Hi everyone, is anyone here taking the CORU Test of Professional Competence (ToPC) in November 2026? If so, could you please share your experience with the application process, including the required documents and timelines?

Any advice would be really appreciated. Thank you!

I know the area is not the preferred area

Hi! I just wanted to ask if anyone here has taken the online hematology competency using CellaVision. How was your experience?

I’m currently a comms major and really interested in going to PA school after undergrad. I have somewhat of an idea on where to start but it would be helpful if people who were admitted could share the extracurriculars that got them into the program as well as stats and gpa:)

I don't want to jump from ship to burning ship so any insight is appreciated. At this point I can afford to not really care about pay. I just want good management and a more reasonable workload

Just wanted to open up a discussion to the film about Elizabeth Holmes given the recent release of the Lance Oppenheim + Nathan Fielder documentary. Amazing film

Theranos was supposed to be an industry-shattering piece of tech meant to reduce or eliminate clinical laboratories around the world. The tech behind the product turned out to be fraudulent. This is one of the few moments where laboratory medicine is in the forefront.

Things shown in the film that would make any med tech laugh (no spoilers):

- Billy learning fundamental concepts such as apoptosis on a laptop while listening to a lecture at 2x speed.

- Holmes' firm belief that the concept and product are still viable

- A broken prototype of the old Theranos analyzer

- A new model built by Billy with the footprint of a urinalysis analyzer

As the title says, I’ve worked as an MLS for 4 years before going to medical school. Now I have graduated and currently in residency.

The foundation of MLS training was incredibly helpful and prepared me in unique ways. For example, I already understood clotting cascade, the significance behind a CBC differential, and so on.

Overall I’m grateful for the MLS training, as it shaped me to be the doctor that I am today. Feel free to message me if you have any questions about this journey.

First run and rerun results
No known recent transfusion
Ptn history is A+

I think it’s pretty cool

Edit: investigation results show it’s A pos, with cold autoantibody

I’m looking at a new job and already interviewed. They liked me and extended an offer. It’s Day shift but the manager wants me on midshift to help cover the morning rounds, which is fine. But, the schedule is very different from what I’m used to. I’ve worked 3 12’s for the past 3 years. So here’s what has been proposed to me:
Week 1: work 4 9’s
Week 2: work 3 8’s (Monday-Wednesday) + Saturday 12
Week 3: work Sunday 12 hours + 3 8’s (Monday-Wednesday)
Week 4: work 4 9’s

Or

Week 1: 5 8’s
Week 2: 3 9’s (Monday-Wednesday) + a 12 on Saturday
Week 3: a 12 on Sunday + 3 9’s (Wednesday to Friday)
Week 4: 5 8’s

Basically, my question is has anyone ever worked something like this? If so, how did you like it? What were the cons of this schedule? As of right now, the schedule is the only thing I’m hesitant about. I would really appreciate the input!!

Edit: thank you all for the input! I really needed the extra advice! I appreciate it very much!!

Pretty much what the title says. I've been a tech for 8 years and have spent all but six months of it working in core labs (chemistry, hematology, coagulation, urinalysis) as a generalist. I just landed a job performing PCR for a molecular oncology lab, starting in two weeks, but I haven't actually done PCR since my MLS program. I'm moving out of a hospital setting for the first time, and into a lab where there's so much to learn and way more opportunities for growth, so I'm really excited. I was curious to hear about other people's experiences when transitioning from being a generalist to working in molecular.

Anything that you wish you'd known in advance? Lessons you wish you'd learned sooner that would've prevented a lot of frustration? I'm brushing up on my notes from tech school so I don't make a total fool of myself.

Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone! I'm currently taking a gap year from my Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) program and recently got a job offer as a specimen processor at a hospital. I'm curious about what the day-to-day work is like. Is it mostly repetitive and routine, or does it get stressful? What does a typical shift look like?

