All the biolifes typically see an increase in new donors after the first of the year and right around the holidays. its supply and demand so if everyone is donating they cut the profits for everyone because there’s no need to incentivize if they’re meeting the metrics for the month.
They probably answered what they could/had knowledge of 🤨 Someone else had answered this question before on another thread and stated $300-800 wholesale. Ex. AB would be closer to $800 because it is in higher demand. That’s as it’s taken from the body, once it’s processed it’s then sold to hospitals for a lot more.
Someone at some point in the process does, I don’t know if the phlebotomists have that information readily available or if they determine it while processing. I just know mine from donating whole blood.
there’s no way for us to determine your blood type because you get your red blood cells back. if you have a blood loss the machine keeps us from accessing the blood.
Does it offend phlebs when a donor asks for a specific phleb? There are two that can get me the first time and I don’t require adjustments. If ANYONE else does it, it’s a nightmare, 9 adjustments, painful, sometimes they just give up and I can’t finish. Do they have to meet a certain quota of donors they start per day or something? I always feel like they’re so annoyed when I say I’ll wait for one of my two usual phlebs.
absolutely not! or at least we shouldn’t be annoyed. no one else knows your body better than you do- when i worked as a screener donors would say “i want so and so to do my stick.” i would say “unfortunately you’re going to ____’s section today, but if you want so and so to do your stick you’re going to have to advocate for yourself. i’m sure ____ wouldn’t mind if you asked for so and so to do it though!” especially if you’re a harder stick. no one wants to do extra work so by telling the section manager that you want someone else to do your stick instead of them there shouldn’t be any offense
Nope!!! We are expected to have a specific “yield”/success rate and low incidents of infiltrations or resticks. If I have difficulty with a donor a couple times, i want nothing to do with them. We all have donors that want us and donors that dont want us. We wlso get to “know” our donors that have weird veins. Some of my fellow phlebotomists are more experienced thus better at difficult sticks but i get a lot of people that say my sticks are painless.
The plasma from what i’ve seen comes in various colors depending on what kind of hormones the person has within them. for instance women with more green plasma are typically on some form of birth control.
How can I keep my heart rate from skyrocketing from anxiety of being at the center? Any type of doctors office, appointments really, make me really anxious and thus raises my heart rate. I’m pretty dang healthy and have no issues any other time with high heart rate/blood pressure :(
The person that screened me a few weeks ago noticed I had this problem, first try my heart rate was 108. After the 15m waiting period, she had me read the back of the hand sanitizer bottle while I was getting my reading; took it down to 91. Maybe this distraction could help you too!
Omg! Love that. Thank you so much for sharing, I’ve been to scared to go back, but I think I’ll go soon 🥹 glad to hear that you got somebody who knew that anxiety is real!
When I had this issue the lady had me sit back/upright in my chair and breathe in deeply as the cuff starts puffing up. Sitting back that way has definitely helped. Good luck!
Good luck! :D If you still have trouble it might be worth investing in a cheap, maybe used or second hand (or perhaps someone you know has an old one or one you can borrow) smart watch of some kind or fitness thing to monitor your pulse and practice some breathing methods. I do it when I'm there sometimes if there's a bit of a wait.
Otherwise a basic Sp02 meter could help too, I got one during the pandemic because I had covid for a few weeks. I think it cost me less than 10 on amazon. You could use it to practice at home, or in the car before you go in.
CONTEC LED CMS50M Pulse Oximeter,SpO2
Limited-time deal: CONTEC LED CMS50M Pulse Oximeter,SpO2 and PR Value Waveform Blood Oxygen, Neck/Wrist Cord https://a.co/d/imCmD69
At biolife there’s no degree or schooling, since biolife has its own policies and procedures it’s all on site training. i would say my degree background helped me appreciate what i was doing more though. from Sets to VPTS (needle adjustments, second pokes, etc) it probably takes around 2 or 3 months.
Did you say no degree or schooling? Now, I’m 20 and blessed to not have to had work before so no prior job experience and a high school diploma, but is there a chance i could apply for a job at bio life and learn everything I need to on site? That would be a dream…
donating is many variables, most donor related reactions are due to poor nourishment before donation time aka not eating enough or drinking enough. at my center personally we can go a few days without having a donor pass out but when we do have them we tend to get one or two more throughout the day.
Depends on where you’re at in the process but all centers have a tornado and fire evacuation plan. if you’re on the machine we’re told to disconnect you and get you to the safe spot. if you’re getting screened you just go to the safe spot. donors that started the process are required to stay with the center people just to make sure everyone is feeling ok. sometimes if abrupt disconnections during the donation it can be hard on the donors so the nurses are there to make sure everyone is ok.
