CSL Plasma Center

I’ve recently started donating again after a decade long break from plasma donation. It’s changed a lot since my last visit, and the level of professionalism has dropped considerably, but overall, they’ve made some improvements that are positive changes for the donor.
The man that runs the front desk is AMAZING! He’s got that «I’m a cool guy just like you» thing going on while also having the knowledge to answer all your questions and get you going in the right direction.
No more being called by your name and going from room to room to answer questions and have your vitals taken. Now you walk in, go to a kiosk, scan your thumb print, answer some questions and go stand in a line. As soon as the next door opens, you walk in and they take your vitals. As soon as that’s completed, you sit in another line and wait to be called into the next donor bay. They hook you up to a machine that’s faster and once you’ve been stuck, you’re finished in around 35 — 40 minutes. Once you’re disconnected and your bandage is applied, you’re finished and can leave at any time. The person that removed your needle is the same person that pays you. Oh yea– and you don’t get paper checks anymore, you get a re-​loadable Visa card from Citibank, so you’ve got your money before you even walk out of the door.
This isn’t something I’m thrilled to do, but the money is necessary in my life right now. It’s the best tax free part time job I know of, so if you need a little help in making your ends meet, give CSL Plasma Center a try.

There have been some improvements over the years but it is still very much a «free for all» — screeners will check their cell phone, talk to other employees, make you wait as long as possible… why…because they can. Gloves are not changed frequently enough, and when they do you often wonder why because there is a lot of body (self and others) and equiptment touching before they touch you. I need to send some details to the FDA about bloody vials on the floor and stuff through the years, they owe me some money. The game: «come in and talk to the manager about your emailed complaint. Surprise, the manager is not here and you can’t donate. Sorry, you loose your time, gas, and donation income. Corporate is trying to play it off as some potential «eligibility issue (I have none).» –I was pushed and breathed on in line continuously one Sunday afternoon, by the way… yes, there are some other things besides plasma donation trying to happen here.

I am updating my review after revisiting this center once more. I went around 6:30am there was no wait. The staff was very pleasant and the process was very fast. The facility was very clean as well. I liked that there was wifi available but it was very slow. There is not a lot you can do since you will only have one arm available. Drink lots of water the day before you go to release your plasma faster. I called around one other plasma donation center and this facility actually pays more than the other plasma donation center located on central. It feels good to give plasma to someone in need and also get a little money in return! Can’t beat that!

This is the only plasma donation center I have used so far, so I can’t offer a comparison. If you’ve been to a donation center before, you probably know what’s up.
This place is frequented by people who are out of work, or otherwise need money badly. That said, it’s pretty chill and filled with bored, tired, employees and clients.
They keep lowering the pay, which is irritating.
Pay is given through prepaid Visa cards, which is fairly convenient. The irritating part about it is the surcharge when you use it to purchase something at a store. That said, you can check your balance online and it’s easy to use.
Expect it to take around 2 hours, though it can take as much as 3 – 4 if you go any time that isn’t 7 AM on a week day. Expect to spend 5 if it’s your first donation. At 190 pounds I get paid $ 30 a donation, though you get more your first two times.
If you’d like to learn more about donating plasma, and similar activities, check out my blog.

Well, I must say, I read the first persons review of this place and I have to agree with him, I donated back in 2008, and his description of the place was not far from the truth at all, HOWEVER, I moved away in 2009, and just recently came back to the Charlotte area in late 2010. I needed a little extra cash, so I went back, NOW it is all electronic, you walk in, and don’t even have to talk with a person if you do not want to, (but you still have the option to) and walk over to the machines (very noticeable), and fill out the small questionnaire, and wait about 20 minutes then you are called back to be medically examined (to make sure you are fit for the donation), then called back in about 5 – 10 minutes after that. The donation process takes about an hour to an hour and a half depending on the person. First time donors, or return donors that have been gone for more than a year, pay for you will start at $ 50.00 dollars a visit, (you are allowed to donate twice a week) and then $ 45.00 and $ 25.00 rotating after that! Its not bad if you need the extra cash and have the time to spare, it is worth your time! A lot better than 2008, and I would recommend that you give it another try!

First of all I am not a crackhead, I wanted to pull some pocket cash on a Saturday afternoon and this place was right down the block from where I used to live. Why not, I wasn’t really interested in any of the football games on TV; I enjoy getting tattoos, this should be just as fun right? Probably not, but I could afford another concert ticket for the week with an additional thirty spot.
I had to wait for about fifteen minutes before anyone would even approach me. The waiting area is pretty huge and they had some lighthearted Leslie Nielson movie playing on screens all over the place. A very fitting movie to loosen a patient up before draining fluids from them. That was distasteful, my apologies.
The woman at the front counter approached me and told me that I had to fill out an application and wait for the donation. Forget it, it really wasn’t worth it in the first place.
I waited for my sister outside and a Jamaican security guard forced me to step away from the door. «Look man, I am just waiting for a ride,» I said. Well he wasn’t impressed. «Step back man,» he said. Fine, two stars for the Leslie Nielson movie.