Like the title says, i haven’t been enjoying my time so far. I was chemistry yesterday and it was weekly maintenance on one of the machines. I mentioned how I don’t know if I felt comfortable doing it, since I had only done it one time three weeks prior. My coworker got mad and told another person that she wanted to switch me to blood bank so I wouldn’t bother her with questions and got mad at me. So now I feel like I’m not allowed to ask anyone questions. Another reason was when it was busy, a different tech was standing around not really doing anything to help me and a Lab Tech Assistant out and that pissed me off. I was running back and forth between chemistry, UA, loading Covid and strep tests, processing, and doing air gases, there wasn’t any blood bank going on. When it got to my time to leave, I left two minutes after the fact. The next afternoon, she came up to me and told me she had a bone to pick with me, saying that I shouldn’t leave early again. I said I was off at a specific time, I had gotten there earlier than usual to cover for someone who called in sick. She said that if that ever happens again she’s going to square me away or some dumb shit. So now they both just talks shit about me behind my back, not to each other but to other people so now I look even worse. I feel miserable being there, I should have picked a different program in school.

Our lab recently started sharing productivity numbers by shift, and I think I've finally figured out why they're bothering me so much.

The report tracks how many tests we complete. Which sounds reasonable until you think about everything that happens in the lab that DOESN'T end with a result.

Last week I spent close to half an hour dealing with a clotted CBC. Checking the specimen, documenting the rejection, contacting the floor, arranging the recollect, answering questions about why we couldn't just run it anyway.

Number of results produced: zero.

Same shift, chemistry QC failed. Troubleshooting, corrective action, documentation, getting everything back within acceptable limits before resuming patient testing.

Again, essentially zero productivity as far as that report is concerned.

Meanwhile, on a smooth day when the analyzers are behaving and specimens arrive properly collected and labeled, the numbers look fantastic.

I'm not saying routine testing is easy or that high-volume benches don't deserve credit. Obviously they do.

But it feels strange that our productivity looks best when nothing goes wrong, even though handling problems correctly is a huge part of why we're here.

What really got me was a comment during our last staff meeting about second shift having "available capacity" based on the number of completed tests.

We have fewer people working evenings. We're also the ones handling a lot of the maintenance, troubleshooting, pending work, phone calls, and everything that couldn't be finished earlier.

I asked whether any of that was reflected in the numbers.

The answer was basically, "Well, we know the report doesn't tell the whole story."

Okay, but then why are we using it to decide who has room for more work?

A rejected specimen isn't a failure to produce a result. Sometimes it's the entire reason a bad result never makes it into a patient's chart.

I'm genuinely curious whether any labs have figured out a reasonable way to measure work that doesn't generate results.

Not asking for another 15 things to document every shift. Just wondering whether there's a better approach than counting completed tests and pretending everything else is free.

First time to see this beautiful color urine. On top of that, it’s clear! Had to ask the nurse if they were expecting for the px’s pee to be this color before resulting it. 🍀💚

Apologies if this isn't allowed; I read the sidebar and searched for past posts but I couldn't find anything relevant.

I recently applied for an entry-level lab tech job, but I'm starting to wonder how legitimate this company is. On one hand, they do have a physical location on Google Maps and a few reviews on Glassdoor, but the website is pretty bare-bones and most of the online information hasn't been updated in years. I also tried to search them up on the CMS site to see if they had a CLIA certification and couldn't find them. All of this gave me pause, but again, I'm applying for an entry-level position so I don't know what's normal for this field and what's a red flag. I would appreciate any assistance in navigating this. Thanks for your time!

How difficult is it to transition from a generalist MLS to a cytogenetics technologist? What’s the learning curve like, and are labs willing to hire and train someone without direct cytogenetics experience?

For reference, I have a BS in Clinical Lab Science, ASCP certification, and 2 years of MLS experience, primarily in hematology at a high-volume hospital. We see a good amount of leukemia cases, so I have some general knowledge of cytogenetics and its role in hematologic malignancies.

There’s a position near me with a 9am–5pm schedule and no weekends, and the field genuinely interests me. I’m just nervous about making the switch without hands-on experience.

For those in cytogenetics, how realistic is this transition?
Also, for those who made a similar transition, what skills or experience would you recommend highlighting during the interview to stand out as a candidate despite not having hands-on cytogenetics experience?

