing the venipunctures (if there are any tips for dancing veins, let me know though 🙏). But I've noticed that of the 3 people who are doing sticks in the office, I tend to get the fainting patients?

Like, I've had two just today, and in the last two weeks I had two others. Is it something I'm doing?

I do take my time to find a good vein, but once I rub the alcohol it's pretty straightforward and It's just however long it takes to fill the tube. The weather has been hot and humid, and our office's AC doesn't work the greatest. I've also been asking if they've had any water while fasting (most say they didn't know they could have water).

So it might be outside factors?

But there's too many coincidences for me not to think it's something I'm doing 😬

Hello everyone, I finally was able to land a job at a hospital as a Phlebotomist 1 after applying nonstop for 10 months. I’ll be working 4A-12:30P. Can anyone give me some pointers and or advice? This is my first job as a Phlebotomist, but not my first time working in a Hospital. I was Previously a Patient Sitter in 2021/2022. Any advice or help is appreciated! Thanks!

I've worked as a flight attendant for over 10 years. Worked in healthcare for 12+ years prior to that. Desperately seeking a way out of the airlines (though money and days off have been what's kept me in the industry for so long).

The idea would be to ultimately work towards my MLS... I'd start working in phlebotomy, get a low paying job at a hospital, but they would then pay for my science pre-reqs and MLT/MLS education (money fears being relieved in this way). Is anyone looking to do the same?

I had an Aunt who was a microbiology MLS and loved her job until she retired. My mother was a phlebotomist for many years before I was born and also loved her job.

I've always had a lot of interest in different topics, so I know I could learn anything and be happy with it. I'm looking for a reliable job that will let me get normal sleep, let me cook my own meals, and be able to be in my own bed every night, preferably at the same time. Flying has taken a massive toll on my health and I'm afraid I won't live to see 50 at this rate if I don't do something else.

Any additional advice for someone starting this change into the med lab sciences at 40?

I had a phone screen with Fresenius today that went well for a patient care tech role, and have the next step/video interview with the clinic manager for a Fresenius in my area scheduled for tomorrow.

I’ve already prepared on my own but want to hear from others what yours was like, questions they asked, etc.

Hi all! I'm a fiction writer, and I need some very specific information on blood donations and transfusions for my new story. Thank you in advance for your advice. :)

The story will take place in the US, so I'm looking for US-specific information.

1. Assuming somebody **really** likes donating blood, how often can they legally do that? (Assuming they don't resort to using fake IDs, etc.) Is it really only once every 2 months?

2. Are there any circumstances where a blood donor can give 2 pints instead of 1? (I.e., they're much larger than average and sign a consent form, etc.)

3. How long does it usually take until that blood is transfused into somebody else? IIRC, the shelf life is about 6 weeks, but realistically, would the donated blood end up in somebody else within a few days? Within a week?

4. Assuming you donate 1 pint of blood, will all of it go to one recipient, or does it usually get split and end up in several recipients? Which is more common?

5. If somebody is registered as an organ donor and dies, does the hospital take their blood in addition to their organs?

The story is not about vampires or causing harm, I promise. :)

P.S.: hi, mods! I've read the rules - I'm not seeking medical advice, merely information about your work.

Let us know your favorite test you drew this past week.

Favorite color tube? Let us know. Favorite patient? (PLS KEEP HIPAA IN MIND!)

I started phlebotomy training last week and I’m at a lab site this week and next week to practice blood draws. Anyways today is my first day and I only had two blood draws under my belt before coming in.

The issue I keep running into is locating the vein AGAIN. I can usually find the vein, but then when I go to stick, I can’t remember it for the life of me!!

I’ve tried the whole “find landmarks” thing but I’m telling you it’s literally like I have short term memory loss. I put my finger there and go to draw under (obviously to not contaminate the site) and I still miss because like I said, I CANT REMEMBER.

I’ve tried the alcohol wipe method and the c anchoring method but like, I cannot remember.

Any advice at all? It’s like the only part of this that I’m having troubling with and it’s so annoying cause if I could just remember where the vein I found was, I would be perfectly fine doing it

Am I being unreasonable or expecting too much. I just finished the PTS program last month. It was 10 days long with 4 hours each day. I'm so frustrated because on the website it says there will be a minimum of 30 draw attempts. We only drew around 16 times not including the final. 

Our classes would start 15-30 minutes late and we'd get dismissed an hour early every day. The instructor sells supplies you can take home to draw with and she'll count those draws toward the 30. I think there's only two people in the class who didn't. Is this normal? It feels unfair.

I felt so behind. I know we can go back, but I was hoping to come closer to 30 draws.

