[mochabean]

Hi everyone,
I'm looking for CNA positions and this fall I would like to take a certificate course in phlebotomy. I've been told that it is pointless to get a phlebotomy certificate if I have no real hands-on hospital experience and that it would be difficult finding a job. I'm wondering if this would be a good idea or not. Thanks for your input!

[mochabean]

Another question I forgot: Would not having a lot of medical experience make it more difficult to complete the certificate? Can someone share their experience? Thanks!

[jnc0713]

Hi, a word to the wise you will be unable to get employment unless you have at LEAST 1+ years experience. I went to school years ago for phlebotomy and spent a year trying to find employment and no one would hire me I was certified and had top honors in my class but that really means nothing in the real world. so i gave up the certification and trying to find a job and went back to school for dental assisting. much easier to find employment in that. But i am not doing that anymore either. I liked it, i choose to get out of it for personal reasons. (divorce, miscarriages, etc.) Now i am excited to be starting my pre reqs at my local community college. Getting my degree has been a life long dream of mine. Sorry to get off track there. But anyways, if you really want to get it go ahead but i dont think it will help in the long run. it didnt for me. hope this helps!

[jnc0713]

oh i forgot to mention i had 0 experience in the healthcare field before starting my phlebotomy class. They had another class called patient care technician the people in that class seemed to have a better time finding jobs because they were trained in EKGs, vital signs also. Something my class was not.

[mochabean]

Thanks for responding! Being able to find a job was the main thing I was concerned about. Looks like I'll have to wait some other time. There's a 12-17 month PCT training program at this Everest Institute, but that school is way expensive. Good luck with everything!

[cjcsoon2brn]

Being a CNA with a phlebotomy certificate is a really good combination and in a hospital setting it has some potential. The biggest thing with phlebotomy is that you need to go to a good school, get a good internship and be able to work full time. I graduated from my local community college with a phlebotomy certificate and did a good job at my internship but everywhere I went said they wouldn't mind hiring me but I needed to be able to work full time hours and I can't become I am still a student. Being a CNA and then having a phlebotomy certificate is really good because there are a ton of CNA jobs out there and if you work in a hospital you will get a chance to use the phlebotomy skills and earn more money. Just be prepared that if your going to get a phelbotomy certificate then you will have to do some real job hunting and be willing to work full time. If you find a really good phlebotomy school they may also train you to do EKGs, basic medical coding and WAIVED tests (which will help to expand your skill set and job options.) Don't count out phlebotomy yet but just realize that it will take some work.

!Chris

[rancelumsden]

There is no single, correct, answer which is why you're getting different responses.
I worked in clinic, hospital, and LTC. In the clinic, phlebotomy was a plus and was a useful skill AND you were paid a bit more for it.
In hospital, unless that was your full time job, a CNA with the skill could not use it --- there were job titles and descriptions and CNA's had their job and phlebotomists had theirs. I have not seen a CNA do phlebotomy work in LTC, but it may well be allowed, depending on the facility.

As a whole, phlebotomy is not in great demand around here, for CNA's. The nurse usually takes care of it.

Someone also mentioned training in EKG's and other 'technical' areas. I received all that in hospital, as part of a 2 week, full-time, paid training plus further training within the first 6 months (including EKG's). But, I have no idea if that is a 'standard' hospital practice or one that is often done in this area.

[ChristineN]

I am a PCT that does phlebotomy. My hospital does not have a lab team like many hospitals, so RN's and PCT's have to do the blood draws. Have you contacted any hospitals in your area? I got all my training at a local hospital, for free. Besides doing phlebotomy, I can also do EKG's, foleys, blood sugars, vital signs, and basic care. I would check local facilities first, before I spent money on a course.

[Feathers]

Hi, this has been discussed in other threads as well. You can search to find some old responses that may also help.

I'm also a PCT that draws blood. I was worried about finding a job at first, but the Phlebotomy training actually helped me get a job in a hospital w/no previous CNA experience. I am not certified though, I never actually took the test, I became too busy w/trying to get into the RN program (which may have also helped me get the job). It was my plan to get a job as a PCT at a hospital while attending school. You never know, you might get lucky & land something. If the opportunity came up at least you'd be prepared. Good luck!

[jajwalker05]

Hi how did you go about getting this postion? Thats exactly what I want. I begin my CNA course tomarrow. 5 week program,