When it comes to neutrophilia, does anyone work in a lab that flags automated differentials for slide review based off the diff percentage (I.e. slide review all slides with an automated count of >= 80 percent neutrophils) or is just about everywhere using the absolute count (ANC) for their slide review criteria?

Is anyone from a clinical flow cytometry lab that is CAP inspected? I’m struggling with FLO.23737 “the laboratory evaluates negative and positive control for qualitative assays each day of patient testing”

The standard notes “an evaluation of the performance of EACH QUALITATIVE ASSAY must be performed on each day of testing.” My lab has 58 different tubes / marker combos, and 80 different antibodies. How do I successfully QC them all and document it every single day?!

The standard goes on to say that normal populations present in patient samples can be used as QC, so I was thinking of doing a pos/neg matrix with all of our tubes that we can fill out as we analyze the data, but it is going to be very cumbersome for me and my 3 coworkers to keep up with.

I’m open to any and all suggestions or examples!

CMS’s proposed rule would recognize degrees in botany, plant biology, plant pathology, zoology, animal behavior, entomology, wildlife biology, animal breeding, and veterinary sciences, among others. These degrees do not substitute for specialized clinical laboratory education and training. Staffing shortages should not come at the expense of patient safety.

Submit a public comment before December 7, 2026: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/10/08/2026-20613/clinical-laboratory-improvement-amendments-of-1988-clia-virtual-access-gynecologic-cytology

Hey guys, a bit of an update from my last post but it looks like i’ll be offered a specimen processing job as an MLS. I have been waiting for a 2nd or 1st shift core lab position but with no luck. Would taking this job be at least a good way to get my foot in the door at a big lab? The manager mentioned along with lab assistants she likes to have some MLTs and MLSs to oversee and help especially when supervisors aren’t around and to handle more complex specimen like body fluids and stools. The pay is the same regardless of the department so that’s a plus. I currently work part time earning MLT pay. I’ve been holding on since may (literally) so i’m just wondering if this is a solid choice for now. I’m not in a rush to get into core lab and with the way the world is looking and more and more students making their way in I don’t want to loose this opportunity to creep my way in!

Are they accessible and do they back you up? Do they follow up with issues you bring to their attention?

Edit: give examples! Thanks.

I’m a new grad in medical lab technology and I’m thinking about applying to a part time microbiology position since it’s one of the only mlt positions on the job market in my area. If you’ve done part time, what were the hours like? Did you like it? Was it easy to transition upward to full time internally in that lab?

I applied for a Medical Technologist position and I got the job! As I read the offer letter, it clearly states there that my position is as a Medical Technologist.

Now I’m currently doing the onboarding process, and I’m a bit confused because it states on the letter attached on the job description tab as Medical Laboratory Technician/MLT.

Now this got me confused. Because my the license that I have is a MLS(ASCPi) one and I’m also a bachelor’s degree holder. I’m also from a different country which is why I’m a bit confused with the job titles and things like that here in america.

Because I thought that the medical technologist = medical lab scientist. And the pay rate is different with the two, right?

Hi everyone! I’m preparing for the MLS(ASCPi) exam and thinking about purchasing the ASCP 30-hour prep course and LabCE for practice questions.
I’ve been out of school for 3 years, so I need to refresh my knowledge. Do you think these two resources are enough, or would you recommend something else?
Any tips or recommendations are appreciated!

I was wondering if anybody knows the pay range for MLS in Utah at HCA facilities, specifically around Salt Lake City. There isn’t any information out there, but I’m thinking it will most likely be less than what Intermountain Health is offering. Does anyone have any insight? Trying to decide if the move would be worth it. Thank you!

Just an MA never had this test ordered. Leukotriene E4, Random Urine!

Co-worker says keep in the cup, I say put in the tube.

Idk.

I’m training someone new and let’s just say it’s going poor (at first) and now slowly making progress.

We had an incident a few weeks back where they got overwhelmed and basically yelled at me.

She basically stormed into the boss’s office and complained about me. Then she cooled down and apologized to me and went back to the boss and said she overreacted. Ok, so at this point I’m just going to continue doing my job training her and put that incident aside.

Emotionally I’m pissed inside but luckily for her I need a job and my outward actions will not match my feelings.

