The American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania commemorates Phlebotomists Recognition Week by highlighting members of our blood collections team. These valuable employees carry out all aspects of the blood collection process while ensuring donors have a safe and welcoming experience.
Jasmine Glover
When Jasmine Glover’s mother beat cancer, it inspired her. “Seeing everything she had to go through made me want to be in that health care setting just to help people,” she said.
Jasmine trained as a medical assistant before working for the American Red Cross as a phlebotomist, where she takes donor health histories as part of her job.
“I do hear a lot of stories. Sometimes you will find that one donor you just connect with,” she said.
Jasmine loves the perks of the job like traveling to meet new people and comforting first time donors.“They’re always nervous when they come in.”
Jasmine described one donor who said he waited 30 years to give blood because he was “terrified.” She told him how she ended up working for the Red Cross.
“It eased his mind and he was like, ‘you know, I will come back. It’s not as bad as I thought it was.’ So I thought that was pretty cool.”
When people donate blood, they undergo a short physical exam.
Jasmine has heard donors talk about how the Red Cross saved their lives because those exams led them to their doctor where they discovered “they did have something going on.”
If you are interested in giving blood, Jasmine said it doesn’t take that long and you won’t be alone.
“We’re going to take care of them. We don’t really leave their side.”
Theresa Morgan
When Theresa Morgan began her phlebotomy training at the American Red Cross in May 2022, she couldn’t have predicted that blood transfusions would help save her life a few months later.
Unknown to her doctors, the abdominal pain Theresa was experiencing after a car accident turned out to be from a rapidly growing tumor on her kidneys. One day it ruptured, and her body went into sepsis. She received 8 units of blood.
Afterward, Theresa returned to work with a renewed focus.
“I love the fact that I can explain to the donors how their donations impact and help people in hospitals. I like sharing my story. I tell them how much I appreciate them coming out,” she said. “One of those people I stuck could have been the one to help me!”
A year ago, Theresa was promoted from donor collections assistant to collections specialist II or “charge,” which means she is responsible for all blood collection activities at assigned blood drives.
She’s driven to collect as much blood as possible, all while providing donors with a positive experience. Theresa is also focused on educating Black and African American donors about how their blood can help individuals living with sickle cell disease.
In the Southeastern Pennsylvania blood region, blood from donors who self-identify as Black is marked with a blue tag, designating it as a potential match for a sickle cell patient. For many people with sickle cell disease, closely-matched blood transfusions are lifesaving.
“I stress to my team, it’s so important to mark that blood with a blue tag,” she said. “I make sure we have blue tags at all of my drives.”
A natural caregiver, Theresa worked as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) for three years before coming to the Red Cross. She’s currently halfway through her studies at Montgomery County Community College on her way to becoming a registered nurse (RN).
Tennille Scheidt
Almost two years ago, Tennille Scheidt saw a job listing on Indeed for an American Red Cross phlebotomy position. She thought it would be a great opportunity for her daughter, who was working toward a career in health care.
When the training scheduled didn’t fit with what her daughter was looking for at the time, she encouraged Tennille to apply herself.
“She said, ‘Mom, you should do it! They train you. You can start a whole new career,’” Tennille recalls.
Tennille left her job as a dining supervisor at an assisted living facility and started her training as a Red Cross phlebotomist.
The Red Cross offers six weeks of paid, comprehensive training for phlebotomists at all levels, including those like Tennille who have no prior experience in the field.
Because of her supervisory experience, Tennille was hired as a collections specialist II, also called a “charge,” which means she is responsible for all blood collection activities at assigned blood drives.
She calls her new career a “happy accident.”
“It’s the best thing that ever happened,” she shared. “I love it!”
Tennille likes being in a new place every day and enjoys meeting different people from a variety of backgrounds and hearing their stories.
And if you’re thinking about donating blood for the first time, she has some advice.
“Everyone feels a little nervous. Just think about the people that benefit!” she said.
- Written by Jenny Farley and Alana Mauger
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