Rude Phelbotomist
By webeishere
@webeishere (36313)
United States
November 6, 2007 10:08am CST
Okay I am thinking many don't know what a phelbotomist is. They are individuals that are trained in the use of medical needles. For drawing blood, giving shots, and injections for IVs etc. Well my wife went to our local climnic to have a blood sample drawn for typing to see if she is a match for a bone marrow for her brother. let's see, where to start, Okay My wife signed in no problem. I handed the woman the FedEx envelope with the shipping tube and paper work. Being very rude she says, "Geeze you could have picked a better time. I've got to read all this." Unreal. Could have said, "Please be patient this will take a few minutes." Then she litterally opened the box with the shipping tube for the tube of blood to be shipped shaking it making things fall hard onto the counter. Now as she read this she then handed me the shipping label and envelope stating, "You'll have to ship this as we don't use FedEx." HUH! They ship many many blood samples as I have seen this using a courrier service and the shipping for my wifes sample was to be billed to the Universitry of Michigan as the paper work she HAD to read so stated, "All shipping cocsts are to be billed to...." On to the actualy drawing of the sample now. My wife has small needles. First off the same phelbotomis said, "If you're going to be a donor you need to get bigger veins." Wait a second, why didn't this woman just get a SMALLER needle. very rude. Then the wife asked again about the shiopping and the woman then rudely stated, "We are doing you a favor." Un friggin real. Now there's more stress added to my life for that brief moment in time. This woman was way beyond out of line as far as a professional and as a representative of the clinic. We have used this clinic for many many years. My wife, myself, and my father have had blood drawn many times here as well. I have never ran across her and feel ythis woman needs to be reprimanded some way for her rudeness and especially for that rude comment about doing my wife a favor. My god she is hoping to save someones life. Unreal. I am calling and stopping by to talk to someone later. Thanks all. Another venting discussion from me.
HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~ (AGB)
9 people like this
16 responses
@Grandmaof2 (7579)
• Canada
7 Nov 07
Well you can call her a Phelbotomist if you wish to do so, but that's not my word for her. I'm glad to think you're going to look into this further. How rude. Get Smaller veins ??? Didn't know it was that eazy!!! Your wife is a better woman than I am, I'd have ended up telling that ***** if she was that unhappy at her job last I heard WalMart was hiring for a fraction of the wage she gets now. I would have also reminded her I was the one doing her a favor, because it's people like us that make it possible for her to have a job. You're right Unreal!!!
3 people like this
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
7 Nov 07
WalMart? HAHAHAHA! I can just picture here being the greeter,
"Hi. Welcome to WalMart. What the hell you doing here?
K-Mart is a mile away. You should go there to get better prices." HAHAHAHAHA!!!!
HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~
@Grandmaof2 (7579)
• Canada
8 Nov 07
I can tell you enjoyed my comments and you made me laugh too. It's all good. hahahah.
@suehan1 (4344)
• Australia
7 Nov 07
i am actually a phlebotomist and have performed many tests similar to what you have described.i agree you need to report this behaviour to the manager of the clinic or the lab manager to which she may work.there is definately no need to be so rude.she could have simply told you to take a seat while she worked out what she had to do.i know people are very anxious and you need to treat them with t.l.c.especially in your wifes circumstances.as far as using a larger needle,if you can it is definately better,especially when collecting larger amounts of blood.as clotting is a major issue and also the red cell can be affected as someone has allready mentioned.but if your veins are difficult you have no choice but to use a smaller size needle,it has nothing to do with being a donor.she obviously does not know her trade.i know that if i treated my patients like that or any of my team members,we would be out on our ears.i hope all is well with your wife and her brother
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
7 Nov 07
When I talked with management this morning she stated the woman should have used a smaller needle as it was just 6 cc's of blood being drawn. She is going to be reprimanded for her comments and rudeness as well.
HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~
@LittleMel (8742)
• Canada
7 Nov 07
the "bigger veins" thing is ridiculous. but anyway I'm glad you're going to tell someone about that. I came across a rude dentist assistant once, but the next time I was there she didn't work there anymore. If I saw her there again I would change dentist, I'm sure they won't refuse new patient.
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
7 Nov 07
It was wasn't it? My wife and I donated plasma for many years
and they used a smaller needle for her then. It's resolved now.
HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~
@blackbriar (9076)
• United States
7 Nov 07
As soon as she started with the rude remarks, you and your wife should of told her you wanted to speak to her boss. Demand to if you had to. I wouldn't of gone further with the blood draw until you had told her boss how rude she was being and had someone else draw the blood instead.
3 people like this
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
7 Nov 07
Oh no. I could not have done that as I would have gotten very vocal and not in a pleasant way. I would have gotten so irate that I would be embarrased to return after my actions. I know I would have gotten even nastier to her than she was to us. HAHAHA! So a phone complaint was in order actually. You don't know how I am in these situations. HAHAHA!
Self control won out and we are both ahppier that my smart thinking had prevailed.
HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~
1 person likes this
@misheleen73 (6037)
• United States
7 Nov 07
It is actually quite easy to become a Phlebotomist.. unfortunately seems as though you got one that 1) doesn't know what in the he** she is talking about and 2) woke up on the wrong side of the bed. I have had doctors, nurses, and even a pharmacy worker be rude. I always complain. Once I even complained to the person who had been rude (on a different day) she didn't even realize it was HER I was talking about. Sorry your wife (whom is an angel doing something like this for her brother) had to go through that. What a WITCH !!
3 people like this
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
7 Nov 07
Yeah I went to Nursing Scholl for becoming an LPN years ago and was classified as a Phelbotomist after 3 weeks training. HAHAHA! This woman was beyong rude. She was way out of line with a few comments made. She will be reprimanded as I have another discussion about the resolve and final results of this issue. Its called dealing with management/supervisors I believe. HAHAHA. Thanks also.
HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~
@mamasan34 (6518)
• United States
7 Nov 07
OMG, that is just awful. She doesn't know what is going on in your life and any other patients life. Her attitude could make or break someone's day or week for that matter. How rude and uncaring! I would definitely do something about that. There is no need for such behavior and such rude manners. If she is unhappy with her job, she needs to find another field of work, because working as a phlebotomist, requires taking time to read paperwork and taking time to be caring and not make mistakes. She doesn't seem to care about her job or the people who pay her salary....you and the many others that walk through that door!
3 people like this
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
7 Nov 07
Well after a day and a half I finally got through to management
and voiced my formal complaint. They are going to reprimand the
person with the nasty attutude yesterday morning.
HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~
2 people like this
@flowerchilde (12529)
• United States
6 Nov 07
I agree! This butt-otomist needs a boot in the bototomist! Or how about some pay loss for that day and any other rude day, as she surely wasn't doing a very good "job"!
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
7 Nov 07
Some heads are going to roll I hope.
HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~
1 person likes this
@sweetgirl_k1 (3972)
• United States
7 Nov 07
That was very rude. I would have said something not very nice to her while I was there. She should have never spoken to you and your wife like that. Your wife is just trying to help someone. I would definitely call or go up there and talk to someone about this lady. She does need to be reprimanded for her actions.
2 people like this
@babystar1 (4233)
• United States
6 Nov 07
Thats all you need is more stress. That woman had no right to treat your wife like that.I would of said to her if you dont like what you are doing, go and get someone that does.Than I would of said lady you are not doing my wife a favor, she is doing someone else a favor.This is when I would of got up and looked who ever was in charge and let that person no how your wife got treated.
This is very sad that there are people out there that are so rude. I think all they want is a pay check. good luck Grandpa Bob
3 people like this
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
6 Nov 07
Being as my wife was the first there and it was really early she
was the only phelbotomist on duty which is unfortunate. Thanks.
HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~
2 people like this
@Debs_place (10520)
• United States
6 Nov 07
You were treated rudely, as for using a smaller needle, I think I can answer that... they have to use a needle that is of a certain size or larger, if not it will destroy the red blood cells.
I know that this is no excuse for the behavior, it should have been explained to you why the comment was made or a certain sized needle was used..who knows.
2 people like this
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
7 Nov 07
Thanks. I did not know this about smaller needles etc.
1 person likes this
@callarse1 (4783)
• United States
7 Nov 07
Well it seems like that worker was a little rude, Grandpa Bob. Was this a place for people without insurance? If so, sometimes the workers get really stressed out because of the high demand. However, you are right to file a complaint. The worker was pretty rude.
Pablo
3 people like this
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
7 Nov 07
No this is just a regular Dr's clinic.
HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~
1 person likes this
@someonesmom (5761)
• Canada
6 Nov 07
Hi Grandpa Bob,
This was totally uncalled for. You'd think that they'd hire caring people for these types of positions, since so many patients are stressed out for one reason, or another. I'm glad to hear you're going to speak to someone about this, as they should really be reprimanded.
I had an extremely disinterested and unfriendly woman, one of the last times I had blood taken too. It only adds to the 'stress' of the whole situation, if one is at all nervous. I guess it's just a job to 'some' of them.
I'm glad that this part is 'over with' for your wife.
2 people like this
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
7 Nov 07
I am glad iot wasn't be getting the blood drawn.
I would have blown a gasket then and there. HAHAHAHA!!
HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~
1 person likes this
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
7 Nov 07
Dang. Meant to say "Glad it wasn't me....."
1 person likes this
@foxyfire33 (10005)
• United States
6 Nov 07
Unbelievable! Your wife should have been treated with even more respect and care than other patients because of what she is doing, in my opinion. That woman was so far out of line. I hope her supervisor or whatever comes down on her just as hard as possible.
And maybe I'm completely wrong here...but what does small veins have to do with donating marrow anyway? Isn't that where they take the marrow from her pelvic bone or something? It's not like the marrow gets sucked through a vein.
2 people like this
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
7 Nov 07
haven't had the opportunity to complain yet. Got voice mail and I am not leaving a message. I will be going there in person. Marrow is collected from the side and back and the arm viens make no difference.
HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~
1 person likes this
@foxyfire33 (10005)
• United States
7 Nov 07
LOL well I guess I was close enough! Wherever they take it out it doesn't have anything to do with arm veins so not only was that woman rude she also wasn't too bright. Good luck with your complaint!
2 people like this
@scarlet_woman (23463)
• United States
7 Nov 07
i hear you.we have some spectacularily rude ones here too.every time my mother's had blood drawn,she was always rewarded with a huge hematoma on top of their wonderful bedside manner.
i don't blame you for reporting them,i would too.that was plain rude.
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
7 Nov 07
This is very unprofessional & downright rude. People in these positions should have very good communication & relationship skills.
It was especially upsetting for your wife, knowing blood was being taken to help her very sick brother.
Definitely complain.
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
7 Nov 07
Rudeness from anyone whose job it is to work with and for the public is unacceptable in my opinion but with a phlebotomist it's even more so than, say, a convenience store or Walmart employee because she CHOSE her profession, went through training for it and wasn't just "stuck" taking any job that came along. I sure hope you get some satisfaction here, Grandpa Bob, because that's just awful for you wife to be treated like that by that bit*h! Having a "bad day" doesn't cut it; in my years as a letter carrier I had many a bad day and I often was given "extra" work to do but I never took it out on my customers because it was MY JOB to serve them.
Annie
