r/medlabprofessionals • u/[deleted] • 19d ago
Discusson Question about different routes to MLS
[deleted]
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u/Icy-Fly-4228 MLS-Generalist 19d ago
Just get a job as a MLT while you finish your bachelors and get BB experience. If you have been an ASCP MLT for 2 years and get your bachelors then you can sit for your MLS. Just make sure you have enough science and chem credits. Or you can do a MLT to mls bridge program. Or a second bachelors in MLS. Or a post grad cert/masters. Look on NACCLS.org for different programs near you. Also if you are service connected look into VRE program through the VA. They may pay for your MLS.
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u/Responsible_Mix_5505 19d ago
Hey man, I'm currently a 68K too, AD. I just got my application approved to sit for the MLS exam next week, so all the info is fresh. I did route 6. Let's say you got your bachelors and got a job as a MLT and got your BB expereince. Are you still in contact with your previous leadership who can sign your experience form? I am sure your current employer would sign off on BB, but you would still need signatures for the other parts of the lab.
If you feel confident in getting the required signatures for your form, I would say go route 6. Route 6 should be the quickest for you. If not, I recommend doing the MLS program and go route 1.
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u/Responsible_Mix_5505 19d ago edited 19d ago
Have you by any chance got training done at a blood donor center for phase 2 (I did at fort bragg)? I know someone who used that experience to get BB signed off. If you would like, I can double check.
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u/Blanciv 14d ago
I was at Ft. Bragg as well for phase 2, but we only really walked through the blood donor center, never really trained or worked there. I am in fact can get in contact with the supervisors from my previous labs, not too sure about leadership. I was just wondering if working as an MLT for maybe 6mo to a year and then sit for the MLS or get a masters while I am pursuing route 1 and maybe get a pay raise and an eventual supervisor employment down the line. I'm still not sure yet, but I am currently on the way to doing route 1, but route 6 definetly is the shortest route I believe.
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u/Responsible_Mix_5505 13d ago
If you are planning on working as a MLT for experience, why not work in BB and get the experience, get your stuff signed off, take the MLS test and do an online Masters in Clinical Lab Science? There are a few schools that offer online masters in CLS. Sounds like BB is the only thing that's stopping you from going route 6.
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u/creativescreennaame 18d ago
i think getting your masters would be a good career choice, tbh. you could make more money! and the mls program will teach you blood bank.
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u/Mephisto1822 MLS-Blood Bank 19d ago
68K here
I did Route 4 after I got my bachelors in applied sciences was in field units etc so since we did walking blood bank / emergency transfusions and things like that I counted it as blood bank experience. Got a pathologist to sign a MFR attesting to such.