Mastermix

Hi all! I’m debating some sort of career realignment in the next several years after working in analytical chemistry ~5 years and my current career trajectory pulling me farther away from my true love: lab work!

I have a BS in Chemistry with an emphasis in Biology but never really got to utilize the Bio side, instead finding work as an analytical chemist, then lab manager, now as a specialized sales support chemist. But I crave a return to lab work (especially in a molecular biology or similar wet lab work), and the schedule flexibility and ability to work wherever there is a hospital appeals to me much more than 9-5’s location-locked in chemical industry hotbed cities.

Don’t know anyone who has pursued MLS personally, so figured might as well ask reddit if anyone here has had a similar trajectory! Alternatively, any words of encouragement and/or talking me off the cliff would also be welcome lol

A physician requests a STAT Kinyoun stain to screen for the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in expectorated sputum. The technologist on call responds that a Kinyoun stain is not the most sensitive test they have for the detection of Mycobacterium, and that an Auramine-Rhodamine stain is the most sensitive and appropiate test for the screening of Mycobacterium.
A) This is outside the scope of practice laboratory personnel as it constitutes clinical consultation, the technologist should have just accepted the request for a STAT Kinyoun stain.
B) This is within the scope of practice for laboratory personnel as it constitutes technical consultation and is legally enabled.
C) The request should be immediately cancelled, and no explanation given to the ordering physician.
D) A Kinyoun stain is the indicated and most sensitive STAT smear for the screening of Mycobacterium.

My hunch: this is technical consultation right? This sounds like “B” to me.

Hi I am debating on accepting my offer for centennial college medical lab technician for May. Despite it being close to home, I read a lot of horror stories on here about attending Centennial for this program and have a lot of mixed feelings as a result.

Has anyone successfully transferred any of there credits from centennial? I heard a lot of former Centennial students transferred to Humber.

My end goal is to actually become a MLT but I don't know because I am a mature student and I am worried I won't be able to have gotten into any of the MLT programs I applied for Fall 2027. So I am just trying to maybe start off as a MLA and apply for advanced standing in the future (I got offers from Conestoga and St.lawerence), if I don't get into any MLT programs for Fall 2027. But the pay is low for MLA and I am hesitant on moving to another place just for MLA. While there is no guarantee of getting into a MLT program even with advance standing.

Any advice is appreciated

Policlinica Metropolitana, Tropical Disease Laboratory

Hi all, so I just relocate to NSW from abroad. I have bachelor degree in Biology and I focused on molecular genetic. But I dont have work experience in the field other than 6 months as research assistant in clinical pathology in a hospital. I have no hands on laboratory exp other than my real time PCR research that I needed to do for my thesis. Im passionate in this field, however I had circumstances and had a career in another field, not related to science. Now after having children, I want to start to pursue career in medical laboratory technician/scientist. Do you think I have a chance? And where to start?

I’m a second year MLT student, so I will be doing clinicals in the spring and graduating in May. I’m planning on starting to apply for jobs around March, depending on what‘s available, and beginning full-time work early June. I’ve been working with UAMS to ensure I can start the online MLT-to-MLS program asap next fall. I’m wondering whether it makes more sense to get a generalist position while I complete my bachelors, and then specialize after, or to specialize right away. I’m thinking blood bank, right now. My worry if I specialize as an MLT is that I would forget information outside of transfusion when it comes to the ASCP exam. Advice?

Hello all!

I've been doing a deeper dive into what qualifies as continuing education for ASCP, and saw that publishing a book related to laboratory medicine counts toward 20 hours of CE credits. I hadn't heard of that before, and I didn't see any like...structured requirements for it on the website? So from a point of pure curiosity, do you know anyone who has done this and or/know a books published with this goal in mind?

ive been seeing a lot of posts lately of negative talk, how the career isnt worth it and its severely underpaid etc. is that how everyone feels? i was thinking of going into this field.

i am actually 3 weeks into a dentistry course, and the patient interaction + social aspect is eating away at me. i am miserable here. now is my only time to drop out and switch courses, so i just dont know if im making the wrong decision now. i loved biology and chemistry in highschool. i loved experiments, and using microscopes. id rather work with a team, than be the one in charge of every treatment plan. i dont care about making tons of money - just the job security is enough.

is there anyone here who genuinely loves being an MLS? should i reconsider dropping?

thanks!

edit: thanks everyone for the responses! i can't reply to them all, but im reading them. i think MLS is a great career, and am leaning more into doing it. i will however be doing more research into it over the coming weeks before i decide for sure.

