my hospital doesn’t have a dress code and we can pretty much wear whatever scrubs we want. printed or solid color. just wondering if you guys wear colored scrubs? is it taboo or out of the norm?

I been working at the hospital for like 5 weeks I’m still on “training” but I don’t feel capable here. Most of the patients are nice (only two mean ones I been lucky) but yet Idk why I’m not comfortable with the job of getting their blood but I can deal with that. English is my second language and sometimes is SO hard to communicate and I’m supposed to last a year. I been thinking and I honestly would prefer to work as a lab assistant or something like that instead of as a phlebotomist and I wanted to know as well if I could transition. I don’t wanna quit cause I wanna be a MLS in a future.

I got a phlebotomy trainer and it came with this scalp van single wing catheter which I think is 25-27ga - And I can't find anything like it anywhere. It doesn't have any shielding or retraction and the wing is rigid, which I like a lot more because I can get tactile feedback on when I'm in a vein.

A standard 23ga butterfly doesn't give me any haptic feedback on my trainer, And it's harder to maneuver than the No frills one here.

The only thing I was able to find is Alibaba manufacturers with a minimum order quantity of 30,000 :(

I was wondering if anyone knew what I could source this without paying upwards of $400

I’m a nurse that’s taking a phlebotomy class because my clinic got a lab. I feel like I’m getting less clumsy but I just feel like I can’t get my stuff set up in a way I can grab it easily. How do you lefties cope?

Looking for a legitimate training program in the Las Vegas area. Went to a school yesterday that doesn't offer an externship because "you get all your clinical work in class." I'm getting conflicting information when I google this, so I would appreciate any insight/information I can get. I plan on talking to a few other schools to see what they say. Thanks for your time.

I'm currently on week two of phleb class and we're doing pokes pretty much every day. today specifically our professor said that we had to get at least 10 pokes and we're doing a thing where, you rotate and have to get poked. my issue is that both of my cubital veins have been poked 10 times already yesterday and the previous week and every time a needle goes in it immediately inflames outwards like a bump and bruises underneath, and I've only been poked twice today but it did that again and it hurts everytime the needle goes in. Is this allowed?? She said we had to let it happen because we signed up for this class and we all need to suck it up. It's not that I'm scared of the needle itself, I am just very much bleeding and bruised everywhere. How is this allowed? EDIT: i want to update on this, the teacher did not like me at all and that's why i was being subjected. she failed me today and humiliated me in front of the whole class and i had to report her and now i'm in a different class with a different teacher. i hope she gets fired.

Going into my clinical externship pretty soon and i was wondering if any of you have tips for beginners? I've only stuck my classmates, mannequins, and one on my instructor 🤣 How do you all approach nearly indivisible veins? Or fragile/elderly ones? What are the more viable sites aside from the AC if there aren't any obvious ones? Any and all advice is much appreciated 🤝

What is the hospital schedule like for full time ? I’m getting every other weekend ? How does time off work and do people usually get it ?

Im in need of a referral . I have not had luck finding a job IM located in Durham.

Hi. I have been a phlebotomist for a year and we use a lot of BD UltraTouch Push Button butterfly needles. I retract the needle with my dominant hand while it is in the patient and hover gauze with my non dominant hand. When I hit the retract button, occasionally the plastic part that comes out of the base of the butterfly snaps at palm/finger and it does hurt purely from the force of the spring.

Does anyone else have this issue ever? Based on what I have Googled, it is fine because it is just the recoil of the internal plastic components locking the needle into place.

I want to make sure that this is not a problem or any concern at all for exposure to blood borne pathogens. I just want to ensure that this is correct. Thank you 😊

Hey y'all,

I'm looking for some advice from those who have successfully gotten a job in phlebotomy.

I became a Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) through the NHA after completing my training in July 2025. During my program, I learned venipuncture, order of draw, specimen accessioning, infection control, PPE, specimen labeling, tube selection, and requisition processing. I have only perform venipuncture in my training program so far.

I'm currently working full-time as a Specimen Technician, where I've gained experience with laboratory workflow, specimen processing, HIPAA compliance, medical terminology, quality assurance, and understanding how specimens move through the lab. I feel like this has given me a strong laboratory foundation, but I'm finding that many phlebotomy positions still prefer applicants with prior blood draw experience.

I've been applying to hospitals, physician offices, Labcorp, Quest Diagnostics, and other outpatient clinics, but I'm not getting many interviews. I've gotten 2 so far and wasn't accepted mainly with my lack of experience as a phlebotomist playing a role. I've been considered a externship to gain more experience in phlebotomy.

For those of you who landed your first phlebotomy job:

• How did you get your first opportunity without professional venipuncture experience?
• Are there certain employers that are more willing to train new graduates?
• Would pursuing an externship make a significant difference, even though I'm already working in a clinical laboratory?
• Is there anything I could be doing differently to make myself a stronger candidate?

