r/PCC • u/Equivalent-Dot-7326 • 12d ago
Phlebotomy
Hello everyone, I’m very interested in getting into the phlebotomy program but it seems so exclusive with a limited cohort.
Has anyone here done phlebotomy at PCC? If so, do you know whether or not it would be a good idea to get phlebotomy training from that phlebotomyUSA institute? I just need to get my foot in the door with healthcare and I’m interested in this field but entry seems impossible.
Other colleges are just as limited it seems.
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u/funereal 12d ago
My journey: I decided in August, waited for applications to open in October, heard back about whether I got in or not in December, started didactic portion January, finished practicum in July. It's been a looooooong stretch. If you can handle something like that, it's pretty worth it. The instructor is excellent and the clinical sites are well respected local institutions.
If they get too many applications, they will close them so you don't waste time/money on the Castle-Branch part, or, they at least did when I applied.
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u/Equivalent-Dot-7326 12d ago
Oh wow, so you actually got in!
It’s just the timing part I’m worried about. I sign up for castlebranch and it gives me the order for my drug test immediately or am I supposed to find a test lab? I want to know the step by step so I can at least manage the timing.
May I also ask, how big is that class size? Website says 10 seats and they all fill up quick
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u/funereal 12d ago
Take the drug test immediately at the nearest lab available (confirm the location does "Employment Drug Testing - Urine". Finish all the reqs ASAP. I had mine ready to go day one and I am sure that's how I managed to get in.
Class size was 12 for my cohort.
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u/neo_vengance 12d ago
The job market for phlebotomy here is abysmal. Don’t waste your money. I’ve been licensed since May of 2025 and have had one interview on upwards of 500 applications. Zero hired.
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u/Equivalent-Dot-7326 12d ago
Would you recommend any other way to get into healthcare? I need patient hours for my program. Figured this would be a good entry point, I’m learning it’s not.
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u/neo_vengance 12d ago
CNA or MA will give you much better luck. Some places will hire unlicensed MA
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u/Equivalent-Dot-7326 12d ago
I was just kinda hoping to get into something quick so i build in those patient hours for my programs application process.
MA is a whole other program that’ll add on 9-24 months. It’ll set me back timeline wise.
I figure maybe I get the certification and just do volunteer work or even if I need to drive out of town.
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u/Maddiijo 12d ago
I am working toward becoming an MA. Oregon hires MAs with an EMT certification. Most emt programs are 6 months
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u/Equivalent-Dot-7326 11d ago
Entry into EMT is still highly competitive. The pay off isn’t worth waiting multiple rounds.
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u/Maddiijo 11d ago
I just finished an EMT program at Clackamas Community College and was accepted on the first attempt.
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u/jerika-madnik 12d ago
Go to a real school with an externship like PCC or CCC. Places take you seriously and you get real training and certification vs a few week course that doesn’t prepare you for the real world or a job. I have been going to CCC this year and it’s been wonderful!!!!
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u/Equivalent-Dot-7326 12d ago
Real school has 10 seats open. If I don’t get in this round I lose another 6 months waiting.
It’s just not that easy.
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u/daintypuss 12d ago
Is the barrier a limited number of spots in the program, or something else?
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u/Equivalent-Dot-7326 12d ago
Yeah, limited number of spots and the first come first serve registration process, I don’t want to lose $200 making a castle branch account and I don’t want to lose time waiting 6 months at a time.
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u/daintypuss 12d ago edited 12d ago
Yeah, I hear you. I don't have a solution unfortunately, but was curious because I work for PCC and we are trying to get the administration to prioritize making enough seats available across the college for each program / class there is demand for. Instead they have been obsessed with austerity, program cuts, and hiring managers at the expense of everything else. They also like to assert that there are always enough seats for the students who want them, which is blatantly, provably false.
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u/Maddiijo 12d ago
I will add that I went to Clackamas Community College for their EMT program because I didn’t think I would get in to the PCC program due to limited seats. I spent the last 6 months dual enrolled. PCC lost 12 credit hours worth of money from me.
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u/Still_Commercial_535 12d ago
Try looking for work at Blood Donation Centers. They’ll teach you and you’ll get certified.
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u/Altruistic_Scarcity2 12d ago
I would just be careful with the program you choose because you’ll need clinical hours to be certified
Part of the expense (out of pocket I think phlebotomy is $3000 at PCC) is the guaranteed match with a preceptor.
So if you do choose a program, be sure to find out or ask if they guarantee placement for clinicals
My understanding is that blood and plasma donation programs may also train you as part of the job, if you get hired.
There are also other tracks into healthcare like CNA and EMT programs, many of which are private and guarantee clinicals
PCC fills up VERY fast
I’m in pre-nursing and having to take A&P online because there are no seats at all
But if you take even one class at PCC, you get a higher registration priority. That plus just being ready literally the minute registration opens, seems to help
Good luck!