Do LPN's have to draw blood at most clinics?

[Blackcat99]

I have never worked in a clinic. Do most clinics require LPN's to draw blood or do they send their patients to a lab to get blood work done?

[brownbook]

It varies with the clinic. Why do you ask?

[Rathyen]

In both clinics I've worked in, we have a lab that does draws, and they are phlebotomists only. However, I've drawn plenty of patients myself when the lab is busy or the patient is a particularly tough stick.

[Blackcat99]

Thanks for your comments. I have drawn blood in the past but I am not very good at it. So am hoping to find a job where doing labs is not required.

[brownbook]

I feel your pain....(kind of joking but really I have been in your shoes....bad at IV's, bad at drawing blood.) Yet I am now very confident at both procedures. I am not the best, not the "go to" nurse for a hard stick. But I am better than just good.

Being successful at either procedure is 90% psychological. You are really going to limit yourself in finding work if you don't push yourself out of your comfort zone.

I would rather you ask for tips and techniques here at Allnurses on how to become better at drawing labs than live with the fear that you are not good at it and will never be able to do it

[brownbook]

PS.....it is quite possible that you could get a job in a clinic that uses an on site phlebotomist....then with budget cuts decide they don't need that position and expect the staff (you) to do it.

[Oedgar]

I can relate to your concern. I have just gone back to work in an OB/gyn office, after many years at home. My last blood draw was in 1994, because the job I took after that was in an allergy office. We did very little blood drawing there, and my doc did those. My new job again, very few blood draws done in the office. I have been there about 7 weeks and so far we have sent everyone to the lab, but I am told occasionally we draw on cash pay pts. I googled "phlebotomy courses" near my metropolitan area, and came up with a couple that do weekend courses. Now, they claim to certify you or whatever. I do now know how valid that is, but I am not looking to be a certified phlebotomist; just to get a few live sticks in and become confident again.