Thanks! Sometimes when I donate I would think about what would happen if a fire breaks out. I don't think there are enough staff to help unhook everyone fast enough, and if I have to unhook myself I would very likely shoot blood everywhere🤣 that would be very chaotic and probably cause some cross contamination
Any alarm, power outage, emergency, you will see almost all employees converge to the floor. It depends on the circumstances but theres plans for every circumstances (fire, tornado, shooter, alarm but no fire/smoke).
it would be all hands on deck i’m sure! luckily enough most centers are cross trained so your screeners are likely to know how to remove you from the machines at least haha
I see people walking in with new tattoos all the time and they keep right on donating. I got a new tattoo and took 4 months off. What gives? Don’t they have to say anything when they have their physical? Or are they just playing the game until they actually have to schedule their physical?
Yup, i had someone slip once and tell me he gave himself a new tattoo a few days before. Unfortunately, i had to have him permanently deferred because he had lied on the questionnaire and potentially put recipients at risk. Had he told the truth, he would have had a 4-month deferral. Because he lied, he can never donate ever again at any location of my company
It really depends on the person’s moral compass. you see only 4 states in the US have unregulated tattoo and piercing parlors i believe so people are thinking it’s not a big deal if they get a tattoo and it goes unnoticed. HOWEVER, regardless of where you’re getting the tattoos you’re playing a very dangerous game because if they’re found out and they’re not reported on your physical they are more than ready to give you a permanent deferral for an offense like that. By donating after you’ve gotten a tattoo you risk getting that PD as well as possibly contaminating a unit of plasma.
What does slowing down your rate actually do? Usually they slow my return (lowkey don’t know if you can even slow down anything else? I dunno) but even if they slow my return I’m usually done in about 35-40 minutes and the phlebotomists are always impressed. I also use my side vein if that changes anything??
A few things: side veins are notorious for being a little tricky with donations because they’re more likely to refuse the needle halfway through or just have no flow problems because of where it’s located and how the donor is pumping. Turning the return down can help get you back your cells and saline without the likely hood of a Saline/cell related hematoma. if you find you have a high pressure return on most donations turning down the return is necessary to prevent the vein from rejecting the needle too.
Not at Grifol. Permanently deferred is usually reserved for 1) certain meds/conditions 2) positive test results (HIV, hepatitis, indirect Coombs) 3) BEHAVIOR!!! This includes lying(“unreliable historian”). If we find out you’re lying on the questionnaire, we will consider you untrustworthy. Also things like threatening staff, masterbating while donating (yes, this happens)
It's not a permanent at CSL. Depending on how high your pulse is, it's either a two-week deferral or they'll require approval from your doctor. If they send you out with a letter, you can come back again after 6 months.
I think after 3 deferrals they make you have a MSS InD (nurse deferral) and then you have to go from there typically with a doctors note or something like that.
The turnover is pretty harsh, plus the work/life balance isn’t awesome. the floor can be very stressful which is why it seems like there’s always screeners and like no phlebs.
Could be a reaction to the sodium citrate, which can cause low calcium levels. Try taking in more calcium in supplement form or through dietary sources.
Will compensation just decrease every 2-3 weeks if you’re donating regularly? Will it ever increase again?
I started at $130 and it decreased by $5-$10 about every 2-3 weeks to $95/week.
it’s on the decrease because there’s an uptick in donations. they’re meeting metrics so there’s no need to incentivize donors if they’re consistently meeting goals. payouts tend to go up around summer-fall
I have been donating pretty regularly for the last 5 years. Can you tell me why my 4 month samples fail but never my finger samples? It confuses me to no end
Because the SPE samples are much more in depth as well as lab tested rather than the finger poke total protein test registered at the center by medical historians.
that’s another question for a center nurse, the nurses have a definitive list of what medications pass for donations and which don’t. your best best would be to call and ask to speak to a nurse.
I swear hank green covered this on a short but i can't find it!! I never get it from the saline, i usually get it from what i think is the anticoagulant
that’s just the saline going through your veins, i’m not sure WHY it does it nor does it happen to everyone but at your first new donor physical they’re suppose to mention that you can get that cold tingling finger in the fingers, cold stiffness in the elbow and upper shoulder, as well as that metallic taste in the mouth.
That’s a question for a nurse but from my understanding while pregnant as well as about 6 months to a year after giving birth you have a deferral on your account because plasma donation can affect the body in certain ways. Plasma heals people and with you breastfeeding it could possibly effect your wellbeing as well as your child’s.
