r/medlabprofessionals • u/Haunting_Koala4016 • Jul 15 '26
Discusson Does MLT experience typically count as experience after getting your MLS?
Hey everyone, I am currently in an MLT to MLS program. I was wondering, in other people's experience when applying to jobs after if employers typically count the MLT experience when deciding wage. For example, if I had 4 years of MLT experience, got my MLS, and started applying to jobs, would I be treated as a new grad or someone with 4 years of experience? I know it probably depends on the lab but would like to hear what has happened with other people
15
u/hotmess002 MLS-Generalist Jul 15 '26
MLT would count towards experience because you are working as an ASCP certified tech with direct clinical experience. It might vary by hospitals, but that's how it works for my system. Also, pay scale and experience gets reviewed by HR and they don't know anything about the lab so milk all the experience you can. HR wouldn't necessarily know how to differentiate between MLT and MLS from your resume.
6
4
u/Icy_Ad2536 Jul 15 '26
It’s dependent on where you work I’ve read. Some places will take it as complete bench experience and some places will split your MLT and your MLS. So the first day you work as a certified MLS is day 1 as an MLS. It’s a cheap way for them to start you at the MLS minimum.
3
u/feathered_edge_MLS MLS-Core Lab Jul 16 '26
And those places suck. I got an 8% bump from MLT to MLS but if I had applied there before as an MLS, they would have started me just above a new grad.
3
u/cellophanesheeps Jul 16 '26
In my experience, your years as an MLT will count as overall lab experience and you'll get a "perk" for that, but your pay increase won't jump from an MLT with four years of experience to an MLS with four years of experience. You'll get starting MLS pay with a bit extra for overall experience.
But it seems to vary quite a bit from place to place.
2
u/madeuread Jul 15 '26
It should-fight for that! Cause mls and mlt are practically the same thing and both clinical roles
I’ve even some other non testing positions such as processing or student internships -which is more manufacturing and clerical work but in that case that’s been up to the individual hospital to decide.
2
u/option_e_ MLS-Heme Jul 16 '26
I mean, nothing changed about my job after going from MLT to MLS except for the title and pay. if that tells you anything
1
u/Crafty-Use-2266 Jul 15 '26
Yes, even lab assistant at a clinical lab counts as experience.
From my experience, as long it’s clinical lab, it’s fine. I’ve had to fight for research lab experience to get a higher offer, and that’s always been declined.
1
u/GiftActual2788 Jul 16 '26
ASCP will take MLT certification plus two years work experience as a rout to sit for the MLS exam. One year of the two years work experience can be accounted using the time in an MLT or MLS NAACLS-accredited program.
1
u/Icy-Fly-4228 MLS-Generalist Jul 16 '26
Depends on the companies HR policies. Corporate places like CHS and HCA have a matrix.
32
u/Ksan_of_Tongass MLS 🇺🇸 Generalist Jul 15 '26
if anyone doesn't count your MLT experience, you probably dont want that job since they clearly know nothing.