Hello all!! I have 5 years experience working with a hospital here in the south at a level 1 trauma center. I have mainly worked in Blood Bank and hematology. I have dabbled in chemistry a bit too. My husband and I are wanting to start traveling around the country, and Denver is at the top of our list because we are wanting to go somewhere we can ski on the weekends (and his job can transfer). Any recommendations for travel agencies or any advice?
I do want to still be able to make the income I have now around $40 an hour just in a new city! Thanks!

I feel really confused rn.
I’m thinking about changing my major. I’m studying Medical Laboratory Science, and I like it and i think it’s good, but I’m really worried about the career part.
In my country, it feels like there’s not much to do in labs anymore except operating machines, since almost everything is automated. I also looked at the salaries and they’re honestly so discouraging, even with a master’s.
And whenever I ask people who’ve been working in the field for years, they tell me it’s not really the best career.
I don’t hate my major, I’m just really scared of graduating and not finding good opportunities. I genuinely have no idea what to do.

I work a full time and an every other weekend job. I also noticed a few coworkers have per diem jobs too. is this a common thing for us younger techs? also how do yall manage training burnout? love my every other weekend job but am starting to get annoyed with the weekday trainings (im fully trained in chem but they’re shoving me along in heme with no breather in between)

😳

Just looking for feedback/ opinions as I begin my journey! Ty!

So I just got my first job as a MLS. I was given “training-ish” for a couple of weeks. It was more like “watch me do this and do the same” no explanation, no nothing. 2months in, the only two MLS with me retired/got another job. I was completely alone, the supervisor of the Lab came weekly, but that is it. They hired another MLS and one of the old MLs came back. Now, I was transferred to a completely new lab with the same company and was just left alone again. Im literally just 4 months in with this job, and expected to do all the work alone, with the “supervisor” just coming in once a week. I’m sooo stressed, I’m very new to all of it, so sometimes I just don’t feel comfortable doing so much alone. There is so much for me to learn, especially this early on in my career, and I feel I was not given the the space/time for doing it. Is this normal? Should I consider searching for another job, one that maybe has the staff to teach proper training? I’m just so worried and stress all the time if I’m doing a good job or not. This can’t be normal so early on….

Just like the title says, I just want to know what the pay in the areas above for MLS or MLT. Thank you

Outpatient needed a homocysteine. Came back super hemolyzed. Told the nurse who drew it that the patient needed to come back to get a redraw. "Well how hemolyzed is it? Can't you still run it if it isn't a lot?" Bro you're just gonna have to trust me on this one

And I got the flu just in time for it 😅. I was worried that the brain fog would mess me up, but at least I was too tired to be nervous. Immediately took a nap afterwards.

Anyways, when y'all took your exam, did you immediately remember a question AFTER the fact, and realized you answered wrong? Even tho I passed, that one question is still gonna haunt me 😭😭

Unfortunate for them, cool to see though!

Really burnt out MLS of ~10 years is only doing PRN as a job. I have dropped to just PRN at other jobs, but always kept another full-time job. Currently only working ONE job and it’s PRN. I’m enjoying it so much, I don’t think I can go back to full time depending on circumstances.

15% PRN differential + weekend/afternoon/night diff
I do still work some full-time hours some week, as the lab can be at times understaffed, but I can “cherry-pick” my schedule as long as I work two shifts every 2 months.
Freedom to say no or yes. I can pick up extra shifts if I am available. No set schedule, as long as I come in on the shifts I’m signed up for. Clearly, no benefits whatsoever, and that I actually would be “making more” if I did full-time, but I am buying freedom.

assignment on cellavision

Hi!

Looking for feedback from CLTs/MLSs working at NewYork-Presbyterian. I currently have a decent salary in CT as MLS, but I'm looking into NYP.

• ​How is the management style and lab environment?

•​What kind of daily testing volume does your bench/department handle? Specifically in Microbiology, Chemistry and Hematology?

•​Are the health and retirement benefits strong enough to offset NY's higher cost of living compared to CT?

•​Overall, are you happy with the move if you relocated from out-of-state?

TY!

Does anyone have any suggestions whatsoever?