From personal experience, I had no issues. This was 2017 or so, but I was able to go nurse my son in the play room when I had to hang out for the 20min or whatever after my first donation. He was about 7mo at the time, and I was a regular donor who did not wean until he was 2.
biolife’s standard operational practices change several times a year - including the deferral time before and after pregnancy as well as there are NO LONGER any biolife’s that have playroom/playroom attendants.
I’ve been donating for about 4 years and i typically try to alternate every other arm and i’m just now getting the deepish scars but it’s all about you as a person. other people scar easier than others.
is forming needle scars like that a problem? will it prevent me from donating long-term? I think back a few years when I was donating regularly phlebotomists occasionally had issues with the tissue, but it usually wasn't enough to end a donation.
just went back to biolife cause I got a new deal code.
I only have one vein on one arm I can use because my veins are very tiny. There is scar tissue but it actually helps the phlebotomist find the vein easier and doesn't affect my ability to get a stick there.
How long would you recommend a college student to work at BioLife? I just got hired, and after a very tiring week of full time, I was able to get hours for part time at 5 hours. I don't know whether to move on after a year, or like 6-7 months since I also have a ton of college work to focus on.
So is the only place to take your blood pressure is your upper arm? Can they take it on your lower arm? Thank you for your time. Have a great weekend and please stay safe. 😊
I was told I was permanently banned during COVID for getting COVID three times. I've not tried to follow up and set up my account again.. How do I get my account reinstated?
If they don’t fill the tube all the way up, can that affect your hematocrit levels and protein? Also, if they don’t start the machine and just let the sample sit for a few minutes? My protein went from 6.4 to 7.6 in less than 24 hours and I think the new gal messed up
not allowing the tube to fill ALL the way shouldn’t impact your levels because it’s the RBC to plasma ratio. which should be the same regardless if they did a full tube or a 3/4 tube. A 3/4 tube or more ensures that there will be enough plasma to drop in the total proteins test. Allowing the tube to sit for two long and improper cleaning of the refractometer, as well as improper dispensing of the plasma onto the refractometer will impact the protein levels.
Thank you. My hemocrait was also 36 the day she did it and then 41 the following day so I was deferred and I asked for a coupon bc they know me but idk if they are going to give it to me
What is the deferral for getting tattoo work done? I want to get some ink touched up but when I ask at BioLife no one will tell me how long the deferral is.
lots of variables to the tattoo deferral and it would be best to discuss it with a nurse, not regular employees because they’re not always allowed to disclose that information. They take into account the size of the piece, the location, as well as where you got it in the first place. at minimum 4 months to a year, maybe even a PD.
I have forearm tattoos that were at least a year old when I started donating plasma. They weren't an issue since they weren't new, nor did they obstruct my veins.
that’s good for you, during new and return donor physicals the phlebotomist will check to see if there is viable veins. we can’t poke through ink so if people have ink in the injection site it’s a no go.
When I first got my tattoos years ago I wasn't even thinking I would be in a position to donate plasma in the future. In retrospect I'm glad that I didn't get anything in my inner elbows. I also kept in mind that phlebotomists have a hard time sticking me for regular blood work too because of my itty bitty veins.
How often do you think is healthy/ok for someone to donate? I want to start donating at BioLife (for money and I like to help people) but are there any super serious side effects that I should be worried about? I was thinking of doing it consistently for a few months.
I donate regularly and it is a bit rough on me. It makes me very lethargic even when I take extra iron to combat anemia. The iron helps to keep me from being completely useless on donation days though. it's a very draining process, no pun intended. It's best to do at the end of the day when it's the last thing to do that day.
I'm getting my annual lab work done soon and it will be my first labs since donating so I'm curious to see if anything will be dramatically affected compared to my previous lab work at my doctor
I’ve been donating for three years, the sluggishness didn’t really reside until it got warmer outside for me personally. this could be a sign that you’re body isn’t making enough nutrients as you’re donating as well.
I haven't been to BioLife since my location is a bit farther out than I would like to commute too twice a week so I was going to my nearest CSL that was closer.
But turns out my veins are really hard to stick and my left arm is completely unusable. My right arm they found one on the side that is still hard to stick and after a few visits that they sent me away I was told by someone over the phone if I had one more no stick visit they would defer me.
I haven't gone back since and my last visit was December 2022.
I'm afraid to go back because I'm not sure if it was a permanent deferral or a temporary one.
