4 answers
Alexa
Student
Conyers, Georgia
1
Question
Updated
191 views
How am I supposed to get a job in healthcare with no experience if all the jobs out there say "must have experience"?
I’m a second-year biochemistry student on the pre-med track, and I’m trying to build strong clinical experience. I recently got my phlebotomy certification, but I’m having trouble finding positions without prior experience. What are the best strategies to break into clinical roles (like phlebotomy, MA, or lab assisting) when you’re just starting out, and what should I focus on to stand out to employers?
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4 answers
Grace Paul
Caregiving
8
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Grace’s Answer
The honest answer is: most people don’t start with “perfect experience” in healthcare—they start small and build it.
Even when jobs say “experience required,” what they really want is someone who has been around patients in any way.
So the way in is to:
Start with entry-level roles like caregiver or assistant
Get exposure through hospital attachments or volunteering
Show your training and willingness to learn
Once you get that first step, experience starts to build from there. In healthcare, your first job is usually what gives you the experience you need for the next one.
Even when jobs say “experience required,” what they really want is someone who has been around patients in any way.
So the way in is to:
Start with entry-level roles like caregiver or assistant
Get exposure through hospital attachments or volunteering
Show your training and willingness to learn
Once you get that first step, experience starts to build from there. In healthcare, your first job is usually what gives you the experience you need for the next one.
James Hanson
Pediatric Intensive Care Physician; Consultant
266
Answers
Oakland, California
Updated
James’s Answer
There is a demand for most healthcare roles, so if you are not able to find something right away, keep at it - perhaps by expanding your range a few more miles. Apply even if they say they require experience. Speak to your confidence and your willingness to learn and grow professionally. I have found that it is often relatively easy to find work as an EMT, and sometimes as an ED Tech, so if the phlebotomy or MA ideas aren't panning out, consider that training (which is helpful to physicians anyway).
Many medical students don't have any meaningful clinical experience, so do not feel it is absolutely necessary. Working in a research laboratory might influence medical school admission folks as much. Most important in your "getting in" will be your grades and then test scores and letters of recommendation. Find away without being obnoxious, to impress a couple professors so you can obtain strong letters.
Many medical students don't have any meaningful clinical experience, so do not feel it is absolutely necessary. Working in a research laboratory might influence medical school admission folks as much. Most important in your "getting in" will be your grades and then test scores and letters of recommendation. Find away without being obnoxious, to impress a couple professors so you can obtain strong letters.
Suraayah Hunter
Independent Consultant
29
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Suraayah’s Answer
Hi Alexa — I see you’re here in Conyers, GA, so let me speak to you directly and make this as real and practical as possible. What you’re experiencing is something almost every student goes through when trying to break into healthcare: every job wants experience, but no one tells you how to get that first foot in the door. The good news is that you have far more options than you think — especially in the East Metro Atlanta area.
You already have two major strengths working for you: you’re a biochemistry major on the pre‑med track, and you’re phlebotomy‑certified. That combination tells employers you’re serious, disciplined, and scientifically trained. Your challenge isn’t ability — it’s simply documented hours. So, the goal is to get you into the system, even if the first role isn’t your forever role.
Let me break this down in a way that makes sense for where you live and where you’re headed.
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
NON‑TRADITIONAL PATHWAYS
(These are overlooked but powerful ways to gain clinical experience near Conyers.)
Because you’re in Conyers, you’re close to one of the most unique job markets in the country — Atlanta’s entertainment and corporate corridor.
• Film & TV production sets (including Tyler Perry Studios)
Atlanta’s film industry hires medical support staff for cast and crew. Students help with vitals, first‑aid support, documentation, and on‑set health monitoring. It’s clinical experience in a creative environment — and it stands out on a résumé.
• Sports arenas & large event venues
Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, State Farm Arena, and major event spaces hire first‑aid assistants and health support staff. You get triage experience, patient interaction, and emergency‑response exposure.
• Corporate employee health departments along I‑20
Companies like Amazon, UPS, Pratt Industries, and large distribution centers have on‑site clinics. These roles include wellness screening, vitals, and occupational health support.
• Group homes, assisted living, and community centers in Rockdale & Newton County
These settings hire students for vitals, resident support, documentation, and basic care tasks. It’s hands‑on, meaningful, and builds strong patient‑interaction skills.
• Remote clinical‑support roles
Telehealth support, patient scheduling, medical call centers, and benefits navigation teach triage questioning, medical terminology, EMR navigation, and patient communication. These skills transfer directly into clinical roles.
• Community health fairs & nonprofit clinics
Rockdale County Health Department, local churches, and community centers host wellness events where students assist with vitals, screenings, specimen handling, and patient flow. These hours count as real clinical exposure.
• Research labs & clinical research centers
As a biochemistry major, you’re a strong candidate for sample processing, data collection, and lab support roles. These build sterile technique, documentation, and scientific precision.
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
TRADITIONAL PATHWAYS
(These are the classic routes into healthcare systems near Conyers.)
• Piedmont Rockdale Hospital (right in Conyers)
They hire patient care techs, lab assistants, transporters, and entry‑level clinical support staff.
• Emory Hillandale Hospital (Lithonia)
Great for ED support, lab roles, and clinical assistant positions.
• Kaiser Permanente Panola Medical Center
Often hires entry‑level clinical support and lab assistants.
• Wellstar & Grady East Metro locations
These systems hire float pool techs, lab runners, and ED support roles.
• Outpatient labs & blood donation centers
CSL Plasma (Conyers), BioLife (Lithonia), OneBlood, Red Cross, and Quest Diagnostics hire new phlebotomists regularly.
