UCLA Phlebotomy

jjjoy, LPN · Dec 17, 2008

I've no idea what the job market is like these days, but when I was a UCLA student some years back, a pre-med acquaintance worked as a phlebotomist at the local VA facility throughout school as a part-time job to cover expenses. Her shift was something like 4:30am-7:30am. I'm not sure what it paid, but I remember thinking it was pretty good for a PT job. I do think she had an acquaintance who originally helped her land the job.

Even if you can't get a job, though, the class should be a good experience for a pre-nursing student, especially since, as you say, it provides a good deal of hands-on practice. Maybe you can use the class to network some, too. Your classmates may be able to alert you to job openings they may know of. And when you are doing the clinical portion, you'll likely be paired with a working phlebotomist, so ask them how they got started and for any advice.

I'm not sure what qualifications UCLA looks for in it's nursing assistants (or patient care techs or whatever they call them) but that's worth looking into as well. A CNA course can also be a good investment for a pre-nursing student.

trixieloohoo · Jan 8, 2009

I went through the same program 4 years ago- most of the people in the class were people who had been working as phlebotomists a long time but were not certified. There was a lot of grumbling about this new state requirement. I did not pursue it as a job because I found there were a lot of people unhappy at UCLA (I wanted to stay there for personal reasons) and a lot of turnover. The pay was pretty lousy too at UCLA- about $13-15/hr to start although I heard it was much better elsewhere. I think if you have to be licensed to do anything, you should be fairly compensated. I think this is why there is a lot of turnover at UCLA- a lot of work and low wages. I also heard it is not easy to get your foot in the door as a new phlebotomist without help. I would try the VA and the Red Cross- they need people and it would be a way to get experience. Or work at UCLA just to get a year or two of experience- then find something better paying.

jjjoy, LPN · Jan 8, 2009

IThe pay was pretty lousy too at UCLA- about $13-15/hr to start... I think if you have to be licensed to do anything, you should be fairly compensated.

It's certification and involves 80 hours of training. So is $13-15 to start all that bad? To me, it sounds like the major drawbacks are difficulty in getting that first job and that in the long term there's likely little room for career advancement.

Here are the California certification requirements:

A person without any phlebotomy experience must meet the following;

Have a minimum of a high school graduate equivalent or GED.

Complete 40 hours phlebotomy class training from an approved school.

Complete 40 hours phlebotomy practice that includes at least 50 venipunctures and 10 skin punctures.

Pass an approved phlebotomy certification exam.

Apply for certification, pay application fee.

AutumnChic · Jan 9, 2009

Thanks for the helpful info!!

trixieloohoo · Jan 10, 2009

Other hospitals and clinics in the LA area pay $17-20/hr. for new grads of phlebotomy classes such as UCLA. The program at UCLA is well-regarded. If you do apply for a position at UCLA, be prepared to be orally examined by the hiring supervisors. I was not expecting this during my interview and I know I did not impress them even though I scored very high on class exams as well as on the state exam. I believe UCLA is more inclined to start new phlebotomists off with less-desirable shifts so if you are flexible with yours hours, you should not have too much trouble finding a position.

Forgive me if you mentioned this but are you planning to use phlebotomy as a stepping stone to another medical career? Venipuncture is a very valuable skill to have regardless of what you do with it.

Are Claudia and Gearge still running the show?

AutumnChic · Jan 10, 2009

Thanks for all the info trixie,

I am starting the class on the 20th of this month so I'm not sure who the instructors will be yet. I wasn't sure on where I was planning to apply for work after I'm certified, I have heard its kinda hard to get a job as a new grad though, which makes me a little nervous, but I'm going to do it! I'm going to continue taking pre-reqs for nursing after I'm through with this phlebotomy training. I figure its a good intro to what I'm getting myself into in the medical field.

I was also beginning to wonder if I made a good choice with ucla, its kinda far from me (I live in pasadena) and I know theres closer programs but I was hoping it would be worth it as far as recognition and quality of training goes. As far as the rigor of the class itself, how would you say it went? Fairly easy? Tough? Tougher than you thought? I'm just curious. I'm not going to be taking any other classes while in the program, but I'll still be working a bit. Thanks!!

Also, if you don't mind my asking because I'm curious, do you work at ucla as a phlebotomist?

trixieloohoo · Jan 25, 2009

I found the course very manageable in terms of coursework- class time and exams. It is not a cakewalk and you do have to study but entirely doable. However, some people (including me) had problems finishing up the clinical hours only because there were not enough shifts for everyone. Also, part of your training involves doing finger sticks at a clinic near downtown LA- you must do a certain number to be certified. The problem for me was that there just were not enough people the day I was assigned so I had to come back at a time convenient for the staff at the clinic. This delayed my taking the state exam (which UCLA administers).

I do not know any other programs but I understand some are quite a bit more money than UCLA. I think if you keep an open mind and are flexible in terms of shifts you will accept, you should not have a problem finding a job as a newly-trained phlebotomist. Cast a wide net- research labs need phlebotomists to draw blood on subjects, private clinics, doctor's offices, etc. And if you are interested in going into nursing, this is a great way to see what medicine is all about.