day in my life as a new grad medical laboratory scientist (night shift)

in this video : come along for a day in my life as a medical laboratory scientist - working night shift in the blood bank dept. My tasks included - forward typing, type & screens, crossmatching units in vitro, an antibody workup, a rhogam workup + maintenance/qc.
sorry about the loud analyzer, lol!
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disclaimer - Please be mindful that I can not show everything, due to the importance of maintaining patient confidentiality in healthcare.
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Comment below & share your medical laboratory journey. Let's build a community!
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xoxo, dominique larae

[@kylaalaina]

As an upcoming freshman majoring in MLS it’s so inspiring to see another female role model!! Keep being amazing 🫶🏽

[@domilarae]

Awee, Thank you so much! I wish you the best on your journey to the lab!

[@abbieduncan6093]

Same here! Bless you for easing my anxieties!!

[@7ab3tha]

I love your vlogs. It's great seeing someone in action in the lab. I know you said you're nervous about your competencies but you seem like you really know your stuff. I'm like man i hope I can be as good as she is. 😅

[@domilarae]

Thanks so much!! Blood bank skills take a lot of practice! I honestly didn't like it in school. But now that I work in the dept, its very exciting. Certain problem solving scenarios come easier to me now because I see it often at work and have written ALOT in my lab notebook on how to handle situations! lol

[@domilarae]

Sorry for the background noise - The analyzer is loud during operation. 😂 edit ('23): the analyzer now has a silencer, it's quiet these days 🥳

[@NiqLT]

Lol anybody that works in a lab knows it can be loud

[@aubreynaarcher8916]

I'm a career changer going into clinical laboratory science after being a math educator for 6 years. I'll be done soon with CLS and I'm excited about entering the field. Thanks for your videos.

[@domilarae]

Thanks for sharing! I hope you have had a great experience in didactics and clinicals. Good luck on your journey to the lab as you enter the field soon!!

[@lada8273]

as a junior 1.5 years away from my clinical year, i am so grateful for your videos! they are so encouraging. blessings to you ❤️

[@domilarae]

Thank you! I’m glad the videos have been helpful. Good luck on your journey to the lab 💕😄

[@michellebeno6577]

Thank you for sharing!! I'm starting my clinical rotations August 1st and I'm so glad I have found your channel! You're gonna do great on your competencies--i can feel it.

[@domilarae]

I hope you have a great clinical experience! Thank you so much for the support!

[@weegeetoast]

I'm a junior, soon senior, in MLS student - love your content! I also want to have a career in micro. Tytyty for all of the great videos, you're great!

[@domilarae]

That's awesome! Good luck as you enter your senior year. Micro is great, you'll love it!

[@thereginaldvs]

I love watching your vlogs! Those keep me in the excitement mode to work in the lab ☺️

[@domilarae]

Thank you!! Good luck on your journey to the lab ❤️😄

[@HiKatieB]

Your competencies will be fine. Trust that you know things! It doesn't always feel like it, but you do. I have to remind myself of this regularly, too.

[@domilarae]

Thank you so much!

[@jeon_figz2463]

I'm about to start my career in medical laboratory technology as an undergraduate. Gonna follow you from now on!

[@domilarae]

Awesome! Good luck on your journey to the lab ☺️

[@jeon_figz2463]

@@domilarae thank you ❤️‍🩹

[@MaddScientist]

Love your video. U actually inspired me to start a little vlogging myself(only on TikTok and other social media) as a medical technologist. I am still nervous about starting the KZbin channel tho 😅. But I love to see us women (especially blacks) in the lab field, keep up the work.

[@dribaby91]

I love these videos they are so interesting and making me reconsider what I want to do in the future

[@domilarae]

Thanks for watching! What fields of study are you considering? Before choosing medical lab science, I compared it with cytology and radiology.

[@dribaby91]

@@domilarae I really enjoyed when I took a microbiology class so that is why I want to learn more about MLS. I do not think they are that related, but my major was public health/ health science and I want to go to Physician Assistant school.

[@smith2demonbreun748]

I am an MLS and a content creator as well so I’m curious how do you go about recording these things without violating hippa or getting in trouble with your job. That’s my biggest fear with recording myself at work

[@domilarae]

Leadership approved first lol. And I’m careful to not show anything that would potentially identify a patient - no lab reports, no tube labels, no requisitions, no pending boards, etc.

[@medtechham]

New subscriber here. You have a nice vlog. Great for new MLS to watch before they start their work in the hospital.

[@domilarae]

Thank you! I really do hope these videos are helping others see what its like to work in a lab environment

[@catlintorres8796]

I’ve been a premed but am honestly burned out from the application process , would you describe this job as fulfilling? I haven’t had much exposure to this career so I’m curious to wether this is a fast paced career?

