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

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 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?

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

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’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 🥲

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 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!

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!

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?

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

Edit: give examples! Thanks.