Having been a phlebotomist for over 20 yrs both in the hospital and in outpatient settings let me try to offer some advice. First off, do you have experience in the phlebotomy and clinical laboratory? If not, do not attempt this without at least 5 yrs. experience in the field. There is just too much variation in test requirements, patient types, laws, rules, and regulations, insurance and liability requirements, etc.... I would recommend getting a job with a hospital or outpatient lab co. or both at the same time like I did.
If you have a lot of experience, you should know most of this stuff already. If you really want to work on your own maybe you can consider affiliating with outpt labs, doctors offices, local clinics and such as an independent contractor doing their home draws or nursing homes and such. Health fairs and insurance companies regularly hire phlebs. on an irregular basis for health fairs, company physicals and more.
But probably the best opportunity is in drug testing. Get yourself certified for drug and alcohol specimen collection. All companies involved in interstate transportation have a regular drug testing policy for their employees. Trucking, your local transit, railroads, UPS, FedEx, etc. have regular testing for their employees. Pre-employment testing has grown by leaps and bounds. There is a lot of competition in this area, but there is still a lot of room for growth. There are lots of one man or very small group (under 10) operations, contracting with various companies for their drug and alcohol collection needs.
Don’t settle for just being a phlebotomist and drawing blood. Get certified in EKG and EEG as well. I knew a woman, she operated as an independent EEG (electroencephalogram) technician. She would travel to the various hospitals and clinics in town performing EEGs. She got paid from both the doctors and hospitals. Made a very good living for not a lot of work.
Anyway, these are just a few suggestions. Remember, advice is worth exactly what you pay for it. If you would like to talk more about this you know where to find me ... at “Free Republic” of course.
All I ask is that it doesn’t hurt.
Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn’t. It is 100% tied to the phlebotomist.