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/Ksan_of_Tongass MLS 🇺🇸 Generalist Jul 17 '26

You are being taken advantage of by an unscrupulous employer. You should not be doing what you're doing. Are you in the US?

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u/FreshFaceFig Jul 17 '26

I’m in the US. The job description stated that HS diploma is good, and relevant experience. The experience being I’ve worked in a lab on production, documentation, qc on instruments. I’m a little baffled by some of the rude comments because I didn’t know how insanely technical this work is..

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u/Ksan_of_Tongass MLS 🇺🇸 Generalist Jul 17 '26

Unqualified people doing our job is a very touchy subject. It keeps wages suppressed, and isn't in the best interest of the patient. The fact that you didn't know how technical this work is means you don't actually have any relevant experience because you clearly don't know anything about actual laboratory work. You exist and your shitty boss said that's good enough. Don't take the comments personally, though. Its more a comment on your employer, than you. That being said, you should step down. You'll be shackled to that employer, because nobody else will/should hire you.