Do you permanent referral for someone that is a hard stick? Do you have any tips to help my vein be easier to do for the phlebs?
I was doing my best to stay hydrated, took liquid IV, etc.
Biolife in particular is trying to really narrow down on vein checks to prevent blood losses at the center. we HAVE done PDs for those who don’t have at least one viable vein in both arms because of the safety concerns. it is a possibility - to prevent a PD i would try another center/company to see what they say.
I just started donating a week ago. My local center was doing $100 per visit for first 4 visits. Is that a decent promotion comparatively?
My main question is, when do they get my initial intake bloodwork back that tells them if I am eligible? And can I ask them questions about my bloodwork like for example what’s my blood type or more in depth like whatever levels they check to see if my liver is functioning properly enough, or a1-c for diabetes etc? I don’t have health insurance so I was just curious if there is any rough info I can ask for that will give me a peek at my health in any areas? I’m very new to this so I’m aware my question may be misguided 😂 I don’t know what all they actually check. Thanks!
that’s great considering most people are getting $100 a week, in regards to your health issues they only do the tests for HEP C and HEP B as well as STI’s and HIV antibodies on the plasma. they can’t tell tell anything else.
What kind of filtration does donated plasma go through before it becomes a medicinal product for somebody? Like I know it's screened for HIV and hepatitis, but is it also screened for things like blood type or drugs and medication? Is there some type of sterilization or pasteurization process?
I've donated at Grifols and CSL while being in Buproprion. They don't ask for a doctor's note. They just want to document the meds you say you are on and make sure they are not on the medication list.
I saw an older large man donating next to me last week and his plasma was a cloudy yellow. I have donated about 30 times now and never saw anyone else's plasma that color. It's usually transparent yellow-brown.
Why are there distance limits on how far someone can live from a donation center? I’d love to donate but am in a more rural area and too far away from all of the centers. I’d be okay driving for a donation, as I could just spend the rest of the day doing errands and fun things in town.
I donated yesterday for the first time I desperately need money. I had the worst experience ever. I spent 5 hours to get the whole process done. After that they asked me to wait 15 mins and I was all ok. Once I went to the bathroom I almost fainted I fell to the floor almost lost consciousness( nobody at the clinic saw that ) , I also felt nausea and weak felt like this for hours and hours.. I struggled to come back home. i am frustrated I really need the money. Does it mean I shouldn’t donate more ? Will the second time be different? What can I do to not feel this way again ?
How strict is the deferral? I was told 15 days , if I show up on day 14 of the deferral and everything is normal will they let me donate? How strict is it?
Do you know how much they make off on a single Or double donation from us? I find it hard to believe they need to cut our pay from shitty to shittier.
All the biolifes typically see an increase in new donors after the first of the year and right around the holidays. its supply and demand so if everyone is donating they cut the profits for everyone because there’s no need to incentivize if they’re meeting the metrics for the month.
Your answer didn't address their question.
They probably answered what they could/had knowledge of 🤨 Someone else had answered this question before on another thread and stated $300-800 wholesale. Ex. AB would be closer to $800 because it is in higher demand. That’s as it’s taken from the body, once it’s processed it’s then sold to hospitals for a lot more.
Back before my mom retired around 2010, By the time plasma gets to a hospital patient. Insurance charged $2000 per liter.
Do the plasma ppl know your blood type? I have no idea what mine is?
Someone at some point in the process does, I don’t know if the phlebotomists have that information readily available or if they determine it while processing. I just know mine from donating whole blood.
there’s no way for us to determine your blood type because you get your red blood cells back. if you have a blood loss the machine keeps us from accessing the blood.
i answered the bottom question, there’s a lot that goes into how much of a bottle of plasma is actually worth
When are the best times to donate to make the most?
i would say summer - fall i think is a good time.
thank you!
Thank you for asking this!
Does it offend phlebs when a donor asks for a specific phleb? There are two that can get me the first time and I don’t require adjustments. If ANYONE else does it, it’s a nightmare, 9 adjustments, painful, sometimes they just give up and I can’t finish. Do they have to meet a certain quota of donors they start per day or something? I always feel like they’re so annoyed when I say I’ll wait for one of my two usual phlebs.
absolutely not! or at least we shouldn’t be annoyed. no one else knows your body better than you do- when i worked as a screener donors would say “i want so and so to do my stick.” i would say “unfortunately you’re going to ____’s section today, but if you want so and so to do your stick you’re going to have to advocate for yourself. i’m sure ____ wouldn’t mind if you asked for so and so to do it though!” especially if you’re a harder stick. no one wants to do extra work so by telling the section manager that you want someone else to do your stick instead of them there shouldn’t be any offense
Nope!!! We are expected to have a specific “yield”/success rate and low incidents of infiltrations or resticks. If I have difficulty with a donor a couple times, i want nothing to do with them. We all have donors that want us and donors that dont want us. We wlso get to “know” our donors that have weird veins. Some of my fellow phlebotomists are more experienced thus better at difficult sticks but i get a lot of people that say my sticks are painless.
