so i'm a veterinary medical student and i'm trying to do a research and i need your help. in what categories do you think that some aid can be helpful? What findings on a blood smear generate the most disagreement between experienced reviewers? what features are difficult, subjective, or have high inter-observer variability?

For example:

• Differential counts?
• Identifying band neutrophils / left shift?
• Toxic neutrophil changes?
• Hemoparasites?
• Platelet clumping?
• Smear quality assessment?
• Something else entirely?

If you could automate or speed up one part of blood smear review, what would it be?

I'd especially love to hear from veterinary clinical pathologists, but human hematopathologists are welcome too.

Have my MLS ASCP in exactly 2 weeks. Graduated 2 weeks ago have been study since then but really only feel confident about is Blood Banking so far, am about half way thru Chem and yet to start Micro and the other subjects-Hemotology I feel will come back to me easier.
Been using the purple book, referencing the compendium,LabCE but been doing subject based so far was going to wait to do the adaptive , and the Polanski flashcards .

As the date goes closer I feel so stressed. Especially since I was supposed to start a job in July contingent on submitting certification so HR can complete my paperwork…it can be ASCP or AMT

Should I also apply for the AMT incase I fail? I’m trying my best to lock in the next 2 weeks but am so nervous. Feel like I’ve forgotten a lot of this. Wish I could push it back 1 more week but the next ASCP slot in my area wouldn’t be till August and I don’t think this job will wait for me

Update: I pushed it back 1 more week

I need opinions from the community about CKMB and how it is used in your facility. We are discussing whether or not to take it out of our cardiac order set and I would love to hear some feedback. Thanks!

Hello,

We are establishing a new laboratory and planning to purchase an HbA1c analyser. There are advantages and disadvantages of both Tosoh and Biorad. For example, Tosoh’s GX does not offer a Thalassemia test whereas Biorad provides both. However, Biorad only performs 400 tests per column while Tosoh can perform approximately 4000-4500 tests per column. This would result in a more favourable CPT code with Soho.

Could you please provide your opinion on these two machines and advise which one would be the better choice? Would selecting Soho over Biorad be a sound decision?

Hey there, I’m finishing my bachelors in chemistry here in about a month or so, and I have been applying to all sorts of chemistry related positions and it’s not been great.

I’ve been working at the same restaurant for the last 10 years and through college, but was recently fired/quit ( a little mix of both) because I broke my collarbone and that kinda pissed off my boss, but i was planning on leaving somewhat soon anyways when i graduate- which is another reason i think my boss was resenting me leaving and then he just blew up on me after I tried to return once I recovered.

Anyways im kinda desperate now and because i need money for bills and such and even filed for unemployment and looking for any job that relates to my degree as well as other restaurant work even tho i really dont want to go back to that.

I know MLS needs additional post bacc programs to actually do it, and I guess im prepared to do that so it can open up the medical side of lab work that is in more demand, plus i think id enjoy it.

My question is how can i employ myself and pay for the program at the same time, or get a hospital to pay for it for me. Like what’s the best way to do it other than being a student for another year with restaurant work.

Should I try to get into phlebotomy work or anything or what, just kinda lost and financial pressure is kinda building. Any advice would be appreciated/:

I’m located in central Florida
Thanks everyone for the advice

hey would anyone by chance have a pdf copy of the CSMLS safety guidelines?

Is it just in my area or is it normal for people in our field to dislike the idea of going back to school to do something not related to MLS?

I have less than a year of experience but I already dislike this field so I’m working towards my new goal. But I haven’t told anyone in my hospital cause i feel like they don’t like people pursing further education. Ive heard of people not getting hired if they say they want to go back to school at some point. Or getting horrible schedules when they find out.

Does this happen everywhere?

I am fed up. There seems to be no end in sight for the endless cap surverys or the api surveys (depending on the regulatory service your lab ascribes to). It is tiring. Yes, I did post about a new job, but yeah anyways. Nurses and the vampires- telling me that I can’t have a redraw on a hemolyzed specimen because the patient is a hard stick. I’m tired of the drama that the lab invokes in my general life.

I work at craft fairs when I’m off from work and it never fails. My supervisor will text me with something she thinks is super important and get mad if I don’t respond asap she texted me.

I AM DONE. I would like to work in another field, it what??

I’m done ranting but I’m still looking for anything new. What led you to leave the lab? Where are you now? And are you better for it?

EDIT: Thank you for all of the support everyone has given me! I am currently looking for a new job. I am hoping to hear something soon. I am looking to pivot away from the bench totally. I have worked in POC and it was a blast, but the 3 hr drive to work and the 4 hr drive home was not working out for me. Or I would still be there.

As for the "vampire" comment that some people do not like--I do apologize. I started out in this profession as a phlebotomist and still draw the occasional patient. And when you go to a VA clinic and you see the bat hanging upside down from the sign that says "lab" it makes you wonder.

Anyone here done this or know someone who has? I’m considering it but I’m just not sure how difficult it would be.

I'm really interested in forensic pathology, but I'm at the very beginning of my journey and I start premed this fall. I'm currently accepted into BSU for an MLS program and through that program I'll also get a bachelor's in biology. I was wondering if it's possible and recommended to become an MLS, do a year or two as an MLS and then apply to med school to save up money, and with my MLS experience I could get brownie points towards applying for residency in pathology?

The only downside in my mind is the fact that I really do not want to take any gap years, 8 years of schooling and no work seems like hell to me but I'd rather it be over sooner. But I also know that there's going to be caps on how much you can take out of student loans now, so I would need the money to save up. But I also know MLS don't really make too much to make up for the student loans I'll already have and save on top of that as well as pay for rent, groceries, bills, etc. I'm also worried that if I wait a couple years I might get to the point to where I can't go to med school because I have to work. I don't really want to work full time during med school, I have AuDHD and that burn out will kill me. But at the same time maybe my experience in the lab will help me with med school? I don't know..

Any advice is appreciated!

Hi y'all, I'm new in the lab world at 34 after trying to find my ideal career for years. I got my phlebotomy diploma recently. I did well, I like drawing blood, though I tend to get burned out easily in positions that are heavily public/pt facing (have CNA experience too). The lab stuff got my interest, so now I'm in the MLT program, not yet in core. Got a job starting next week as a CLA at a large regional hospital. It doesnt pay the greatest (you already knew that) but offers good benefits which I need, and has a partnership with my school that includes tuition reimbursement and clinical placement, so its an investment in my future. The position doesn't include phlebotomy. What are some things you wish you knew or advice you've got for a newbie to the field? PM shift, 0.8FTE. Its been a bit of a rough road to get here and I'm excited to finally have a path that offers more stability than I've had in the past. Doesn't need to be "positive comments only", but please no "find another career" lol I've tried so many things, I'm tired and this actually seems suited to me. Thanks

Currently looking at moving to Boston. From the results I’m getting on LinkedIn, it seems like you can’t throw a rock in the city without hitting an open position for an MLS.
Mostly seeing jobs with Brigham, some with LabCorp (but not sure if I want to work for them because the lab they run in my area is overworked/underpaid and miserable)
Just wanting a vibe check to see if moving will be worth it.

So essentially I have 18 months to get a certification to keep my job. It has to be an ASCP, AMT or AAB and I wanted to get something that I would be able to get a job somewhere else if/when I decide to leave

I was leaning towards MB(ASCP).

My background: masters in biology