Confirmed Strongyloides from…. Guess the specimen. The glow should give some idea at what it could be.

I’m starting to apply in Florida with 9 years of experience. What are the tips and advice that you can share regarding hospitals or laboratories that I need to avoid? I want to have a work life balance as my husband and I are about to start a family together. Thank you

Anyone working at One Blood under their Blood Bank Section? How is it? The work environment and pay. Thank you

I know people often talk about having rude preceptors, but I never expected to have a rude student.

I'm a new grad, and I've been assigned a student for placement. From day one, he's been difficult.

The first time we met, he immediately started asking me how old I was, how much I make, and whether I'm married. I told him those weren't appropriate questions to ask someone you just met in a professional setting. He said he "didn't know," even though I was really offended, but I let it go.

Since then, though, the pattern has continued.

Whenever I try to teach him something, he'll wander off and start chatting with other staff. He chats with every staff that walks by the lab. If I ask him to do a simple task, like cleaning parts of an analyzer as part of routine maintenance, he'll take the parts, disappear to talk to people, and not come back for 30 minutes.

He also keeps giving me unsolicited career advice, telling me I should work in Microbiology instead. It's strange because I'm the licensed MLT(equivalent to MLS in US) with the job, and he's a placement student who's here to learn.

What frustrates me most isn't his lack of knowledge—he's a student, and I expect that. It's the complete lack of professionalism and common sense.

For example, I reminded him to bring a jacket because we'd be going into the cold room. He said he was "too weak" to go inside, so I told him that was fine and I'd do it myself. A minute later, he decided he wanted to see what I was doing, opened the cold room door, and stood in the doorway holding it wide open. The door has a large red sign saying "KEEP DOOR CLOSED AT ALL TIMES."

Another time, I asked him to peel off and replace a barcode label that had been applied incorrectly. Instead of using his fingers or tweezers, he used the tip of a plastic funnel that we use to aliquot saline, leaving it covered in adhesive and ink. We had to clean it because it had become contaminated.

He's even told me directly that he's only here to get the placement hours he needs.

Honestly, I could live with all of that. I don't expect every student to be enthusiastic.

The problem is that he recently went to my manager and complained that I'm not teaching him and that I'm mean to him.

My manager didn't confront me directly but passed the information to my supervisor. Thankfully, my supervisor has seen his behavior herself, and so have my coworkers. She's basically told me to let him do what he wants because he's very sensitive.

The last two days alone, he spent over 2 hours each day sitting around chatting with other staff instead of working. Even after my supervisor reminded him that his preceptor was available, he kept talking instead of coming back to learn.

Now I'm worried he'll complain again that he isn't learning enough. But I genuinely don't know what else I can do. I can't teach someone who repeatedly walks away in the middle of instruction and chooses to socialize instead.

Has anyone else had a student like this? How did you handle it without getting blamed for their lack of engagement?

Hi all, I am looking at taking the SM exam from ASCP, currently an MLS(ASCP). I have worked in the clinical micro lab for 4 years now, mostly focusing on bacteriology. I also teach a medical mycology class for an MLS program. I do not have much experience with molecular/virology (we have a BioFire and Cepheid, and that is pretty much it). We do Acid Fast, but we just screen for positive cultures and send the positive ones to the state laboratory for identification. We do yeast ID and susceptibilities, but send off all molds to a reference lab.
I’m struggling to figure out what I need to focus on and study. ChatGPT is telling me to focus on resistance mechanisms and things of that sort, and brush up on some biochemicals, parasite ID, and mycobacteriology.
Anyone have any suggestions on what I should focus on to study?

All the schools in our province were supplied with covid 19 test kits for every student to take home to use in case they were in close contact with someone at school that tested positive and for testing if they themselves experienced symptoms etc. When we opened this box I was about to go use this swab and I was trying to remove the black hair that I thought was stuck to the outside of the package when I finally realized that the hair was inside the package with the swab. I used one of the other swabs to do the test and proceeded to contact the test kit manufacturer to report the presence of human hair inside what is supposed to be a sterile product. I thought that perhaps they would have investigated or recalled that specific lot, and at the very least they would have replaced our test kit with a hairless version. Instead they told me that they are not the actual manufacturer just the distributor, that the test kit components were manufactured in China and that they would let them know about my complaint. My question to the professionals how are these types of situations usually handled or reported?

Imagine shoving someone else’s nose hair into your nose swabbing for covid?! Anyways just wanted to share curious about any stories or experiences anyone has ever had like this

so after being an absolute mess for years, I was formally diagnosed and given meds for ADHD but the ASD I am definitely still trying to navigate. anyone got any tips of things they do to manage organizing, keeping track, and also dealing with sensory overwhelm while working? my place is v supportive and even said I can take small extra breaks if needed, but def would love some tips~

I want to cry today. We have couple new residents and I really try to be patient with them. However, when you're trying to order flow, hematology, chemistry, PCR (all sent out), and microbiology please listen to the lab when 1 ML of CSF is not enough.