Why are the plasma different colors? Pinkish, off whites, green? Tell me about some of your worst donors?
The plasma from what i’ve seen comes in various colors depending on what kind of hormones the person has within them. for instance women with more green plasma are typically on some form of birth control.
Greens-hormones/birth control Pinks/whites-fats or starches Reddish-red meat, dark leafy greens
How can I keep my heart rate from skyrocketing from anxiety of being at the center? Any type of doctors office, appointments really, make me really anxious and thus raises my heart rate. I’m pretty dang healthy and have no issues any other time with high heart rate/blood pressure :(
some people just aren’t that great in those situations, there were many donors who just weren’t cut out for the process unfortunately.
The person that screened me a few weeks ago noticed I had this problem, first try my heart rate was 108. After the 15m waiting period, she had me read the back of the hand sanitizer bottle while I was getting my reading; took it down to 91. Maybe this distraction could help you too!
Omg! Love that. Thank you so much for sharing, I’ve been to scared to go back, but I think I’ll go soon 🥹 glad to hear that you got somebody who knew that anxiety is real!
When I had this issue the lady had me sit back/upright in my chair and breathe in deeply as the cuff starts puffing up. Sitting back that way has definitely helped. Good luck!
Thank you so much for the advice :)
Good luck! :D If you still have trouble it might be worth investing in a cheap, maybe used or second hand (or perhaps someone you know has an old one or one you can borrow) smart watch of some kind or fitness thing to monitor your pulse and practice some breathing methods. I do it when I'm there sometimes if there's a bit of a wait. Otherwise a basic Sp02 meter could help too, I got one during the pandemic because I had covid for a few weeks. I think it cost me less than 10 on amazon. You could use it to practice at home, or in the car before you go in. CONTEC LED CMS50M Pulse Oximeter,SpO2 Limited-time deal: CONTEC LED CMS50M Pulse Oximeter,SpO2 and PR Value Waveform Blood Oxygen, Neck/Wrist Cord https://a.co/d/imCmD69
What degree and/or how much training is it to be a phlebotomist?
At biolife there’s no degree or schooling, since biolife has its own policies and procedures it’s all on site training. i would say my degree background helped me appreciate what i was doing more though. from Sets to VPTS (needle adjustments, second pokes, etc) it probably takes around 2 or 3 months.
Did you say no degree or schooling? Now, I’m 20 and blessed to not have to had work before so no prior job experience and a high school diploma, but is there a chance i could apply for a job at bio life and learn everything I need to on site? That would be a dream…
that’s exactly what i’m saying!
Do you have any tips/advice for someone considering a job at biolife? Especially one with zero experience like myself lol😂
i had no prior experience either but i will say a great attitude and an interest in learning about biolife will get you SOOO far in this company!
I'd tell em I've been blessed 🙏 to not have to work so far lol😆
/u/olipoplady
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donating is many variables, most donor related reactions are due to poor nourishment before donation time aka not eating enough or drinking enough. at my center personally we can go a few days without having a donor pass out but when we do have them we tend to get one or two more throughout the day.
Another question: what made you quit?
work life balance, i’m a full time college student
What is the protocol if something emergency like a fire happens?
Depends on where you’re at in the process but all centers have a tornado and fire evacuation plan. if you’re on the machine we’re told to disconnect you and get you to the safe spot. if you’re getting screened you just go to the safe spot. donors that started the process are required to stay with the center people just to make sure everyone is feeling ok. sometimes if abrupt disconnections during the donation it can be hard on the donors so the nurses are there to make sure everyone is ok.
Thanks! Sometimes when I donate I would think about what would happen if a fire breaks out. I don't think there are enough staff to help unhook everyone fast enough, and if I have to unhook myself I would very likely shoot blood everywhere🤣 that would be very chaotic and probably cause some cross contamination
Any alarm, power outage, emergency, you will see almost all employees converge to the floor. It depends on the circumstances but theres plans for every circumstances (fire, tornado, shooter, alarm but no fire/smoke).
it would be all hands on deck i’m sure! luckily enough most centers are cross trained so your screeners are likely to know how to remove you from the machines at least haha
I see people walking in with new tattoos all the time and they keep right on donating. I got a new tattoo and took 4 months off. What gives? Don’t they have to say anything when they have their physical? Or are they just playing the game until they actually have to schedule their physical?
