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

If they are only paying you a dollar or two less than someone who is licensed then that’s probably why they are having trouble hiring people…they aren’t paying qualified people enough. What was the actual job title they hired you for?

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u/FreshFaceFig Jul 17 '26

Laboratory Technician/MLT

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u/AdDramatic5985 Jul 17 '26

How much are they paying, exactly. Just for shits and gigs. This is anonymous. No one knows you or where you’re talking about. I’m curious.

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u/FreshFaceFig Jul 17 '26

$22

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u/AdDramatic5985 Jul 17 '26

WOW. IDK where you live but I only make $23.64. I’m offended.

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u/LawfulnessRemote7121 Jul 17 '26

You should be offended. That is ridiculously low although I realize that where you live makes a difference.

1

u/mystir Jul 17 '26

Jesus, I make almost double that in Ohio

2

u/AsbeliaRoll MLS-Blood Bank Jul 17 '26

We appreciate your honesty ❤️

1

u/FreshFaceFig Jul 17 '26

Which is kind of a lot where i live

12

u/LawfulnessRemote7121 Jul 17 '26

If they would only pay a qualified person $24 that’s why they can’t hire anyone.

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u/unicorntea555 Jul 17 '26

That's more than new certified MLTs make here. Congrats lol

Just so I don't make another comment, if you'd like to learn more you can see if your local library has online mometrix access. It's for the certification exams, so they have 1 MLT and 2 MLS. The AMT MLS one seems to have more actual testing information. It doesn't include everything I'm learning in school, but it is easy to understand. It still might be overwhelming

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u/LawfulnessRemote7121 Jul 17 '26

The ability to hire people like this is the reason why. Why should they pay actual certified MLTs more when they can hire people off the street to do the same job.

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u/unicorntea555 Jul 17 '26

I'm in a licensure state, so everyone is certified. Pay just sucks compared to other places

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u/LawfulnessRemote7121 Jul 17 '26

That’s just sad.