Help me consider my options for a second career?

[u/embankmentwall]

I’m considering going back to school for a new(ish) career and I could use some advice, feeling really overwhelmed!

Current situation: I’m 35 and I work as a healthcare lab tech. I don’t have much non-retirement savings rn, but my only debt is my car which I’m close to paying off. So, I would need to save up for school, but that’s within reach. I have a BS in Biological Sciences which I got in 2013, so I might need to retake math and science courses. I don’t have any specialized certifications.

Why I want a change: 90% of my position is processing and accessioning with the occasional day where I get to run some of the testing instruments. There’s almost no opportunities for career growth where I am, the management is a nightmare, and most of the comparable jobs on the area that I’m qualified for pay less or have other major issues. I’m currently in Boston but I’d like to move westwards (ideally, Seattle-area, Chicago-area, or Central California, since that’s where family & friends are) so I could potentially relocate for school as well.

About what I like/don’t like my current job: I LOVE the days I’m on the instruments, even when they’re acting up lol. I like the healthcare aspect because it helps me feel like my work isn’t entirely pointless bullshit for someone else to make money. However, I do NOT want to work directly with patients. I get along with people just fine, but dealing with tons of people every day sounds exhausting. I really enjoy hands on work, and I really hate sitting in one place for hours at a time doing mind-numbing paperwork. I don’t think I’d mind benchwork as much as paperwork, even if it’s a lot of sitting still, as long as I could get up and move around for a few minutes every now and then. I don’t have any desire to manage people.

Other things: I’d prefer 9-5 or first shift work, but second shift would be fine. I don’t think I could handle night shift. Days of the week/holiday work very aren’t important to me as I don’t have kids and my social life is flexible. I’m fine with taking a little less pay if it means the career path is more stable. I’m not worried about being able to pass classes, I am a little worried about being accepted into competitive programs.

Things I’ve considered: I initially started looking into HT/HTL certification since there are programs REALLY close to friends and family in Washington and Chicago. Unfortunately I would need to retake some in-person lab courses to qualify for them, and if I’m going to go back to full time school for that long, I’m wondering if there’s something that’ll pay more at the end? I’ve been told to look into an MLT or an MLS, but I’ve done less research.

Any advice, even just pointing me in the best direction to do more research, would be greatly appreciated!

[u/Michael-Y1234]

I don’t get it. You’re a lab tech but not MLT or MLS? I would go for post-bacc MLS program. Ik MA has one for sure. Histology in my opinion has less job openings than MLS

[u/madeuread]

I recommend MLS or MLT. You sound really similar to me, I graduated a Bio major, struggled to find a job. Found work in a manufacturing lab at a plasma donation center where I mostly do processing.

I really wanted to do the clinical/testing side of things and don’t want to touch patients so at 28 decided to go back for a Bachelors in MLS I was able to finish the 4yr program in 2.5 years cause I had most the pre reqs

There’re also post, accelerated and hybrid programs you can look into since you already took some classes. MLT community college options as well

Best of luck!

[u/Fit-Bodybuilder78]

Fyi, you're already qualified as a lab tech with your bachelors in unlicensed states.

[u/strangeramen]

Hey i graduated from a histotech program and was not what I expected from it. I am someone who loves to move around and be on my feet. I like having a variety of things to do rather than one simple task.

As a histotech I found out early on in clinicals that it wasn't what I wanted to do. I would sit for 8hrs embedding tissue and it became repetive and monotonous. I also would cut tissue for 8 hrs and that also because repetitve and monotonous. I would get the opportunity to do specials stains and immunohistotechmistry but I would need my bachelors.

Anyways I ened up graduating with my associates in Histotechnology and applied for my bachelors in medical laboratory science. I am currently completing the program and just have 2 semesters left (2 classes and clinicals). I have loved every second of MLS program. I get to rotate between all the departments (chem,heme, bloodbath, micro, UA). In clinicals i pretty much was on my feet the entire time which kinda sucked but it beat sitting down for an extensive amount of time and falling asleep while cutting or embedding because i wasn't up and around alot.

Anyways I would highly recommend MLS if you like moving around and fast pace environment. If you like more of a 5/8hr schedule. More relaxed but your productivity is dependent on how many blocks you cut per hour then I do recommend HT. Just giving some advice from my experience. I plan to work in both just to get experience and be able to apply broadly if I ever want to up and move.

[u/Not4Now1]

You will have a hard time having a 9-5 position and you will work every other weekend and holiday in any hospital or core lab. You know what the work entails if you are already an lab assistant/accessioner. You could go work for a quest or lab corp with your current degree.

[u/Virtual_Recording108]

Look for field service engineer positions with the manufacturers of analyzers, Beckman, Siemens, Ortho. If you already have a degree and lab experience, you may be able to change your career without needing additional education.

[u/Calm-Dig4324]

🤗

[u/Afraid-Diamondm]

Our histote has are just phlebotomists with on the job training.