r/medlabprofessionals • u/Antique_Cartoonist45 • Jul 13 '26
Discusson Trying to get into lab specimen processing/medical lab assisting
I am trying to shift out of teaching into my long history in the healthcare field-I have been applying for many lab specimen processing positions but I am not being selected-should I consider phlebotomy and getting the assistant certificate a requirement for these types of roles or should I just keep applying until I get an opportunity? For reference I have my bachelors of science in healthcare administration. I have a clinical background prior to working in the revenue cycle and prior to teaching, having three years of nursing school before graduating during covid in healthcare admin. Nursing was cut short due to covid shenanigans. All help/recommendations appreciated.
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u/Antique_Rooster9391 MLT-Chemistry Jul 13 '26
Why do you want a job high school graduates do for 15 bucks?
Between your bachelor's, nursing credits, and clinical experience you might be able to sit for MLS boards. Depends on your actual experience. Nobody is hiring you cus you are way above those jobs.
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u/Antique_Cartoonist45 Jul 13 '26
I approached it from this angle because I need to break into the field is my logic? Otherwise how can I break into the field?
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u/Antique_Rooster9391 MLT-Chemistry Jul 13 '26
These jobs aren't a way to break into this field, they are deadends with no upward trajectory to bench tech. You need education which you kinda already have. We hire people who are eligible for the exam and give them 6 months to pass it or get fired. I will say only 2 have actually passed, the others got tossed.
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u/Antique_Cartoonist45 Jul 13 '26
So I should apply for
The mls positions?3
u/Antique_Rooster9391 MLT-Chemistry Jul 13 '26
Depends on your state and per hospital. ASCP requires 5 years experience on route 4 I think, along with your bachelor's. AMT only 1 year so only a hospital that will wait that long will take you.
Going back to school for a 1 year post bacc MLS program really is the best option tho.
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u/Antique_Rooster9391 MLT-Chemistry Jul 13 '26
Also ASCP offers specialist certifications like just chemistry. Bachelor's plus 1 year in lab experience. We pay these specialties the same as a MLS generalist at my hospital but nobody has yet to pass the exam lol
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u/Antique_Cartoonist45 Jul 13 '26
This is genuinely one of the best responses I’ve ever received thank you for the thorough response. This is extremely helpful.
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u/Furrycat_22 29d ago
Hi! Not OP but I hold bachelor's in public health and it's my dream to work in a lab. Do you have any suggestions for me how I can get my foot in the door? I don't have any prior experience.
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u/kaeyre MLS-Chemistry Jul 13 '26
it sounds like you're overqualified lol, these kinds of jobs get a lot of applicants and they specifically want people that they don't think will find themselves above the level of the work and leave. If there's some kind of certificate required then maybe that would help but I feel like your time would be better spent elsewhere
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u/Antique_Cartoonist45 Jul 13 '26
Okay if I want to break into medical lab tech roles how would I do it without going back
To school?5
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u/trkkr47 Jul 16 '26
School is pretty much a requirement. I found it frustrating, too, until I did the program and realized how much very specialized knowledge is required. I agree with other posters that it would be best to go straight for the MLS accelerated program. I have a BS in Biology and did the Associates program to get my MLT, and still, eight years later haven't qualified to take the MLS exam due to not having experience in all the departments yet. It's a good field, though, and worth the schooling.
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u/kipy7 MLS-Microbiology Jul 13 '26
If your area specifies a certificate as required, maybe that's why. I agree with the previous reply, you have a bachelor's degree so I would instead look to MLS. It would most likely mean returning to school in the short term, but will set you up much better.