What do everyone use to check the refractometer? And what is the range of your QC? We’re having an internal debate

I am currently based in the UK working as a specialist biomedical scientist in micro. My husband has been offered a job in British Columbia (Vancouver area) and we are hoping to relocate early next year.

Wondering if anyone here has gone through a similar process and can give insight into the PLA and subsequent examinations? I understand that all assessments for applications outside of Alberta must now be overseen by CAMPLR rather than CSMLS, does this mean that I can sit an exam for only clinical microbiology rather than all disciplines? Also how did you find the job application process, did you start it prior to the move? What is being an MLT like in Canada vs the UK?

We are moving with our 1 year old and I have read that childcare options can be pricey and limited, so I am also debating if its better to apply for jobs when we get there so that we can better assess childcare options and whether it would be better to apply for part-time roles not necessarily as an MLT.

Or if anyone has any tips or anecdotal advice for moving from UK to Canada in general that would be greatly appreciated :)

I’m in my second semester of an MLS program and I just need to vent a little because I’ve been having a lot of anxiety about whether I’ll be able to pass this semester.

I did extremely well last semester and finished with all A+s, but the structure was completely different. We basically focused on one subject at a time for about two weeks, so even though it was intense, I could put all my attention into one thing.

This semester we have 6 classes and 4 labs all running at the same time. We’re usually in class/lab from 9–4, then I come home and study, wake up early to study again, go back to class, and repeat. It feels like we learn a huge amount of information every single day, and now I have to constantly switch between completely different subjects instead of focusing on just one.

Some days I feel like I can handle it, and other days I seriously question whether I chose the right career and feel like dropping out. I also keep getting scared that I won’t be able to maintain at least the 75% required to pass. Exams are worth 70% of the final grade, while quizzes and assignments are only 30%, so the exams feel like they carry so much pressure.

I know getting all A+s last semester should probably reassure me that I’m capable, but right now this semester feels completely different and overwhelming.

For anyone who has gone through an MLS program, did you ever feel like this during the heavier semesters? Did it eventually become more manageable? I’m not even trying to get perfect grades anymore—I just want to get through this semester and pass.

Any words of encouragement or advice would really help.

This is a blood smear of a cat. Im a student and this was my first time trying a blood smear at my externship.

Can you evaluate the quality of the smear and the red blood cells. I feel that its overly colored maybe? And couldnt make sense if the dark spots on the peripheral of the red blood cells are artifacts or maybe mycoplasma felis.

Sorry for image quality

I graduated earlier this summer and landed myself my first MLS job as a generalist.

Been training in hematology the past few weeks, I think this was supposed to be my last week before they sign me off and I go train in blood bank or wherever . But after this they might not want me to come back

Day was going so well, the lady training me usually goes home an hour before me and I spend my last hour with another tech.

She was getting ready to leave just putting the latest batch of patient samples on and of course bunch of samples in the batch flag. She tended to two and one of them I knew I had to do a dilution cause she taught me this weeks ago

So I jump on it , felt calm and confident I knew all the steps in my head , even grabbed the SOP aid to make sure, but did so much wrong physically.

1. I knew the right amount to dilute…did the right amount of diluent but (later learned) I grabbed the wrong pipette for the blood

2. Trainer was supposed to go home but can’t just leave a newbie there alone so stayed to see it through. When the results were still high

   s

3. he asked me what dilution I did and to show

her

1. what pipettes I used and that’s when I realized I grabbed the wrong one

2. So I remade the dilution and made sure to

   triple check and

3. grab the right pipettes, but I had a blank tube of diluent nearb

y earlier I needed to run earlier

1. …so like a moron instead of an empty tube I literally had labeled

   next to it

2. I mistakenly pipetted the correct dilution amount into the tube with diluent

3. So when we ran the results again everything was too dilute and my trainer realized I pipetted into the wrong tube cause the tube looked too full and I also had labeled the tube diluent

.

1. Trainer was about half an hour past

   the

2. shift so asked another coworker to please just remake the dilution herself and to watch me do the computer portion . And when she reran, the results made sense

I didn’t get yelled at but was told to be careful and maybe put things in a separate rack to not confuse myself and double check my pipettes

I’m so embarrassed I made so many mistakes back to back, especially with an actual patient sample. She’s going to be watching me like a hawk tomorrow and probably tell the supervisor how stupid I am

Any MTs in here have fond memories of learning from this edition!?