• Entry‑level clinical access roles
Patient care tech, lab runner, specimen processor, ED support, and clinical assistant roles often require no experience. Many of the best phlebotomists started as lab assistants.
• University or hospital‑based research
Clinical research assistant roles give you patient interaction, sample handling, and exposure to clinical workflow — all highly valued by medical schools.
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
NETWORKING & LINKEDIN
If you don’t have a LinkedIn profile yet, create one.
Healthcare hiring in Georgia is relationship‑driven. Once you’re inside a hospital or clinic — even as a volunteer or part‑time assistant — introduce yourself to lab managers, nurse managers, and phlebotomy supervisors. A supervisor who knows your name will hire you before they hire a stranger with experience.
You’re far more qualified than you think. Healthcare isn’t looking for perfection — it’s looking for people who show up, learn quickly, and treat patients well. Once you get your first role, every door opens.
– Dr. Hunter
1. Apply to Piedmont Rockdale, Emory Hillandale, Kaiser Panola, and Wellstar/Grady East Metro — they hire and train entry‑level candidates.
2. Target outpatient labs and blood donation centers (CSL Plasma Conyers, BioLife Lithonia, Quest, OneBlood).
3. Explore nontraditional clinical environments like Tyler Perry Studios, sports arenas, corporate employee health, group homes, and community centers.
4. Seek stepping‑stone roles (transport, lab runner, ED support, specimen processor) that get you physically inside the clinical environment.
5. Build a résumé and LinkedIn profile that highlight your certification, science background, reliability, and communication skills — employers hire for trainability at this stage.
You already have two major strengths working for you: you’re a biochemistry major on the pre‑med track, and you’re phlebotomy‑certified. That combination tells employers you’re serious, disciplined, and scientifically trained. Your challenge isn’t ability — it’s simply documented hours. So, the goal is to get you into the system, even if the first role isn’t your forever role.
Let me break this down in a way that makes sense for where you live and where you’re headed.
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
NON‑TRADITIONAL PATHWAYS
(These are overlooked but powerful ways to gain clinical experience near Conyers.)
Because you’re in Conyers, you’re close to one of the most unique job markets in the country — Atlanta’s entertainment and corporate corridor.
• Film & TV production sets (including Tyler Perry Studios)
Atlanta’s film industry hires medical support staff for cast and crew. Students help with vitals, first‑aid support, documentation, and on‑set health monitoring. It’s clinical experience in a creative environment — and it stands out on a résumé.
• Sports arenas & large event venues
Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, State Farm Arena, and major event spaces hire first‑aid assistants and health support staff. You get triage experience, patient interaction, and emergency‑response exposure.
• Corporate employee health departments along I‑20
Companies like Amazon, UPS, Pratt Industries, and large distribution centers have on‑site clinics. These roles include wellness screening, vitals, and occupational health support.
• Group homes, assisted living, and community centers in Rockdale & Newton County
These settings hire students for vitals, resident support, documentation, and basic care tasks. It’s hands‑on, meaningful, and builds strong patient‑interaction skills.
• Remote clinical‑support roles
Telehealth support, patient scheduling, medical call centers, and benefits navigation teach triage questioning, medical terminology, EMR navigation, and patient communication. These skills transfer directly into clinical roles.
• Community health fairs & nonprofit clinics
Rockdale County Health Department, local churches, and community centers host wellness events where students assist with vitals, screenings, specimen handling, and patient flow. These hours count as real clinical exposure.
• Research labs & clinical research centers
As a biochemistry major, you’re a strong candidate for sample processing, data collection, and lab support roles. These build sterile technique, documentation, and scientific precision.
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
TRADITIONAL PATHWAYS
(These are the classic routes into healthcare systems near Conyers.)
• Piedmont Rockdale Hospital (right in Conyers)
They hire patient care techs, lab assistants, transporters, and entry‑level clinical support staff.
• Emory Hillandale Hospital (Lithonia)
Great for ED support, lab roles, and clinical assistant positions.
• Kaiser Permanente Panola Medical Center
Often hires entry‑level clinical support and lab assistants.
• Wellstar & Grady East Metro locations
These systems hire float pool techs, lab runners, and ED support roles.
• Outpatient labs & blood donation centers
CSL Plasma (Conyers), BioLife (Lithonia), OneBlood, Red Cross, and Quest Diagnostics hire new phlebotomists regularly.
• Entry‑level clinical access roles
Patient care tech, lab runner, specimen processor, ED support, and clinical assistant roles often require no experience. Many of the best phlebotomists started as lab assistants.
• University or hospital‑based research
Clinical research assistant roles give you patient interaction, sample handling, and exposure to clinical workflow — all highly valued by medical schools.
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
NETWORKING & LINKEDIN
If you don’t have a LinkedIn profile yet, create one.
Healthcare hiring in Georgia is relationship‑driven. Once you’re inside a hospital or clinic — even as a volunteer or part‑time assistant — introduce yourself to lab managers, nurse managers, and phlebotomy supervisors. A supervisor who knows your name will hire you before they hire a stranger with experience.
You’re far more qualified than you think. Healthcare isn’t looking for perfection — it’s looking for people who show up, learn quickly, and treat patients well. Once you get your first role, every door opens.
– Dr. Hunter
Suraayah recommends the following next steps:
Patricia Johnston, CPHIMS, CPC, CIT
Application Analyst - Epic EHR
3
Answers
Butte, Montana
Updated
Patricia’s Answer
Have you looked into local groups like the Red Cross? They sometimes have blood pressure clinics or similar events where you can volunteer. Employers often value your ability to interact with the public and talk about health topics, not just specific experience. This can give you great things to talk about in interviews.