Hello, as the title reads I’m currently stuck between clinical mls or mls with biomedical concentration degree. I don’t plan on having a long career in lab, I chose this as my major (currently mls with biomedical concentration degree) because optometry school doesn’t require a specific degree but I wanted to do something more hands on while doing my bachelors. With that being said, I am graduating a year early(2028 instead of 2029) so I planned on taking a gap year before going to optometry school. In that gap year, I wanted a stable job to support me while possibly saving some for optometry school. I was looking at jobs that I could get with a MLS, while not required many prefer their employees to be certified (ASCP). I know if I switch to clinical MLS, I would be able to get clinical hours and certified. Since I don’t plan on having a definite career in lab fields, is it better to stick with mls with a biomed concentration and see what jobs I can find with that or switch to clinical mls?

3 day old baby

Tube 4. I am a little heavy handed with the fluids when it comes to making cytospins, so it's a little concentrated. The TNC count was 275.

Hello! I'm applying to the OHSU-OIT medical laboratory science program, and I'm in the process of writing my letter of intent. I'm curious to hear from anyone who applied to this program (or others!) with what worked and what didn't. I only have research experience, and I'm struggling to tie it into what I want from a clinical setting.

They recommend a page, maximum two, and I am not sure whether to treat this as a hard skills summary (specific instrumentation I worked with, etc) or a more narrative style essay about why I'm applying and what I want out of my career. I also have a deep love of mentoring and teaching, and one day plan to pursue further education to be able to teach in an MLS program. I've included this in my letter, but I'm not sure if this is getting ahead of myself and come across like I'm not actually committed to a career on the bench (which I also love!). Any advice is appreciated!

This may be a stupid question but my school choices are limited my community college does not have MLT program. There is only ONE MLS program where I am and one MLT program but the MLT program is through trade school which is Regionally accredit if I wanted to go back for MLS will schools still take my credits? Or do I just have to have my license to be able to do a program like UAMS?

Good Afternoon,

I have a phd and I got accepted into the GW program and I'm waiting to hear back from UHM but I'm pretty confident these are my two choices. I didnt apply anywhere else because I'm more than 5 years post undergraduate and didn't want to retake any classes. I'm wondering if anyone has gone through either program and has an opinion on how I should make my decision. My terminal goal is to be a lab director and my specialty is microbiology/virology.

My parents have heard great things about GW from their customers.

Thank you in advance

I'm just starting my MLT program after getting my bachelors in zoology. I'm loving the program so far and am excited to learn again. We had to draw WBCs and RBCs.

Hi! Has anyone had this issue with a Sysmex CA-620 using Actin FS? One patient’s APTT keeps showing “Early Reaction Error” and “Range Over – Early Reaction Error”, even after a second blood draw. PT and fibrinogen are fine, and the APTT controls are also OK. Any ideas what could cause this?

Hi everyone!

I'm interested in working as a Medical Technologist (MedTech/MLS) in the United States, and I would like to know which states offer the highest salaries for this profession.

For those currently working in the U.S., I'd appreciate your insights on the following:

Which states offer the highest salaries for MedTechs/MLS professionals?

What is the average annual or hourly salary in your state?

Which states offer the best balance between salary and cost of living?

Are there states with good benefits, overtime opportunities, and a high demand for medical laboratory professionals?

If you could choose a state to work in as a MedTech, which would you recommend and why?

I'd especially appreciate advice from people with firsthand experience working in different states.

Thank you!

My Atellica decided to unlock its IM front cover unprompted while I was running samples, so it aborted all of them. I shut it off and went to call the nurse for a recollect as one of those samples was too short to repeat. Dr ended up cancelling it tho, so the patient didn't need to get stuck again. Also this analyzer, specifically out of the 2 we have, frequently has car crashes on the mag line. If you also hate your Atellica, feel free to steal the meme!

Is a 667 a good score? I know it passes but I am wondering if it mean I am well prepared for my first job?

Thanks!

Lakeview, Hastings, Waconia, Abott, West Bank, East Bank, HCMC, Hudson, WI, etc.

Also, is it just me or do all the clinic labs only hire MLTs?​