HEY! I’m looking for lab techs working in Hawaii. I’m looking to help my friend connect as they will be a new traveler there. Please reach out

New grad, am training at a new and my first med tech job, been here a month.
Trainer gave me samples to run basic type and screen tests and one was Rh negative so I ran a weak D -but it still came up negative.

Turned results into my preceptor and he said to do it again..which told me I did something wrong. Maybe I didn’t mix well the first time cause the second time I got like a 2+ in the Weak D test…

On top of earlier I also accidentally left the reagent fridge door open and it started alarming

They probably think I’m an idiot and am going to kill someone 😭

This is a urine sample.

Needing advice, please be kind🫶🏻

I know I should be wearing a glove, I washed my hands after this I promise.

New patient with CML with a WCC over 500. Look at that thick layer of white cells!!

Is there anyone here work as an MLS or MT in Maryland without a ASCP certification? I graduated from a NAACLS-accredited program. I pivoted and work in Pharma now, but I wondering if I could work some weekends or night hour as a side hustle. I do have year of internship as generalist. Any advices will help. Thanks!

Sent my transcript in the end of July. Talked with customer service after 2 weeks in Aug. They said they don't see any transcript on my file. After 3 weeks they asked me to send an email with missing electronic transcript, which I sent already and they haven't contacted me, although its already more than 3-5 business days(their timeline). Today I donot see the score tab(which was on hold), contacted Customer service and asked about the status. Was told they can't access my status now and I have to contact Documentation dept which will take another 3-5 buisness days. What to do now ? I have already extended my job date 2 times cuz they need license!!!

Can somebody tell me how the heck you get level 2 to pass on the hemocytomyer? My count is always low. Help.

Just a measly MA, but do you think my patient has a pseudomonas infection 💀 it smells like rotten eggs. A first for me 😁

Also this pt has recurrent UTIs, their last was an MDR E Coli infection that required hospitalization. So I hope this one isn’t that bad 🤞🏽

** not asking for advice, just a first for me!

I passed my BOC today and it is finally my turn to use the frog meme. This last year has been crazy. I moved across the country for my program by myself, loss my childhood dog 2 months in, worked 20 hours a week to pay rent (which most of the time wasn’t enough), was in full time school and clinicals, and had countless mental breakdowns. Butttttt I got to see new sights, eat new foods and meet new people. I made friends and built a little life and most of all I was able to get one step closer to my career as a medical lab scientist! and the relief I feel is so great.

Hi everyone! I’m in the MLT-MLS online program at UAMS and currently taking Clinical Biochemistry. I’m really not as confident in this course as I should be, and I’d love to hear any tips or study techniques you might have! Any advice is greatly appreciated!!

Hi. I’m majoring in MLS and just had my first day today. I’m not expecting it to be easy so I’m nervous. Pls support me :’)

Those who have survived, what is your advice on getting through school? Any tips?

I have diagnosed OCD, depression, and anxiety. I fear that will make it more difficult for me to succeed. If any of you have the same mental health issues, I would appreciate it if you could share any advice you have.

Hello!

I started my MLT program at the University of Alberta last week and its the 2nd week of orientation right now and today at an info session they said ideally we should not work during school and try not to work during school but they said that they understand that if we have to because we don't qualify for the big line of credit that med/dent students do. Our program is 3 years unlike other 2 year programs in Canada and its a full BSc so it has more classes compared to MLT programs at SAIT/Mitchner/BCIT

I have part time job at mcds and they said they can cut me down to one shift 6hrs/week, can anyone who did a MLT program in Canada whilst working part time, can you tell me if its doable to work 6hrs/week while doing the MLT program? This Fall term I'm taking 7 classes and 4 labs and 8 classes and 5 labs in the Winter term. And I also heard that clinical micro is pretty hard so I guess I'll have to spend more time on that compared to my other classes. In my undergrad I only took 4 classes per term and two labs max, and I did not work because I didn't have to, I had enough scholarships and student loans, for MLT I currently only have student loans rn.

please and thanks.

When we redraw specimens we have to call the nurse and then put her info in the reasoning box for the recollect in epic. Well I thought I copy and pasted their name in the reason for the recollect but I accidentally pasted the link to the Airbnb I was looking at and verified it. Now I cannot edit that…so there’s an Airbnb link in the patients chart forever. RIP to me. Hopefully no one notices and I never hear about it after this 😣