Phlebotomy is one of those jobs that really lends itself to PRN work. PRN is Latin for pro re nata, which means “as needed.” Phlebotomists collect blood. They’re the health care workers who stick patients and draw the red nectar of life, label the blood-filled tubes and snap off the rubber tie that held the veins in place. To become a phlebotomist, you’ll have to take a state-approved training course, usually about 40 hours or so, and then pass a certification exam. In 2012, phlebotomists earned a median income of $14.29 an hour or $29,730 a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
In the Hospital
Many full-time phlebotomists in hospitals start out as PRN, filling in as needed when staff calls in sick or the facility has an unusually large patient load. Hospitals use PRN blood drawers for shift work, too, as many facilities draw blood regularly from patients in the very early morning hours. You also might find PRN work in the various labs throughout the hospital that take orders from physicians. An application through the hospital’s human resource department can get you on the list for a job.
Home Health Care
Careers in home health care often are PRN, especially for phlebotomists who aren’t needed on a daily basis. For example, disabled and immobilized patients might need a phlebotomist to come in weekly or just when new tests are ordered. As part of the intake process for a new home health care client, you might be asked to draw blood and other fluid samples such as urine or saliva from homebound patients. In most home health agencies, you aren’t penalized if you turn down jobs when you’re unavailable, although the more flexible you are, the more work you’ll receive.
Mobile Staffing Agency
Staffing agencies provide many medical professionals with a steady career. Much like home health agencies, you’ll usually visit people in their homes. A mobile staffing agency also might send you to a work site to draw blood for a blood drive. Mobile phlebotomy services contract with local doctor’s offices and laboratories to collect samples and then transport them to the appropriate designation. Nursing homes and assisted living facilities may use the mobile services when their regular staff is unavailable. Staffing companies might even send you out to a job site to draw blood from busy professionals.
For Insurance Agencies
Prior to granting life insurance policies, applicants often have to get a physical examination that includes blood tests. To make the process convenient for customers, the insurance companies send phlebotomists to the clients’ homes or places of business if they can find a private place to do the blood draws. While insurance companies often contract with local mobile staffing agencies, you could find PRN work directly with the insurance company. You’ll have specific guidelines to follow and be required to transport the fluids to a lab for processing.
References
Writer Bio
Linda Ray is an award-winning journalist with more than 20 years reporting experience. She's covered business for newspapers and magazines, including the "Greenville News," "Success Magazine" and "American City Business Journals." Ray holds a journalism degree and teaches writing, career development and an FDIC course called "Money Smart."