1. BioLife Plasma Services

    1. BioLife Plasma Services

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    San Marcos, CA

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    BioLife Plasma Services

    2.3 (76 reviews)
    Closed 6:00 am - 7:30 pm

    BioLife Plasma Services Photos

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    New Donor waiting area
    Danii V.

    Very Disappointing I booked an appointment at 11:15 via the website. I've donated over a year ago so I received an email saying I need a new physical. When I arrived there were 4 people in line and no one at the front desk; although the sign at the entrance states -stop at the front desk if you need a physical. A woman came to help me ten minutes later and informed me she couldn't find my phone number and I needed to update it so they could view my appointment. I wasn't previously informed I needed to "update my phone number" when I booked the appointment on the website. She was able to find my appointment using my name (I'm still not sure why they need a number on file). The woman directed me to sit in the new donor waiting area. I waited five minutes before I was called to complete additional information to get checked in with Lisa. Although it wasn't crowded the staff seemed very "busy" and a bit unorganized. Lisa asked me if there were any changes to my information before she left to answer a phone call. She didn't ask me to wait or excuse herself she just walked away towards the phone. She had an uncomfortably negative attitude with the person over the phone repeatedly stating "you need to fix your number in the portal the number isn't coming up !" Her tone grew louder before she hung up the phone. Apparently I wasn't the only person whose "phone number wasn't coming up" for the appointment. She returned minutes later and completed my check in. I waited in line before getting my vitals checked. ‼As I waited for my vitals the employee next to me complained about not understanding why she had to go on break. While another employee informed staff they would be closing a section and Lisa loudly stated "Why?!". There is clearly tension at this location and nothing is worse than customers/donors being exposed to a noticeably dysfunctional work environment. I was told my "hematocrit levels" were too low so I couldn't donate. I wasn't given any additional information as to what hematocrit was or what I needed to do to return. Therefore I will not be returning. It saddens me that people carve out time and energy to donate their blood/plasma and get treated so poorly by staff. Donating should be rewarding not only through compensation but friendly and helpful staff. I've donated at other facilities and had a much better experience.

    Arm started leaking blood
    Gary C.

    Heard about the promo. Check up exam all went well. Laid back in chair. Had needle put in arm. Was told to keep squeezing the ball. Saw blood coming out of arm where needle was. Everyday the bruise is spreading. 2 days now.

    Wtf? Pathetic do your job right!
    Andrew H.

    They fking suck! "Let us know if it ends up hurting or need something" mf how!?! There's no one in the section they're all gathered up in a group on the opposite side and laugh, giggle etc. I tried getting someone's attention, I was ignored. Pain was increasing..,rapidly I was gonna pull the needle out and patch myself up. Blood is not a problem with me, as a marine vet I'm capable of doing it myself. Worst mfs ever! Pathetic. I know half of you don't know how to poke! Go to the FRONT AND STAY THERE checking people in! Let the pros go and poke in the back! Before you get punched! Horrible care!

    Daphne A.

    So many reasons NOT to choose this location! This was my second time donating. The Vista location was closed on Monday so I tried San Marcos. 1) I arrived at 1:03 for my 1:15 appointment. Overheard the "Trainer" at the desk telling people to try to log in early. No luck. 2) "Trainer" said the computer system was not working properly so to "keep trying". No luck. 3) Tried to log in again at 1:10 (5 minutes prior to my 1:15 appointment). No luck. 4) Tried to log in again at 1:15. No luck. 5) "Trainer" took my name and told me that my appointment was actually at 1:05. She lied. She said I was LATE and the computer kicked me out. I didn't "keep trying long enough". Too bad for me. 6) The "Trainer" was making up stuff on the fly. She was rude and dismissive. I'll never go back to this location. Considering the rude staff that purports to be a "Trainer" and the crappy computer system, it's a huge waste of time.

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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

    The staff and techs there are very friendly and knowledgeable AND gentle when they start the procedure .. thank you

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    3 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    4 years ago

    They have awful customer service they treated me like a dog and made me wait outside I probably will not be returning here but going to csl

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    3 years ago

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    Page 2 of 2

    Ask the Community - BioLife Plasma Services

    Review Highlights - BioLife Plasma Services

    Staff was very nice, especially Daniel, he was very professional and respectful, he made sure the process went as smoothly as possible.

    Mentioned in 6 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    Kind people, easy and quick. The care was sufficient for being a money clinic. Def expect to be…read morethere for a while for your first time.

    I went in to donate plasma and had a very concerning experience during the initial screening. When…read moreI was called to the station to have my iron and protein checked with a finger prick, the area had not been cleaned from the previous donor. There was visible blood left on the station and materials that had been used before me. What was most alarming was how it was handled. The staff member wiped the station using a towel that already had the other person's blood on it, flipped it over so the blood side touched her glove, and then proceeded to take my finger prick without changing gloves. Seeing someone else's blood present and then watching the same gloves used on me made me extremely uncomfortable and anxious about possible exposure to bloodborne illnesses. I ended up feeling so overwhelmed that I fainted shortly after. After I came to, I explained privately that the situation with the visible blood and glove contact was what caused my anxiety. I was told gloves do not need to be changed unless there is contact with another person's blood, but in this case the glove clearly had made contact with blood that was not mine. While the staff did assist me when I fainted, there were additional concerns. At one point another staff member came over and began discussing another patient's information out loud, which seemed like a violation of patient privacy. I'm sharing this experience in hopes that better sanitation and privacy practices are enforced. Donating plasma should feel safe and hygienic, and unfortunately this visit did not feel that way

