Finding a Start in Healthcare Through Phlebotomy

I spent 20 years of my life working in the healthcare field and mostly in the field of laboratory science as a medical technologist. I am no longer in the industry due to my own medical conditions, but it was an amazing experience. I started in the medical field at the age of 14 doing home healthcare for a retired nurse that had multiple sclerosis, and she taught me a lot, but it was phlebotomy that first got me into the door, so to speak, in the hospital setting.

I was attending college and considering a nursing degree. I was looking for a job and found an ad from the local blood bank looking for people to train in blood collection. I applied for the job but didn’t realize at the time it would be the job that would begin my career. I had no formal training but they trained me on the job and I learned quickly. I loved working with people and had no fear of needles so it was a good fit. As a phlebotomist with a blood bank you are using large needles and drawing blood units, or bags of blood, so it is good preparation for moving into the hospital or clinic setting.

I got married not long after and had left school for a time, but continued to work as a phlebotomist. A few years later, I went back to school with a major in medical technology to be able to work and do the things in the back of the lab. As a science geek, I loved being able to run tests and work with the microscope. Having my phlebotomy experience, I was still able to work with patients and run the tests, so to me it was the best of both worlds.

Now, I have teenagers of my own who are exploring what they want to do as a career. Many of their friends are looking into the medical field and I recommend to all of them to look into phlebotomy. Yes, you will hear the jokes about being a vampire, but it is a great way to get into the door of a medical facility and see if it is what you really want to do. Most states do not require any formal training and you will learn on the job. As a college student, many of the hospitals you could work for as a phlebotomist will also pay for some of your college, so it works as a benefit in many ways. You receive valuable training that will help you in every aspect of a medical career and you can receive aid for your education. But be warned, if you are squeamish when it comes to blood this is the job that will let you know that and may point you into a medical field in say, radiology.


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