Upcoming Interview at a Plasma Donation Center!

TheMoonisMyLantern, ADN, LPN, RN · Jun 30, 2011

That is a hysterical coincidence! I have no experience in blood donation so I can't really help with your questions other than the fact that they both sound like great questions to ask during your interview.

1. What will my responsibilities in this position be?

2. What is the starting pay for this position?

GoddessLilithLPN · Jul 2, 2011

Thanks for the link qwertyf! My interview is this Wednesday! Please let me know how your first day went! I think I'll thrive at a plasma donation center not only because I'm great at assessments but I also have 2 years of experience with therapeutic apheresis, which is similar to what you will find at the plasma donation center! I figure I'll be able to market myself effectively, maybe talk them into more $$ because not only can I do their assessments but also do their plasmapheresis in case anyone calls out! Good luck next week:-)

ajsmom · Aug 2, 2011

Hello everyone. Hi qwertyf. I've read all the links that you've posted and they are very helpful. Thanks for taking time to post them. I am here because I have an interview tomorrow with a plasma center and I wanted to know questions they usually ask. If you can also enlighten me about what the job entails, would really appreciate it. :)

A little about me. I am in the category of "old grad" RN. Graduated '09 but not much nursing activities due to call of stay-at home-motherly duties. Finally just last month I took the NCLEX and passed in 2nd attempt and now the grim job hunt.

My newborn is now a yr old and we are desperate for a second income. Considering I haven't had clinicals in 2 years (although I feel confident with my assessment skills) is it a right fit for me? How is the training? ...too much questions? I apologize if I am bombarding you with the queries, I just think that you're the right person to ask.

I look forward to hearing from you. Thanks again.

qwertyf · Aug 3, 2011

Just read your post now so your interview has come and gone already. Your question about training: plasma centers are regulated by the FDA so you will receive very in depth training by the company according to FDA standards and requirements. You will most likely be cross-trained in all phases of plasma donation from initial screening to phlebotomy and plasma collection to finally a physician substitute (nurse) where your job will be to take extensive medical histories and perform a head to toe physical exam on donors. You will be trained by the doctor in the facility for several months before you are deemed certifiable by said doctor and the company. I would coninue but a severe thunderstorm has started, gotta get off comp~

ajsmom · Aug 5, 2011

Interview went well. Seemed more casual than I had expected. She gave me a tour of the place beforehand and explained briefly the "whats" and the "wheres". Overall I felt great except that little nasty salary question towards the end. She asked my desired salary, I threw her back the question by asking about their salary ranges for an RN, but she threw it back at me by asking me what I absolutely wouldn't take...so I said instinctively "no lower than 25/hr" and I saw her slightly flinched while she jotted it down her paper. At that moment I thought..."ugh! wrong answer??????!!!"

Before we parted, she was upfront about having to interview more candidates for the position and that she will be needing more than one so expect a call back within a week or two if yay or nay. So far no call.

My husband and dad said, it was too high of a number (in these economy I should be happy with anything above $20). My nursing classmates said it was a reasonable demand if not a little low.

I am in the Los Angeles county where nothing is cheap and jobs are highly competitive. Considering my only medical experience is school clinicals and preceptorship, although I have about 10 yrs experience in customer service (which is a plus for the job). Did I ask for too much?

qwertyf · Aug 10, 2011

I make $25/hr where I work. Actually it's $23 now but will increase after certification. I don't necessarily think you went too high but what was up with her? Couldn't she just cut to the chase and tell you the salary? You could call her back to thank her for the interview and tell her you're really interested in the job and mention that you would be willing to negotiate on the salary. Hope it works out!

ajsmom · Aug 10, 2011

Hi! Yeah it was kinda weird that she can't tell me the salary range...felt like a haggling game. I specifically put on my app that salary is negotiable but she just had to get a number out of me. That's actually a good idea to let her know that I am really serious about the job. She said she will be on vacation this week so I will call her if she doesn't call first since she said she'll let me know on or before the 15th since she is on vacation this week. Thanks for the insight :).

JourneyRN · Aug 18, 2011

I just finished applying for a plasma RN position on a whim. I say "on a whim" because right now I'm a stay at home mom and I'm using this time to casually job hunt (better to hunt when you're not desperate for money, right???) and I am absolutely NOT going to take a hospital job so needless to say I was excited to see such an interesting opportunity.

I was wondering how all of y'all are doing now? Did the ones with interviews get the job? Those that work as a plasma nurse, are you liking it?

Hope everyone is doing great! And maybe my phone will ring soon and God will answer my prayer for a "a nursing job that won't make me hate my life!" :-)

qwertyf · Aug 19, 2011

Hi there. I am still in the process of cross-training for all the other positions first and then in a month or so I'll be training for the actual position I was hired for. So far it's ok. I don't think plasma nursing will make you hate your life, it's pretty non-hectic, you get to take your breaks and lunches and can go to the bathroom instead of holding it all day. Dealing with some of the donors can be stressful at times b/c they have their problems and that's why they're selling their plasma. They can be very rude and angry if they're found to be unsuitable for donation, etc. which is a downer. But plasma banks compensate their employees quite well so that's a plus. It might be a good fit for you, who knows. Hope it works out.

ajsmom · Aug 19, 2011

Hello. I interviewed with a plasma center about 3 weeks ago and followed up with the manager last Tuesday. Her answer was: she is still "undecided" and that I should hear from her next week. In my mind I said...OOookay.... I assumed that since she's just coming back from a vacation that she has her hands full.

Earlier today I got a job offer for RN position at a HIV clinic I interviewed for last week. I eagerly accepted it. No weekends, paid holidays and excellent health benefits. I am so ecstatic I can't even sleep. Only catch is that it's a lot farther from my house compared to the plasma center.

I really wanted to work for the plasma place coz it's a lot closer but I feel like I'm getting the run around. I still think it's a good place to work at since it's a far cry from floor nursing and they offer great benefits as well. This particular one even offer tuition reimbursement.

Good luck! Hope they call soon.

Karl Farmer · Aug 20, 2011

Typically it's one of the lower paying jobs, but it's easy, and you know what to expect. You can also get bonuses if you donate plasma, and they might let you do it on the clock. Also, if you are expert as IV insertion, you should be paid a premium, since any donor that can't get his cells back, or has access problems of whatever kind, can't donate on schedule- and plamsa centers are ALL about getting as many donors as possible, even offering referral bonuses. Also, I ran the Rhogam program at the place I was at- that was fun.