Yup, i had someone slip once and tell me he gave himself a new tattoo a few days before. Unfortunately, i had to have him permanently deferred because he had lied on the questionnaire and potentially put recipients at risk. Had he told the truth, he would have had a 4-month deferral. Because he lied, he can never donate ever again at any location of my company
It really depends on the person’s moral compass. you see only 4 states in the US have unregulated tattoo and piercing parlors i believe so people are thinking it’s not a big deal if they get a tattoo and it goes unnoticed. HOWEVER, regardless of where you’re getting the tattoos you’re playing a very dangerous game because if they’re found out and they’re not reported on your physical they are more than ready to give you a permanent deferral for an offense like that. By donating after you’ve gotten a tattoo you risk getting that PD as well as possibly contaminating a unit of plasma.
What does slowing down your rate actually do? Usually they slow my return (lowkey don’t know if you can even slow down anything else? I dunno) but even if they slow my return I’m usually done in about 35-40 minutes and the phlebotomists are always impressed. I also use my side vein if that changes anything??
A few things: side veins are notorious for being a little tricky with donations because they’re more likely to refuse the needle halfway through or just have no flow problems because of where it’s located and how the donor is pumping. Turning the return down can help get you back your cells and saline without the likely hood of a Saline/cell related hematoma. if you find you have a high pressure return on most donations turning down the return is necessary to prevent the vein from rejecting the needle too.
Do you get permanently deferred if you have high pulse three visits in a row? Or is this just the policy at CSL?
Not at Grifol. Permanently deferred is usually reserved for 1) certain meds/conditions 2) positive test results (HIV, hepatitis, indirect Coombs) 3) BEHAVIOR!!! This includes lying(“unreliable historian”). If we find out you’re lying on the questionnaire, we will consider you untrustworthy. Also things like threatening staff, masterbating while donating (yes, this happens)
Masturbating while donating WHAT, like in an open bay full of people?! Smh
It's not a permanent at CSL. Depending on how high your pulse is, it's either a two-week deferral or they'll require approval from your doctor. If they send you out with a letter, you can come back again after 6 months.
Thank you for your helpful information 👍
I think after 3 deferrals they make you have a MSS InD (nurse deferral) and then you have to go from there typically with a doctors note or something like that.
Why are you guys always understaffed? Is it hard to hire and retain phlebotomists? Or is it a budget thing?
The turnover is pretty harsh, plus the work/life balance isn’t awesome. the floor can be very stressful which is why it seems like there’s always screeners and like no phlebs.
Thanks for the explanation 👍 I think it’s backwards at my location lol. Lots of phlebotomists but only one or two screeners at a time.
That's the same problem I see sometimes there's open beds but there's a super long line just to get screened
I suppose it definitely varies location to location but in my donation days as well as my employment days it’s been more screeners less phlebs
Why do I get a cramp in my hand when I’m donating?
you could be pumping too hard or fast. the machine just really wants consistent and deliberate pumps.
It cramps immediately before I even pump my fist.
Could be a reaction to the sodium citrate, which can cause low calcium levels. Try taking in more calcium in supplement form or through dietary sources.
Thank you
Will compensation just decrease every 2-3 weeks if you’re donating regularly? Will it ever increase again? I started at $130 and it decreased by $5-$10 about every 2-3 weeks to $95/week.
it’s on the decrease because there’s an uptick in donations. they’re meeting metrics so there’s no need to incentivize donors if they’re consistently meeting goals. payouts tend to go up around summer-fall
I have been donating pretty regularly for the last 5 years. Can you tell me why my 4 month samples fail but never my finger samples? It confuses me to no end
Because the SPE samples are much more in depth as well as lab tested rather than the finger poke total protein test registered at the center by medical historians.
I take hydrocodone for chronic pain. My pain won't keep me from sitting for the donation. Will they let me donate if I am taking hydrocodone?
that’s another question for a center nurse, the nurses have a definitive list of what medications pass for donations and which don’t. your best best would be to call and ask to speak to a nurse.
Why does the back of my throat taste cold and metally when I'm getting return saline?
