I'm a phlebotomist 1 at a very busy and understaffed hospital in Chicago. I used to watch television shows like ER and wonder if patients were really like that. I'm here to tell you that yes, they are-in every way. I know that what I do makes most people pretty darn squeamish. I've done about 1,000 blood draws already, but however many more I might do I will never forget one man who was Hepatitis B positive. While I was putting on my gloves, he asked me to double bag them (put on two pairs) for my protection. I didn't oblige. I have to imagine that every one of my patients has AIDS or Hepatitis and follow precautions. While I was in the middle of drawing his blood he explained that he contracted the virus because back in his "younger days" he liked to do "dirty things in dirty places on women." TMI! I must have turned three shades of red!
So what do you doing for a living?
So what do you doing for a living?