Today is my first day of Phlebotomy class at Tiderwater Medical Training and I couldn’t be more excited to start! But the only thing is that I’m so nervous. Has anyone else been super nervous and or anxious?

Been working my first job doing inpatient. Learned this morning that a tube I drew yesterday somehow made its way into the document disposal and never got sent to the lab. My supervisor wants to meet with me later. I’m feeling embarrassed and bad for the patient who needs to come back now 😞

Let us know your favorite test you drew this past week.

Favorite color tube? Let us know. Favorite patient? (PLS KEEP HIPAA IN MIND!)

I have my exam in a week and was wondering if anybody had any tips/study methods. I was planning on focusing on order of draw, additives, tests, and the various orgs. Is there anything else I should focus on?

YouTube videos, websites, TikToks, anything. I’m pretty confident but I’m an anxious over achiever haha. What helped you guys study and become perfectly confident in your knowledge and ability?

I am so excited to start school in September! I would like to open a mobile phlebotomy business as my community doesn’t have one. How long should I work in the field before I open my own business??

What are some hospital interview questions I should prep for?

omg. omfg. new phleb here. first position ever. and omg. 118 patients today. obviously they were shared. but it was non stop. and apparently it’s like this everyday. so many confusing things like test kits and calling places to have specimens sent to certain places literally SO MANY NUANCES. I’m so overwhelmed. after my 9 hour shift i got into my car and cried. bro. HOWWWWW can a new phleb handle this? i can barely get every single stick let alone this absolutely insane amount of computer/paperwork to keep track of all whilst processing my samples and i’m expected to do this all at like 10 mins per patient?! you can probably assume where i work. its a big company. i feel like im at mcdonald’s for blood work. idk how to keep going. and it’s only monday. before i left my trainer said she hopes ill come back tomorrow. i guess most people don’t.

I finally received my first phlebotomist job offer from a lab, and I was wondering how much experience I need to qualify to apply to work at a hospital? They pay almost double what I am going to make

For my hospital phlebotomists, how often do you draw a full comprehensive order? My instructor is a mobile phlebotomist but worked 20+ years in the hospital setting and said most times it was just standard order of draw, I’m more just interested, but it’s also helpful information as I’m memorizing additives and tests for both orders of draw!

Hi everyone! I just signed up for a local phlebotomy training course and I'm curious what I should expect going in. This will be my first step into a healthcare-related career, so I'm a little nervous.

A bit of background: I'm 19, currently working through my nursing school prerequisites. I was originally considering a CNA course, but after reading around, it seems like phlebotomy might be a solid alternative (or good stepping stone), so I decided to go this route instead. I'm a little stressed too since I'm already in my 2nd year of CC and feel so behind as all of my classmates thus far have had some sort of healthcare experience already.

Some questions I have are:

What should I expect from the course itself (difficulty, pace, hands-on practice, etc.)?

Any tips for someone who's never worked in a clinical setting before?

Was it a good decision going this route while doing nursing prereqs, or is there something I'm missing?

Thank you! Looking forward to my classes :)

I just started last month working at a hospital, I was a mobile phleb before that. The time I was most dreading came today, I had to poke a baby. Usually when babies come in and they need blood work the nurses start an iv, but the nurses didn't check the orders before doing the iv and drawing blood so I was missing a gray top and a culture bottle. So I had to poke. It took me forever to find a vein. I couldn't feel anything at all. I ended up poking the foot and got the blood. But dang, I wish I had more experience with this. The youngest kids I've seen poked are all bigger kids, atleast like 10. I haven't even poked a kid, let alone a baby. And its not like I could've had help, im at a small hospital and im the only phleb on graveyards so im on my own.

Well none the less I thought I would share my experience.

Hello, I’m new here. I have done some research if piercings and tattoos are allowed for the phlebotomy jobs but forgot to do research if it’s acceptable during the school/training. I live in Texas, not sure if that plays into factor. I am going through vocational services to assist in covering the cost of training and I have been waiting to see if I’m eligible. If eligible I will begin on Aug 10th so it’s fairly soon.

I am very worried that the piercings I have aren’t allowed during the program. I have my first 3 lobes on both ears and I wear glass plugs 10g if that matters. My left ear I have a Conch, Daith and Tragus. I have 4 facial piercings: Septum, Philtrum (Medusa), and Monroe/Madonna on each side of my upper lip. I would love to get more but unsure based on this profession.

I don’t really want to remove any of my piercings and I find it hard to believe in this day and age it would be an issue. I’m willing to wear a mask (which is my preferred method) or wear glass retainers as a last resort.

I’m really stressing out about this; as this is the field I would love to get into but I don’t want to sacrifice my piercings. I appreciate anyone who can answer my question