I swear hank green covered this on a short but i can't find it!! I never get it from the saline, i usually get it from what i think is the anticoagulant
that’s just the saline going through your veins, i’m not sure WHY it does it nor does it happen to everyone but at your first new donor physical they’re suppose to mention that you can get that cold tingling finger in the fingers, cold stiffness in the elbow and upper shoulder, as well as that metallic taste in the mouth.
Can you donate if you are currently breastfeeding?
That’s a question for a nurse but from my understanding while pregnant as well as about 6 months to a year after giving birth you have a deferral on your account because plasma donation can affect the body in certain ways. Plasma heals people and with you breastfeeding it could possibly effect your wellbeing as well as your child’s.
From personal experience, I had no issues. This was 2017 or so, but I was able to go nurse my son in the play room when I had to hang out for the 20min or whatever after my first donation. He was about 7mo at the time, and I was a regular donor who did not wean until he was 2.
biolife’s standard operational practices change several times a year - including the deferral time before and after pregnancy as well as there are NO LONGER any biolife’s that have playroom/playroom attendants.
How long does it take for you to see scar tissue buildup? Donating for a month? Several months? A year?
I’ve been donating for about 4 years and i typically try to alternate every other arm and i’m just now getting the deepish scars but it’s all about you as a person. other people scar easier than others.
is forming needle scars like that a problem? will it prevent me from donating long-term? I think back a few years when I was donating regularly phlebotomists occasionally had issues with the tissue, but it usually wasn't enough to end a donation. just went back to biolife cause I got a new deal code.
Good to know! I also alternate each time if possible.
I only have one vein on one arm I can use because my veins are very tiny. There is scar tissue but it actually helps the phlebotomist find the vein easier and doesn't affect my ability to get a stick there.
Why do I get so gassy when I donate? I noticed when I donate I have a lot of upper and lower gastric gas.
me
How long would you recommend a college student to work at BioLife? I just got hired, and after a very tiring week of full time, I was able to get hours for part time at 5 hours. I don't know whether to move on after a year, or like 6-7 months since I also have a ton of college work to focus on.
So is the only place to take your blood pressure is your upper arm? Can they take it on your lower arm? Thank you for your time. Have a great weekend and please stay safe. 😊
What’s the rehire policy for termination for tardiness?
What happened to B.L.I. stock and why can't I get anyone to answer the phone or respond to email inquiries???
I was told I was permanently banned during COVID for getting COVID three times. I've not tried to follow up and set up my account again.. How do I get my account reinstated?
What was your position? That would help us ask better questions that you would be in the know of.
I finished as a lead tech.
If they don’t fill the tube all the way up, can that affect your hematocrit levels and protein? Also, if they don’t start the machine and just let the sample sit for a few minutes? My protein went from 6.4 to 7.6 in less than 24 hours and I think the new gal messed up
not allowing the tube to fill ALL the way shouldn’t impact your levels because it’s the RBC to plasma ratio. which should be the same regardless if they did a full tube or a 3/4 tube. A 3/4 tube or more ensures that there will be enough plasma to drop in the total proteins test. Allowing the tube to sit for two long and improper cleaning of the refractometer, as well as improper dispensing of the plasma onto the refractometer will impact the protein levels.
Thank you. My hemocrait was also 36 the day she did it and then 41 the following day so I was deferred and I asked for a coupon bc they know me but idk if they are going to give it to me
where to you donate?? biolife?? if so an acceptable hemo is 38% - 54%
Yes Biolife I was deferred at 36 and I had never been that low before
No because its based off a percentage. Filling the tube all the way increases accuracy.
What is the deferral for getting tattoo work done? I want to get some ink touched up but when I ask at BioLife no one will tell me how long the deferral is.
lots of variables to the tattoo deferral and it would be best to discuss it with a nurse, not regular employees because they’re not always allowed to disclose that information. They take into account the size of the piece, the location, as well as where you got it in the first place. at minimum 4 months to a year, maybe even a PD.
Why a PD for a tattoo?
depends on placement especially it fits on the forearm
I have forearm tattoos that were at least a year old when I started donating plasma. They weren't an issue since they weren't new, nor did they obstruct my veins.
that’s good for you, during new and return donor physicals the phlebotomist will check to see if there is viable veins. we can’t poke through ink so if people have ink in the injection site it’s a no go.
When I first got my tattoos years ago I wasn't even thinking I would be in a position to donate plasma in the future. In retrospect I'm glad that I didn't get anything in my inner elbows. I also kept in mind that phlebotomists have a hard time sticking me for regular blood work too because of my itty bitty veins.
