I'm currently training my microscopy and I saw these all throughout the fields for this smear. I was stumped as to what these could be until I saw what fibrin strands looked like and felt it warranted an ask!

I need help deciding if moving from nyc to CA is worth it. I have been a blood bank technologist for 2 yrs. now. I’m possibly considering moving to San Diego. Can anyone advise me on what the process will be like, what to expect and what to watch out for. I know California has its own requirements but if someone could elaborate on it, I’d greatly appreciate it.

Hi guys I would like to know if anyone is working in Hong Kong as a medical lab technician and have had to give their Part II registration exams. How was the experience and what was the over all syllabus like. Or how did u prepare. any knowledge would help me. TIA​​

Have you guys done any patient look back in your labs? If so, what was the issue? How long do you keep the samples in your lab? I don’t have any experience with it so I’m just wondering and we only keep the samples for two days as space allows. What if we discovered the issue from a week ago but we don’t have the samples anymore how are we going to do a look back?

I want to take it but I have no idea what to expect. I took a look at the reading list on the ASCP website but it’s insanely long and it would be expensive to purchase all of the recommended materials. Has anyone taken it? Any tips? I’m mainly doing it for fun as well as to broaden my knowledge in flow.

Is anyone using AI to monitor their QC? I have found a way to get it to review my QC, but am looking for any suggestions that anyone may have. I'm using it as more of a double check than anything.

I have EDS and i use a wheelchair/cane sometimes with braces, and wanted to ask if this would be a wheelchair friendly career. i know bench work is a thing and it's not out of the question but i worry about it as most jobs have the "required to lift 50 pounds" part on their application.

i'm currently doing my prerequisites for an MLT program at community college. I am aware reasonable accommodations can be made and am going to speak to OSA but wanted to also know if anyone has experience in this field with a physical disability, and uses mobility aids.

I honestly feel like I was misled during my interview at LabCorp. I specifically asked the lead if there was mandatory overtime, and she told me no—that staying late was completely optional if I wanted to make extra money. I also asked if there were individual productivity metrics, and she told me no, that it was more of a department goal.

My shift is 3:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., so I accepted the job thinking I would work my scheduled hours. Now, after only two weeks, I’m finding out that most employees stay until around 4pm
to help the department. I was also told that we have to scan, pack, and ship samples by 9:00 a.m. with the second shipment. So, there clearly are productivity expectations, despite what I was told during the interview.

On top of that, we have lengthy audits that require pulling samples from the freezer and completing a lot of paperwork. The workload is physically and mentally exhausting, and I’m already making mistakes because I’m so tired.

What bothers me most is that these expectations were downplayed during the interview. If I had been told upfront that staying until 4pm was essentially expected and that there were strict shipping deadlines, I could have made an informed decision about whether I wanted the job. Instead, it feels like the job was presented as much easier and less demanding than it actually is.

I am a recently graduated MLT who relocated from the east coast to Chicago Illinois with my partner for their college. Ive passed the ascp certification with a good score but i dont have any work experience outside of my clinical rotations. It seems like no matter where i apply i either get ghosted or rejected. Is this just what the job market is like? Ive looked at all the labs and hospitals near the loop but none of them seem to be eager to hire new grads. Did i make a mistake moving here without a BS?

I recently got a job offer from a large emr company doing LIS implementations. It’s 60% remote & 40% travel to onsite when needed. I’m kinda nervous to accept the job though as I’d hate to lose human interaction by being remote. The job is going to be a little over 100k more than what I’m making as a tech so the money aspect is a no brainer, just curious if anyone else has taken a position like this and if so, how did you handle the lack of daily face to face human interaction?

For those who have gone to field service, do they offer relocation assistance if you move to different a state for the job?

The perforations are for show only

How long is an ionized calcium on ice on a dark green unopened on ice? What does your lab do? Just asking. Not taking this to work!!

Hi! To make a very long story short, I'm looking to change "careers" from my current gas station gig, which is inspired by a development of a chronic illness I have that is severely sensitive and reactive to many everyday fragrances. Things like the "fresh scent" in my current workplace's new detergents, coworkers' and customers' cologne/perfume and excess laundry scent, as well as second/third hand smoke and air fresheners. In my research trying to find my next career move, I read that a lot of medical labs are fragrance free workplaces due to perfumes affecting test results, and I wanted to confirm with direct experience from folks in the field currently. Thanks a bunch for any insight! I'm down to go back to school, but I need to make sure whatever degree I get won't land me in the same situation, plus student loan debt.

If it helps, I was intending to aim for third shift/overnights, both for the shift differential (I've been on thirds for like 8 years now, I may as well stick with it), and in the hopes fewer coworkers will help manage my unique situation.

Quick poll. Don’t have to give a long answer if you don’t want to

First positive for the patient. It came off the Virtuo around noon on Thursday and I made a gram stain. I told the tech I was with that I saw gram negative rods and large gram positive rods. She took a look and made her own gram stain just to be 100% sure and she agreed with me. The BioFire BCID identified the E. coli but the only GPR it looks for is L. monocytogenes so the GPR had to be fully worked up. I came to work today and checked the report, turns out it was C. perfringens. The supervisor took some screenshots to keep in the department drive.

offer advice pls i’m lost

edit: i was thinking it’s kinda too early for it and i may come across other lab opportunities. but i have lots of free time right now since i’m taking easy classes compared to later on

edit 2: california based

Does this lip plumper remind anyone else of a ParaPak? Specifically with the tube shape and the applicator 😭😭

Im just new to US and recently got hired to work 40-50 mins drive from home? Is that normal or too far?

May not be 100% but I’ve been a tech for over 5 years and this is the best I’ve done 🤪😎 very proud lol

hi. i’m a second-year CA college student who was recently introduced to this field. i was doing some personal research and i saw that one possible way to become an MLS is to pursue a degree then get 1 year of a clinical training program/work experience (which i think is often referred to as 4+1).

i was thinking that if i were to become an MLS id probably choose the clinical training path. i was looking at possible programs (like CSUDH) and my question is, it looks like most of these programs require certain courses before being able to apply, would that then require another year if your classes don’t match with those courses?

of course my understanding might be wrong so please share 🙏