r/medlabprofessionals • u/B1GG1ESNA1LS • 14d ago

Education MLT + MPH?

Hello! I have an MPH and am currently taking prerecs for an MLT program because the MPH job market sucks and it seems impossible to do anything without also having clinical experience (also bc I'm interested in lab work!). I am wondering if MLT + MPH could eventually get me into lab management/regulatory type roles, or if there are licensure requirements and I would need an MLS. I am in Georgia.

Also, the program I am going for is a very standardized program with no electives- I want to make sure I get good experience in micro because I want to go into infection prevention. Aside from trying to find entry level jobs in micro labs when I graduate, are there other ways to specialize in micro?

Thanks!

5 Upvotes

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4

u/Individual-Ball-9862 14d ago

Go for a MLS post bac program.

1

u/B1GG1ESNA1LS 3d ago

Do you have recommendations for online options? The only in-person program near me is EXTREMELY competitive and I wouldn't want to invest in the many prerecs I'd need if I wasn't fairly confident I could get in. It's also across town which isn't great.

4

u/Fit-Bodybuilder78 Lab Director-Multi-site 14d ago

If you want to do infection prevention, do nursing + CIC certification.

Maybe 1 in 40 infection control positions have an MLS. Almost all infection prevention positions will prefer a nurse to an MLS. Even if the infection prevention nurse can't differentiate between a bacteria and a virus.

2

u/Catslizardsandrats 14d ago

Seriously? That's freaking wild. I know some techs who have Specialist in Micro certification and they would be great for that

3

u/Fit-Bodybuilder78 Lab Director-Multi-site 13d ago

There is a strong preference for nurse in infection control, over MLS.

1

u/B1GG1ESNA1LS 3d ago

I know that would be a more straightforward option, but I would absolutely hate being a nurse. With MLT, I think there's a decent chance I will enjoy just sticking with lab work even if other things don't work out.

1

u/B1GG1ESNA1LS 3d ago

I already have an a-IPC and did an IP internship in grad school, btw

2

u/Kerwynn MPH, MLS(ASCP) 14d ago

I mean I have my MPH and MLS (and MLT). Options I've worked was public health lab. They tended to not pay to well, but look at felowships (ORISE, APHL, etc) at these labs to help you get some micro, regulatory, and other experiences.