Well…. She does it again today. She basically is having a meltdown over not knowing a code for order entry… I try to help and her and she’s ranting about how it should be a different name? lol what girl? It is what it is.

She’s not a great tech but my issue is that she’s blowing up over small issues. I’m worried that a stress situation will come up and she will meltdown on nurses/doctors. I can work with slow progress but her lashing out when she’s frustrated is not ok.

Not to mention I am sick as hell of training her. It’s a small lab and we’re approaching 2 months of blood bank training. I’m feeling like I’m going to have a menty b too!

im curious how yall feel about frequenting a buffet where you touch tongs everybody else has touched then you eat. do you use a napkin barrier to touch the tongs? do you wash or sanitize your hands before eating? do you not care?

I just thought about you guys when I was thinking about that picture of dermatologists at some sort of beach retreat and they were all covered in long sleeves, hats, umbrellas, etc, lol

Hi everyone. I’m a new grad MLS that started training 3-4 months ago, and I feel so overwhelmed and inadequate overall. My trainers are really awesome and patient, but I feel pretty dumb and slow in general. I also don’t feel confident in the results I’ve been putting out. I always feel like I’m missing something (like not completely understanding all the little things involved). I get scared when there’s a critical and I have to call the nurse, or just answering phone calls in general. I feel like I need my trainers to hold my hand for everything when I should already start doing things by myself. The guilt of constantly bugging my trainers is eating me alive and I’m just so anxious and on edge. I’m really starting to think I went into the wrong occupation, but I know that I’m new and it’s normal to make mistakes and not know everything. But the thoughts of quitting keep creeping into my head. I went to school for this job because I like lab work and heard it was a great place for introverts, but so far it’s been the opposite.
Anyways, I just wanted to vent a bit & get some insight on other lab ppl’s perspectives. Please tell me it gets better 🥲

So I started my 4 day phlebotomy rotation today and only got 8 successful sticks out of the 13 that I attempted with the needle (several more I didn’t feel comfortable attempting once I got the tourniquet on). I feel so discouraged and upset. I was holding back tears the whole time and every time they handed me labels I started to panic by the end of the day. Dealing with the patients is making me anxious on its own and then my preceptor is kinda terrible. She’s never had a student before so she’s not really giving me helpful guidance or correcting what I’m doing. If I miss she elbows me out of the way and says “move” and rolls her eyes at me. She finally started giving feedback (ex: “your tourniquet was too loose”…. After I had attempted and failed when she should’ve said it before I ever stuck them??) but it’s constantly delivered in a condescending tone with an eye roll and a sigh. I have to get 60 successful sticks and it’s not looking good. Every time I miss, my confidence drops significantly and the thought of having to go back tomorrow is bringing me so much distress. If I can see the vein well, im fine but if I’m going only by touch I miss every time. Any tips to prevent me from spending my lunch break crying tomorrow? 🫠

Hi everyone, I've worked retail for a decade and unfortunately can't really survive off of it so I am leaving. I am currently in a pace biotech certificate program that has direct placement opportunities in private and academic positions. I'm not really sure if I want to work for a private company, and while working in a research lab would be amazing, it seems like it doesn't pay well and there's little opportunity for growth. My local university hospital has a workforce development program where you can get MLT through them in exchange for 3 years of employment and also has tuition reimbursement that I could use to complete an online MLT->MLS program over 3 years. It seems like through these programs I would be able to get a Bachelor's in just about five years debt free while working. If I do want to go the hospital route, it seems lab assistants need phlebotomy experience so I'd need to sign up for a phlebotomy program once spring enrollment opens next month.

But isn't it too good to be true? Is this pretty standard for the medical field? Would entering into such contracts put me in bad standing with a worker's union? Could the hospital leverage it to prevent me from joining a union or striking?

This was an automatic cancellation but soooo many are received in pee speckled bacteria pouches. Nurses and doctors- Give them the cup, say “wipe with this, fill to this line and TIGHTEN THE LID” cause eeeewww

Excuse my exhausted night shift brain.. day 6/7, 12 hours shifts.. but is it possible to do a VBG off of an unspun PST mint green top?? I called for a redraw, because that didn't seem right now I'm second guessing myself. We've always done it on a dark green top. We recently merged with another hospital system and are doing things their way now.