While waiting to enter the Medical Laboratory Technology program, I chose to earn a certificate in Phlebotomy at BCC. As I continue on to complete my MLT degree at BCC, I am working as a phlebotomist to help pay my school expenses.

I've been a phlebotomist for just over two years. Initially, I became a phlebotomist on a whim. My mother is a registered nurse (and a BCC graduate), and she told me of a phlebotomist job opening at her workplace. I was nervous about sticking someone with a needle, afraid that I might hurt a patient. My first attempts were awkward-- my mother volunteered to be my first "stick". I "stuck" with it, though, and after a few false starts, my technique improved. Now I work to minimize the discomfort my patients feel by concentrating on smooth motions and accuracy in hitting the mark the first time.

Although I may cause a patient a little discomfort, overall my job is to help someone who's hurting. I can take away some of the fear people feel about having blood collected because I know the right things to do to make it a "quick and less painful procedure". There is nothing better than hearing a patient say, "I didn't even feel you put the needle in." Phlebotomy is a great field to go into to help patients, plus the Lab-Man coat is cool, too. I am the Lab-Man!