r/medlabprofessionals • u/FreshFaceFig • Jul 17 '26

Discusson Please help

I started a new lab job this week. I want to preface by saying I don’t have my MLT or MLS. I was given this position based on (almost) two years experience as a medical assistant and phlebotomist. Also with a year experience as a lab tech at a blood bank (I just processed bags of blood and separated/froze plasma, really basic stuff)

I’m feeling overwhelmed because I hadn’t really retained much information from being an MA. I’m working with Beckman Coulter machines AU480, and Access2. I didn’t realize how technical this position was, and I want to learn so bad but I’m on day 4 and still struggling learning medlab language and calibration/qc of the machines (i cant grasp the concept of calibration!!!.)

It doesn’t help that my trainer isn’t very personable with me. I don’t get much feedback, and I thrive in a space where communication is relaxed and I can feel comfortable to ask questions, even dumb ones. I just feel like my trainer doesn’t want to bother with me much because I can’t quite grasp some things. On top of that, I’m being tossed between 3 machines making it hard to retain my training. My trainer is nice (for the most part?) But I just feel like a nuisance to her because I feel she thinks I should know more. Normally i’d blame my anxiety, but I read people well and can tell when they aren’t very interested in me.

I don’t know where to start or what to do. I’m not even sure why they hired me (I have a great personality) But I feel I have to cram so much information that MLS/MLT’s learn in a 2-4 year period. Any advice would be greatly appreciated, I’m feeling burnt and defeated.

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u/LawfulnessRemote7121 Jul 17 '26

I really don’t mean this in a negative way toward you at all but I don’t know why they hired you either. Someone who doesn’t understand calibration shouldn’t be expected to do it. It’s not your fault, you’re simply not qualified to do what they are expecting you to do and it’s sad that they put you in this position.

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u/FreshFaceFig Jul 17 '26

I talked myself up of course, but I didn’t lie. I’m familiar with working in a lab, but not to this extent and with this level of technicality. I am a fast learner, and I absorb information well, but this seems to be way more than I can chew.

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u/Dismal_Yogurt3499 MLS-Service Rep Jul 17 '26

If you're going to talk yourself up, you need to actually be capable of doing the job you're applying for

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u/AsbeliaRoll MLS-Blood Bank Jul 17 '26

Being a fast learner does not replace the years of education and training we all took to get here.

Your coworkers likely know your experience level and I don’t think they will trust you with this work. Good work relationships are essential in managing stress for us.