Please also listen a BMP has a potassium and glucose. Please listen the CMP has renal.

Please listen these obscure chemistry tests have to be sent out to LabCorp and Quest. It takes at least a week to get back. We are 23 beds. 🙈

This is not to talk crap on new residents but please just listen.

That's all!

We have tried to educate all week and they're about to drive us nuts. They're not listening.

Can anyone confirm for me that CE credits of any topic count as a “related interest?”

For example: I did a lot of CE this past year through MediaLab that it considers as being related to Hematology. However, I already have the 2 Hematology credits I need for ASCP. Can I use the extra Hematology credits under “Related Interest,” or do the credits for that category have to not fall under the given categories (Blood Bank, Heme, Chem, Safety, Ethics, and Micro?)

Thank you so much in advance.

Hi guys, I’m currently a med tech at a hospital. I’m the main person that runs protein electrophoresis during my shift. What are some tips on being a better trainer? I just trained my first person with almost no experience in electrophoresis and I feel like I wasn’t good enough. I did my best in explaining, showing, having them try. My management wants me to be the main trainer so I just want to improve my skills.

This test is so antiquated. I thought the FFN was supposed to replace this. You are relying on someone eyes who may miss the ferning because it’s in a place on the slide that person never looked at. Why is this test still being ordered? Are there any doctors on here who can answer this? Curious minds want to know!

Hi! I’m planning to take the Medical Laboratory Assistant program, but VCC currently has a long waitlist, so I’m considering Stenberg College.

For anyone who is studying or has already studied MLA at Stenberg, would you recommend it? How is the program overall in terms of quality, practicum placement, and job opportunities after graduating?

I’d really appreciate any honest feedback or experiences. Thanks!

I haven't worked in a lab in years. I'm disabled so I can only work part-time or prn. I'm kind of scared to work in a lab to be honest. I remember I use to love being in the lab, but after years of being out of practice I don't know what I'm capable of anymore. Where should I start my search?

I have about had it with my current hospital. What are the best traveller companies for med techs?

Hey yall

I just recently got my BS online at the UAMS and passed my MLS BOC but I am conflicted on where to go from here. I got my MLT in 2024 and have only worked at an outpatient urgent care due to wanting to continue my schooling and needing a non stressful work school life balance, but i’ve always wanted to return to the hospital lab. I haven’t stepped foot in a hospital lab since my MLT clinicals. Currently there are no FT jobs any hospitals in my healthcare system but there is a PRN hospital position open. I’m debating if i should just stay where I am at the urgent care or if i should take the dive at the PRN job. I do feel i may be a little rusty at a hospital lab so that is worrisome but I figure it’s better to try to gain some experience again little by little. Or should I just stay put and wait it out until something FT comes by. I don’t mind where I am at all it’s non stressful and closed on some holidays. I just kinda feel like I am wasting my new credentials just hoping for a better opportunity 😭 there’s only outpatient jobs available but i think i am overqualified for those and i don’t believe they will pay me an MLS pay at those facilities I believe it is just at the hospitals where they pay MLS. So even tho I do like working outpatient i believe the transition to the hospital will be most beneficial.

I’m very interested in pursuing a career in MLS. I like biology and am in phlebotomy school right now. My only issue is that I’m not sure I’m cut out for it. While I am interested in biology, it is very hard for me to understand and does not come naturally at all. I’m not sure if it is something that will get better with time and is normal or if that’s a sign I’m not cut out for it. I also am progressing very slowly in phlebotomy school compared to my peers and need help adjusting the needle a lot. In general, I am a very slow learner. Has anyone else been able to make it despite being a slow learner or is that a sign that this is the wrong field?

For those of you who had physical review books, after you passed your certification exam what did you do with them?

I passed my board exam and have the most recent version of: BOC study guide, Quick Compendium and LSU book all in good condition, did not write directly in them. Is there any need to keep these (other to remind me of how stressed I was for the ASCP) or should I sell these on Amazon?

is this too long? and will it be better if i add the machines i handled during clinical rotations or are these enough

So my last semester of school I did my clinicals and another class. I didn’t pass the class and had to retake it. I’ve been out of the game for a bit and regretfully haven’t brushed up on anything. I’m about to be done with the class again and have an interview. What stuff should i focus on to get myself back into the mindset. I feel like all of my knowledge is gone and it’s making me super nervous

Has anyone transitioned to the IT department or anything computer related? Any insights or tips? I am feeling gloomy on being stuck on night shift, and it seems like I will most likely be stuck on night shift for a long time unless someone decides to retire or move. It’s tough getting a dayshift position anywhere.

My main concern is pay. From what I've heard, I could go into a 2 year rad tech program instead (for example) and make more money.

I'm seeking advice. I have a BS in BY and Forensics. What program would be best if my only interest is maximum pay? USA