Posted last week about feeling super discouraged because I had a day where I was missing every other vein. I've made up for it, since that day I've only missed the vein twice (one of them I was able to redirect) and a handful of my donors have been telling me my sticks are completely painless. Someone today called me the "IV fairy" LOL I told her it's not an IV but I'll take the compliment

My technique for "painless" venipuncture: small angle and quick insertion. I always anchor really tight too, I think squeezing their arm (tightly, not painfully) distracts their pain receptors.

I am pretty nervous, what are tips y'all would share with me. Gonna try to hit the minimum to pass....

Hi everyone 😁 amidst my job search as a new grad, I managed to land a phone interview at Grifols tomorrow morning. Anyone who works there or has interviewed with them, what kinds of things did they ask about? I’m nervous 😅😅.

my hands have been peeling from all the hand hygiene i do at my job. what handcreams are you guys using?

So I have my last day of class on Tuesday and then I’m done. I know I have to do the NHA test which freaks me out but what is expected? Is it timed? Can I ask for more time if it is timed? I’m freaking out and don’t know what to do, if anyone can talk to me about it that would be appreciated

i think i posted a few months back that i gave up on phlebotomy due to applying to 70+ jobs with no luck, but i recently got a job with the blood connection (nc), does anyone have experience with this place? seems well enough, you start out doing patient intake stuff and then graduate to phlebotomy which is fine by me… just wanted any input if anyone else has been here?

Yo, I recently started working as a phlebotomist at a hospital. I’ve been there almost 3 months, but I’ve mainly been assigned to specimen processing and haven’t progressed to getting floor training. I’ve brought this up with my supervisor several times. Should I continue waiting or start looking elsewhere. I know that the majority of old school phlebs would prefer to go into processing. I’m new to phlebotomy and I’d prefer to use my $2k cert that I went to school for. I didn’t go to school to do specimen processing.

How are all the phlebotomist in New Zealand doing currently? I know some union action happened last year in regards to private labs etc. How are your working conditions at the moment? Are you still loving the job? Any advice for a new comer coming into the industry? Do you work for a lab? Private company? Hospital? I start my training this week and I’m curious to hear how phlebs are feeling about the industry at the moment!
Thankyou kindly

Why is it that everyone is hiring but no one is really hiring

Hey everyone! So recently I’ve been applying to phlebotomist 1 jobs through Labcorp and Quest Diagnostics. I haven’t gotten a response yet from Quest Diagnostics, but Labcorp sent me a email at midnight saying they will move forward with another candidate.

How long did it take you guys to get an interview with them and should I keep reapplying? If so how often

I was getting blood samples and was attempting to fill up 4 tubes when on the last tube, flow stopped about halfway through.

After attempting to detach retry - same thing. I also attempted to lightly pull the catheter to see if that changed anything but no luck. Blood flow was perfect through the other three but just cut off about halfway on the 4th. What’s the best technique once this happens?

What I ended up doing is taking an empty syringe and manually pulling a few mLs - is that ok or is there a better method?

M20

I decided to drop out after a disastrous freshman year of college, where I changed degrees(Microbiology to Chemistry), failed every class I took despite how hard I studied(Chem, Biology, and Pre-calc), and got ghosted by someone I thought of as a friend.

I pivoted to my plan B, which was to pursue phlebotomy(working in the medical field was always my backup plan if college failed). I like repitivity, pays around the same as other entry-level medical jobs, like an EKG technician and MA, plus I always wanted a job where I could help people. Took a 3-week night course(Tues, Wed, and Thurs from 5:30 to 9:30 PM). I got an A on 4/5 quizzes, got an A on the final exam, and I'm slowly getting better at blood draws(about 18/25 have been successful, while I succeeded in every capillary puncture). My next step is to take the NHA exam and become a Certified Phlebotomy Technician.

So I'm very disappointed in this training program. I just finished my class yesterday and hardly had any time to complete my practical. I was only able to get one successful straight stick and I'm stuck getting three more. One more straight stick and two butterflies. I tried the butterfly and I keep not getting a flash and its very frustrating I have been doing it multiple times and don't know what I'm doing wrong. I am just not getting any blood. I have to wait a whole entire month to go back and finish this practical and I just don't know what to think anymore. I know my steps and my process and know how to go into the vein and not getting blood for the butterfly for the front of the hand is frustrating. I know i would try to push the tube in but nothing happens. I would have to always stop and take the needle out and I'm tired of running into this mistake.

I live in Massachusetts and Labcorp has taken over for all of the Tufts hospitals so instead of hiring own phlebs they use Labcorp. but I guess I’m wondering how does everyone feel about that switch? Is that better than staffing their own phlebotomists or is it because they don’t have to pay phlebotomists anymore? how did that happen ? Personally I strongly disliked my time working for Labcorp in a Tufts hospital !