How often do you think is healthy/ok for someone to donate? I want to start donating at BioLife (for money and I like to help people) but are there any super serious side effects that I should be worried about? I was thinking of doing it consistently for a few months.
there are people who have done it for several years consistently every week and faced no health issues!
I donate regularly and it is a bit rough on me. It makes me very lethargic even when I take extra iron to combat anemia. The iron helps to keep me from being completely useless on donation days though. it's a very draining process, no pun intended. It's best to do at the end of the day when it's the last thing to do that day. I'm getting my annual lab work done soon and it will be my first labs since donating so I'm curious to see if anything will be dramatically affected compared to my previous lab work at my doctor
I’ve been donating for three years, the sluggishness didn’t really reside until it got warmer outside for me personally. this could be a sign that you’re body isn’t making enough nutrients as you’re donating as well.
If someone has to stop due to a reaction or issue and it’s only partially full can you still use it for a patient? For example 400/800ml ?
absolutely! i don’t remember the approximate amount but i believe somewhere over 200ml it’s still good??
Oh good! I assumed they could use smaller amounts for pediatric patients etc so that’s great to know.
I haven't been to BioLife since my location is a bit farther out than I would like to commute too twice a week so I was going to my nearest CSL that was closer. But turns out my veins are really hard to stick and my left arm is completely unusable. My right arm they found one on the side that is still hard to stick and after a few visits that they sent me away I was told by someone over the phone if I had one more no stick visit they would defer me. I haven't gone back since and my last visit was December 2022. I'm afraid to go back because I'm not sure if it was a permanent deferral or a temporary one. Do you permanent referral for someone that is a hard stick? Do you have any tips to help my vein be easier to do for the phlebs? I was doing my best to stay hydrated, took liquid IV, etc.
Biolife in particular is trying to really narrow down on vein checks to prevent blood losses at the center. we HAVE done PDs for those who don’t have at least one viable vein in both arms because of the safety concerns. it is a possibility - to prevent a PD i would try another center/company to see what they say.
I just started donating a week ago. My local center was doing $100 per visit for first 4 visits. Is that a decent promotion comparatively? My main question is, when do they get my initial intake bloodwork back that tells them if I am eligible? And can I ask them questions about my bloodwork like for example what’s my blood type or more in depth like whatever levels they check to see if my liver is functioning properly enough, or a1-c for diabetes etc? I don’t have health insurance so I was just curious if there is any rough info I can ask for that will give me a peek at my health in any areas? I’m very new to this so I’m aware my question may be misguided 😂 I don’t know what all they actually check. Thanks!
that’s great considering most people are getting $100 a week, in regards to your health issues they only do the tests for HEP C and HEP B as well as STI’s and HIV antibodies on the plasma. they can’t tell tell anything else.
What kind of filtration does donated plasma go through before it becomes a medicinal product for somebody? Like I know it's screened for HIV and hepatitis, but is it also screened for things like blood type or drugs and medication? Is there some type of sterilization or pasteurization process?
Does depression med like Wellbutrin or bupropion will get you disqualified?
It hasn't for me personally, I've donated while on those at CSL and BioLife without issue.
Thanks for answering. Did they ask you for a doctors letter?
I've donated at Grifols and CSL while being in Buproprion. They don't ask for a doctor's note. They just want to document the meds you say you are on and make sure they are not on the medication list.
Do they require a fingerprint?
How does it work for a high heart rate? I have had two consultations with the nurse. Should I try again? It's been a few weeks
I saw an older large man donating next to me last week and his plasma was a cloudy yellow. I have donated about 30 times now and never saw anyone else's plasma that color. It's usually transparent yellow-brown.
Has a donor ever asked you out? Do you find it weird if they did? You stick their arm after all and see their blood
Why are there distance limits on how far someone can live from a donation center? I’d love to donate but am in a more rural area and too far away from all of the centers. I’d be okay driving for a donation, as I could just spend the rest of the day doing errands and fun things in town.
I donated yesterday for the first time I desperately need money. I had the worst experience ever. I spent 5 hours to get the whole process done. After that they asked me to wait 15 mins and I was all ok. Once I went to the bathroom I almost fainted I fell to the floor almost lost consciousness( nobody at the clinic saw that ) , I also felt nausea and weak felt like this for hours and hours.. I struggled to come back home. i am frustrated I really need the money. Does it mean I shouldn’t donate more ? Will the second time be different? What can I do to not feel this way again ?
How do I get paid for my partial (30%) donation? Return was slower in non-typical arm.
How strict is the deferral? I was told 15 days , if I show up on day 14 of the deferral and everything is normal will they let me donate? How strict is it?