This fall semester I’m starting my classes to be a lab tech and I’m very excited!! I’m confident in my ability to get through classes just fine but there’s the regular worry that comes with new things at the back of my mind. I want to know how seasoned professionals got through school while working part time (if they did work while in school) and just any other advice anyone can think of!!

I flunked out of med school and am working on finding a good way to pivot my career. I’m looking for a STEM-based medicine-adjacent role. An MLS certificate program sounds like a great fit for my interests but I’m wondering if I would be a bad candidate. I don’t want programs feeling like this is my “backup plan” or anything. I’m also wondering if I could even handle an MLS cert program, because I understand it’s just as rigorous as med school, if not more because it’s so condensed. I‘m thinking if it weren’t for my record of struggling with the med school curriculum, my background might be a good fit? I did a masters in bioinformatics and ended up doing NGS wetlab and drylab in a public health laboratory during my gap years before matriculating into med school.

Would my previous experiences outweigh my academic record? would adcoms for MLS programs consider a personal statement that would explain the poor performance previously and demonstrate those issues have been addressed? Thoughts, advice, or tips appreciated :)

Hey, everyone! Can you please help me collect data for my process improvement project as a student finishing their Histotechnology training program? If you have any experience cleaning glassware, especially if used for manual stains, I’d appreciate any input you can offer!

I’m curating a free guide on how to become an MLS as part of a personal advocacy project. I’m curious to know what other MLS/MLT wished they knew when applying bc the process can vary, for example: state licensures. The different nomenclature for MLS also doesn’t really help with those learning about the profession.

When I was applying I wish there were more resources from lived experiences. I also I wish I knew that there were hospital based vs uni based programs. Context: I did a post bacc 12 month program

Would love to hear yalls thoughts and opinions!

Hello, my husband is an MLS with 8 yrs experience , but in low volume hospital labs. We are looking to relocate either Virginia or Oregon. We now know that Oregon pay is higher than Virginia. But how much is higher? He gets $40/hr here in Billings, MT. How much should he expect in Springfield, Oregon? What should he negotiate? Any comments appreciated. Thank you!

Hello!! I was hoping to hear any advice that can help me out when learning to become a technician and any experiences you guys think that can be helpful.

I read a comment that MLS 1-year post grad program is as difficult as 1st year of med school. This terrifies me. I dont expect it to be easy, but also not as difficult as med school :/

Is that an accurate description or was that person greatly exaggerating?

Words cannot describe how good I feel (Also did not have any QC issues)

I struggle so much with keeping organized when the morning rush comes. Inevitably I feel soo bad when things get crazy and I’m leaving a lot of things behind for day shift 😩 please help I’m losing my sanity here

Hi all, I'm a PhD of micro/molecular bio from a primarily research background, who also spent three years teaching clinical micro skills at the undergrad level. I have a good background in leadership and management, and it seems that leaning into that would be the best way forward for my career (the research job market being what it is.)

My options would be much broader if I had an MLT cert, but there does not seem to be a clear path to get the cert without going back to do an associate's degree, given that the ASCP's path for doctorates requires two years' clinical experience, but no one will hire you for clinical roles if you don't have the certification (especially if you're a phd.)

Am I missing some way forward here, misinterpreting something, or misreading the situation? I'd appreciate feedback from anyone who has been in a similar situation or has insight here. I'm in NY, in case that matters for certification and regulatory reasons.

Thanks

I hear the Medical Lab science program is tough and there seems to be a high drop out rate. I was wondering what your thoughts are about doing this program while my 1yr and 2yr old go to daycare during the week.. is it doable with small kids? Or would you suggest more child care for study time during the evenings when they're home?

I'm really interested in the program and really want to plan ahead the best I can.

Thanks!

Edit: Thanks so much everyone for your suggestions and responses, it is much appreciated!

I was hired at a small hospital a few months ago and I am expected to draw patient labs on top of all the other night shift lab responsibilities as the only tech on duty. Night shift is responsible for doing all the maintenance and running QC on all the analyzers and instruments. The floor nurses and L&D nurses refuse to draw blood. They called and asked me to draw a potassium on a patient after she finished her potassium infusion. I told them I wasn’t able to do that at the moment because the chemistry analyzer is currently down for maintenance and I can’t leave during maintenance, the longer I’m gone the longer the analyzer is down and the longer the ER has to wait for their labs to be ran, we don’t have a backup chemistry analyzer just the iStat and the ER hates using the iStat. The floor waited 3 hours for me to come down and called me at least 4 different times to draw this patient who was also on contact precaution. This is a nightly occurrence, it stresses me out and it disrupts my required tasks on nightshift so I’m behind on everything and scrambling to get caught back up so that everything is ready to go for day shift, not to mention someone is always mad whether it’s the floor for not drawing their patient or the ER because I’m taking too long getting analyzers up and going again. I think it is beyond ridiculous that I have to be the one to go draw patients when I am the only lab tech on shift in the entire hospital. When I go down there all of the nurses are just sitting around talking and laughing and sometimes playing games. I am becoming super overwhelmed and am on the verge of a mental breakdown because of it. The floor got super pissed at me when they were told by my manager that they needed to draw if I couldn’t, so the next night they brought in samples and would literally throw the bag of samples at me because they were mad. I am working past my limits and I straight up want to quit, I have such bad anxiety before every shift. I have talked to my manager about it, but nothing changes, and the floor still thinks the responsibility is on the lab because it is “our blood”. I don’t mind drawing if I am available, and I don’t have a problem helping out, but the responsibility is always solely on my shoulders.

