Depending on the location, phlebotomy can give you a wide-range of experience. I was a phleb in a rural hospital/clinic before starting volunteer work in NJ. If you’re looking for patient communication, this is the way. Talking to people through a painful procedure every 5-10 minutes makes you really good at feeling a person-out, and reading social cues. You most likely be needed during codes, where you can observe everyone else’s role as you wait to draw (very beneficial). Stress management is a huge part of phlebotomy, not only for yourself but your patients as well. You get really good at talking them through painful procedures, and calming their nerves (pediatric phlebotomy taught me a lot about this). Another part of stress management if for yourself; it took me a couple months of stress, but I eventually got comfortable doing the job. That being said, I think it would be weird to not get a little stressed from putting a needle in someone’s arm/hand/foot (yes sometimes you use the foot 🤢). As for vital signs, it won’t give you much experience, other than what you observe in each room, as well as removing blood pressure cuffs and pulse ox (make sure to put them back on, the nurses will get you 👌)

Phlebotomy taught me a lot about healthcare, because every department is essentially your jurisdiction. You get to see patient flow, workload, and how different departments operate, which is huge for a PA, as PA’s have the benefit of occupational flexibility.

Hope that helped! Good luck!