Many places that hire phlebotomists will require all candidates to have previous phlebotomy experience. Potential employers and patients want to know that the individual conducting their venipuncture has excellent skills.
Phlebotomists have several ways that they can get the experience they need. This means that although you have completed your course, you may need to obtain more phlebotomy experience elsewhere.
The question that many new phlebotomists ask is where they can go to add to their experience and be eligible for hire. That is what this article will explore.
To obtain experience as a phlebotomist, you may want to volunteer at your local hospital, a doctor’s office or the Red Cross. You may also want to look into volunteering at your local public health agencies. Many of the non-profit organizations are understaffed and need volunteers to assist them with the phlebotomy services they offer.
Some of these facilities include:
- Drug Treatment Centers
- Community Hospitals
- Veterans Hospitals and Clinics
Although internships are usually unpaid, if you request an internship with one of the hospitals in your area, you will gain an enormous amount of knowledge and experience. This experience is likely to be extremely valuable to you in the future.
Many of the health facilities dedicated to veterans have well-developed volunteer services programs. These programs are a perfect way for you to obtain the experience you need to begin your career.
Community Blood Drives
http://www.redcrossblood.org/volunteer
Health Clinics and Laboratory Clinics
Contact the clinics in your area to see if they offer internships for individuals who are interested in entering the medical field. Internships allow you to gain experience and learn about other areas in the medical field.
If the organizations in your area are not seeking individuals to participate in an internship, take this opportunity to ask what their requirements are for their phlebotomists. You can also ask if they offer on-the-job training for phlebotomists.
Plasma Donation Service Centers
If you choose to volunteer at one of these centers, you will be responsible for collecting blood from patients and then separating the plasma from their blood. Then, you assist with returning the blood to the body. Plasma donation services may be willing to hire trained phlebotomists who need experience.
Seek Temporary Employment
Many of the temporary employment services concentrate on finding employees for health care employers. These agencies will usually have flexible work options available. Work options such as part-time work, varying shifts and different work locations. If you decide to take this route, at the time you apply you will need to provide the agency with references, proper identification, and proof of your training, work status verification and work history.
Attend a Certification Class
You may decide to attend a certification class being offered by a private training or health care organization. Even if you already completed a full certification course, if you take an additional course you may be given the opportunity to perform venipunctures and gain work experience. Some trade schools and community colleges may also offer blood draw training.
International Health Organizations
Organizations that travel overseas, such as Doctors without Borders seeks the aid of health care professionals to assist them in completing their mission. In order to take advantage of this opportunity, you have to travel to remote places all over the world. This means that the amenities and logistics may differ greatly from those you are used to having at home.
You may need to undergo an extensive selection process. If you are chosen, you will have to pass the medical screening process and obtain the required immunizations before traveling to these places.
While it is true that these organizations operate in difficult environments,the experience that you will gain is invaluable.
Check the Classifieds
You can look in the classifieds for medical centers, hospitals and blood banks who are looking for phlebotomists.
One organization you could volunteer for is Plannedparenthood.com.
Sites to Find Places to Volunteer
Several employment sites also offer information about finding places to seek temporary employment or volunteer.
These sites include:
Numerous sites dedicate themselves to connecting volunteers with establishments these
sites include:
volunteers.aarp.org/ – This site offers online resources for volunteers to find causes in their area.
Healthcare Volunteers – This site gives you access to ten search engines at once.
Volunteering Abroad
http://www.gviusa.com/ – You can become a part of healthcare projects all over the world.
www.crossculturalsolutions.org/ – This site also offers opportunities to live and work overseas, for a term of 1 to 12 weeks.
http://gomexico.about.com/od/adventureecotourism/a/mexico-volunteering.htm – This site offers you a range of organizations that have volunteer opportunities available in Mexico.
A skilled phlebotomist plays a vital part in the effort to encourage individual health and wellness.
Comments (12)
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I just want to thank people who contributed to this web page. It’s very helpful. Its a jungle out there and to find something useful and interesting it’s not easy.
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Very helpful
Thanks so much for the encouragement and
informative article -
Thank you so much for the useful information. I just finished my course last week of phlebotomy. I have the same concern as the above comments about experience.
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Hi, I would love to volunteer my time and talent. I am a certified Phelbotomist since December 2013. Please, give me some ideas of where I can do this in San Joaquin County.
Thanks
Sandra Fujihara -
Hello, pls i would like to volunteer my time for phelbotomist , pls can u give me some ideas were to go, i live in london. Thank didi
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I became certified in phlebotomy December 2010 I worked at the place I did my internship and then they hired me on it was in the hospital and two years later I had to resign because I was working too many jobs I did love the profession and I would love to volunteer can you send me some information on that
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I have just finished my training as a phlebotomist and had no idea where to apply to get the experience. I found the information on this website extremely helpful and rewarding. It has given me focus and confidence in where to apply for internships.
Thank you. -
The VA hospitals do not let you volunteer as a phlebotomist. Same goes for the red cross. They do not allow you to touch the patients in any way.
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Thank you for the information, I ve just finished my training and certified in January 2017. But I would like to volunteer for exercise in this phlebotomy skills. Can you link me up with the various volunteers needy place around my area . I live in Essex SS141SW area of Basildon, this site is really program well to achieve its purpose. thanks
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I recently graduated May 2017 from phlebotomy school and have put apps n all over texas. i havent heard not 1 response. Is there something that im not doing r saying? Any advice
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Hi
I have completed my phlebotomy training and would like to have a working experience as a phlebotomist.
Please where can i apply for phlebotomy work experience or volunteer. -
I also have completed my training and have my license as a Certified Phlebotomy Technician – CPTI
I also am not receiving any emails, responses. I live in the Sacramento area. Everyone wants experience. I’m willing to volunteer hours during the day. I am hardworking, reliable, compassionate! I worked 20 years at my last job. Just need to be given a chance.