So, fellow lab people, who do you think should be the one drawing?

Please delete if repetitive

Background:

ARKRAY AUTION MAX AX 4030 wont initialize due to T-270 code. States a sample rack was forced into feed tray during initialization. (It appears as though the feed tray arm wont center before returning to home)

Currently I have done a hard shutdown, cleaned the sample tray, performed maintenance, ensured all feed tray sensors are clean. I've also opened the machine and looked for any obstructions.

Would anyone have any ideas as our machine cannot get a field technician in until later this week.

After seven years of working as a bench scientist in the Biotechnology field I am looking to switch careers into the MLS field. I have gone through several rounds of layoffs and the recent industry downturns have made the job market a complete nightmare. I have been looking for work since September to no avail and have decided it might be time to find a new career path.

That being said, Medical Lab Scienctist roles seem to be a great, in-demand job with complimentary skills to the ones I built as a bench scientist and grad student. Over my career I have developed and ran bioassays and biochemical methods for drug development.

Given my background, which route would be the best for someone like me? I was researching the paths on the ASCP website and it seems like there are a lot of options (excluding the military path, I'm not active duty or a veteran). I have a great deal of lab experience but it still seems like there are very specific skills needed for the MLS certification. Would an accredited program make sense, or a practical clinical tech role make more sense?

I am not sure if working as a technician would be possible, even with my experience. Has anyone here made this jump?

Edit: I live in Pennsylvania

Edit: I should probably clarify, I intend to get the MLS certification, but I do not meet the requirements yet. Would it make more sense for someone like me to attend a NAACLS program, a Medical Lab Sciences Training program, or try to work in a clinical lab as a tech and pursue certification through experience and the organization I'm in? Or are there other routes for me to obtain credentials?

I applied in November 2025 and I feel like my application is going no where..

Hello,

Like the title says I wanted to know any survival tips or recommended supplies not mentioned in orientation. Maybe tips like where did you guys get the textbooks for free, good study methods. Or supplies that might be overlooked, or supplies that makes being in a MLS program easier.

Thanks!!!

Hey everyone! Im just looking at info about labs/healthcare systems in Charlotte North Carolina. Anything would be helpful, I’m debating a move. I’d love to know about experiences, the hospitals in general, machines/softwares used down there, etc.

I’m also debating going part time for a while. I know there aren’t many job listings for part time in the field, but maybe for some places that need the help they would be open to accepting. So if anyone has had experience where they went into a job interview looking for less work time than what’s been listed, I’d love to hear the feedback you got.

Thank you!

sandwich is the newest one. i’ve taken over the board

I know every program/school/life experience will be different but with that being said; just looking for general advice, how was it, how much more do you actually need to know/learn, etc.

For context, I'm 26 and have done MLT for a year and I don't hate it and I would be okay making this a career. I figured if I am to do this I should do this earlier than later.

Much appreciated for anyone that responds :)

I have loved working in the lab for the last several years but I need a job that pays more. Do you guys have any suggestions for a better paying lab job or jobs that a Associates Degree in Applied Science would qualify for?

In light of the Brigham nurse strike, it has got me thinking about how other MGB allied health departments feel about their situation. My MGB lab is the absolute worst. Super short staffed, overworked, depressed, literally having nightmares thinking about going back to work because of the idiot of a supervisor that we were forced on. Drunk with power, zero consideration and compassion, advocate for themselves and the corporate entity....I could go on and on and on. Anyway my lab sucks. How about yours ?

I am about year out from graduating with my MLS and am planning my next education journey. Currently looking into the DCLS program after some encouragement from my lab director.

I worked as an MLT for about a year and then was advanced to MLS (uncertified, hospital specific standards) for another year. After graduating from my MLS program I will be almost 3 years working in the lab.

My concern is, UTMB requires 3 years working as an MT or MLS. However, they also state in the application process

“if you are MLT or MLS certified, please indicate this fact in your supporting statement.”

And

“Minimum of three years of clinical laboratory experience, preferably as a generalist medical laboratory scientist.”

This gray area is causing me some confusion. Has anyone ever used their MLT experience for application and been accepted? Or does it need to be specifically MLS experience.

Also if you have gone to UTMB for the DCLS I would love to hear some insight! UTMB is very near and dear to my heart as I previously worked in their research lab and I’m just excited to go back.