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    LifeStream Blood Bank

    LifeStream Blood Bank

    4.1(24 reviews)
    29.6 mi

    The place is nice, clean, cool, bright, red white and blue colors 4th of july few days ago…read more Started with text reminder that I am available to donate. Every 4 month for a double red donation. Then went on my app for express pass for a long list of questionnaire by doing it saves time. I never make reservations always walk in and I guess lucky to not wait. When I enter Craig the volunteer this tall, friendly good looking man greeted me and was very nice attentive from beginning to the end. Offered drinks snacks and asked how I was. Next Nick the nurse very nice, helpful, informative and friendly. Check how I was doing during process explained procedures and what was happening with the machines. Started with mini physical checked temperature, blood pressure, pricked finger got some blood to check hemoglobin (iron) and weight. Then you lay on reclining bed, the arm that has the needle lays on a warming pad which feels more comfy. Took about 45minutes for the whole process. Then your arm gets taped and informed about what to do afterwards like no lifting, no drinking etc. you also get a paper with more information like who to call incase something bad happens. Then wait 15 minutes before leaving and waiting area theres some snacks and drinks. By the way I been here so many times and all the volunteers and nurse do amazing job. Once again Craig & Nick thank you, appreciate what you guys do, have a nice day! Lastly theres area for kids to wait and watch television. Brought my son before and its ok.

    I have donated at Livestream Blood Bank consistently for the past two years without a single issue,…read morewhich makes this experience even more troubling. During my most recent visit, I was having casual conversation with a staff member while going through the screening process. I mentioned that I served in the military and that while deployed overseas, we were briefed on certain diseases present in different regions. I referenced one illness that required quarantine if contracted -- something we were told as part of standard military health briefings. It was clearly general information from my time in service, not a personal medical disclosure. Despite clarifying multiple times that I do not have any illness and was simply recounting a military briefing, the staff member treated my comment as if I were admitting to having a disqualifying condition. I was then denied the opportunity to donate and ultimately had a permanent block placed on my account. When I requested to speak with someone in a supervisory role, I did not receive a clear explanation for the decision. No one could articulate how a general story about military health briefings resulted in such a severe action -- especially given my two-year history of successful donations both at this location and at other centers. What makes this situation particularly concerning is that I left feeling profiled rather than evaluated based on facts. I cannot ignore the possibility that unconscious bias may have played a role in how my comments were interpreted and escalated. After two years as a compliant donor, the sudden shift in treatment without clear reasoning raises serious questions. Donors deserve consistent standards, clear communication, and professionalism. Instead, I experienced embarrassment, inconvenience, and what felt like discriminatory treatment. I sincerely hope this organization reviews how situations like this are handled so that other donors do not have a similar experience. -- Michael

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    Phlebotomy Training Academy - Phlebotomy Training Academy

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    Phlebotomy Training Academy school is highly recommended and highly praised. Ken is very…read moreknowledgeable, professional, patient, and very flexible to work with your school and schedule needs. Ken's teaching tactics prepare you for the national state exam. Every day in class, he gives you a quiz and goes over the answers you missed after taking the test. He believes failure and mistakes are the best teachers. After you complete the class lectures and didactics, Ken still allows you to come back and practice blood draws if you feel that you need more practice. He sets you up with externship with ease. There were negative reviews regarding how difficult it was during covid times. Not many places were open on those times, yet Ken still kept in touch with his students, and he found ways to make it work. Please take my word for it. This is a top-notch phlebotomy program. Ken's teaching skills, knowledge, fairness, and flexibility will not disappoint. His program will help you pass the state exam, sharpen your phlebotomy knowledge, and prepare you for a job.

    I am writing this review to warn future students about my current situation and the potential…read moreissues they may face. I enrolled in the Phlebotomy Training Academy (PTA) 3-week course (held over 5 Saturdays) because it seemed like a quick and convenient way to complete phlebotomy training. Unfortunately, my experience has been very different from what I expected. I completed the course in August. The National Healthcareer Association (NHA) exam was more difficult than the curriculum prepared us for. However, I did learn a lot during the course, especially from Alana, who was a fantastic instructor and very knowledgeable in her field. I passed the NHA exam in October and immediately began the externship placement process in November. This is where the majority of my issues began. The program primarily uses two externship sites: * Palomar Health - which currently has an extremely long waitlist for externship placement. * Sharp Rees-Stealy - which was restricted to "essential personnel only" and required additional background checks and drug testing. When they eventually responded about placements, they said they would only accept one student per month. Because of the long waitlists and restrictions, I chose a third externship option that required an additional $300 payment. This option was supposed to guarantee faster placement and allow students to complete the externship and obtain state certification within one week. I also attempted to pursue certification through other organizations, such as the American Red Cross, but I was unsuccessful in securing placement through those routes. I have called and emailed the school multiple times without receiving clear answers. I eventually went to the office in person, where Leah advised me to speak directly with Ken Gravley regarding placement, even though I had already been trying to reach him. When I finally spoke with Ken, he told me to stop by the office and bring cash or a check for the externship placement with Dr. Wong. This felt unusual because he told not only me but other students the same thing to place the cash or check in an envelope and leave it in his mailbox, with no receipt or proof of payment. We were told that at some point he would contact us with externship dates. This entire process has been a stressful and frustrating experience, especially while balancing work and personal responsibilities. I strongly recommend that future students carefully consider the potential challenges they may face when enrolling in this program. I have also reached out to several previous students who left 1-star reviews here and received responses from Ken. I plan to update this review based on whether those students were ultimately able to receive externship placement and obtain their certification. If students are unable to become certified after paying $1,995 for the program, that is a significant financial loss. Living in California is already expensive, and it is concerning to invest that amount of money in a program that may not provide the support needed to obtain certification as promised.

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