[@domilarae]

It can be fulfilling, it just depends on what you find interesting. There’s many specialties in medical lab science that you should take the time to explore as you decide if MLS is for you (microbiology, chemistry, hematology, blood bank, immunology, toxicology, etc)

[@757Princess]

I just went from MLT to MLS and I'm on nights too! Currently, my lab only has 5 8s with BB and coag benched together with one tech. Its not ideal and I am looking for at least 4 10s since I have to work BB as a MLS. Would you ever consider being a Travel BB tech?

[@domilarae]

Thanks for sharing! BB/Coag together is an interesting work flow, I did BB/Micro together. I ended up going into Micro full time on day shift. I’m exploring quality, LIS, or education in the future. I don’t think I would consider traveling at this point, I’d rather work towards moving off of the bench eventually if that makes sense.

[@Kermila_3]

Two Questions.. would you say this job is good for introvert? & second, do you learn all this on the job or internship? Thank you

[@domilarae]

This job is nice for introverts, although I interact with other healthcare staff often in the hospital setting (nurses and care providers). You learn about the theory in school and get to practice in the internship. But, I’ve developed my skills on the job if that makes sense.

[@deniart2656]

I’m an introvert and that’s the reason I chose this career. Just started my first semester and I’m soo excited. I love the medical field but hate people😔

[@brianaburden2071]

I am currently a health services management student in undergrad but I have been thinking about pursuing a masters in mls. I have taken some biology and chemistry courses. Do you think coming from a non-stem background will hinder my chances for this profession?

[@domilarae]

Nope, as long as you take all of the prerequisite courses required for the MLS program, you should be fine ☺️

[@benedictorkarabo5960]

I'm currently studying MlS and I wanna specialize in clinical pathology,do you think it's a good idea. Hope to hear from you very soon

[@domilarae]

Yes it can be a great idea if you see a career route for yourself in pathology 😊

[@robertnovell3652]

Hello, I have a question, where did you study the mlt program?

[@yodit958]

Great blog!You mentioned in one of your videos about your plan on going to graduate school, what would you say are good programs after mls bsc?thank you.

[@domilarae]

Thanks! I begin school this fall! I'm studying data science. But, honestly there's tons of programs that could be useful. It just depends on what you'd like to do with your career (management, administration, teaching, specializations, explore new fields, etc)

[@yodit958]

@@domilarae wow that's great! That's not something i expected after this field.do you have to take many programming and mathematics courses for your pre req or do they teach you everything once you enroll?Also does a background in mls give you an advantage?

[@domilarae]

I'm taking my prereqs now in programming! The background in MLS would give me clinical experience in the future to qualify for other lab/health tech jobs.

[@Liberation822]

Soooo I'm curious. I just got into the program at my school, and I know there is a shortage because this is like a secret field in medicine people seem to not know about. How does that effect your mental health? I work in EMS, and I understand being understaffed and what it does. Are you ever voluntold to hold over due to the shortages?

[@domilarae]

I think it depends - I was hired for 5x8s on nights, i agreed to OT once and now I usually do about 50ish hrs per week to help out lol. It’s only bad if I work too many shifts so I’m learning how to set boundaries. My transition to the field was rough, but I’m in a better headspace now. From my experience theres more people waiting around to retire vs people entering the field. So I do worry that the shortage might worsen when all the older techs retire out.

[@thlp6872]

Do you write any papers in this type of role or is it purely processing samples and tests?

[@domilarae]

If you want to write papers, You can go into research as an MLS. But, working in the hospital is a clinical role - so conducting diagnostic testing for patients.

[@cindytruong9263]

Hello! I wanted to ask some questions as I am interested in this field, but I have some questions if you don't mind answering them. This might sound like an obvious question, but is the smell of blood strong? What are the pros and cons of working in this type of environment? (Is the pay comfortable, flexible, or stressful...) Does this job require you to draw blood? What should you be good at for this job? (Chemistry, Math, Physics, etc.) Also, what advice would you give to someone interested in this field?

[@domilarae]

Hopefully I can answer all your questions! The smell of blood is not strong. As far as pros and cons, it depends on your lifestyle. I find it to be comfortable and I work a flexible schedule. The work can be stressful, but not too crazy. Drawing blood is optional, I’ve never had to do it though. If you like biology and chemistry, you may enjoy studying lab science - the math is not that hard. I have made videos for advice, you can check them out by going to the playlists tab on my channel.

[@cindytruong9263]

@@domilarae Thank you for the reply, I'll go check out your videos.

[@ashleya193]

does the work get easier as a new grad? i’m going to graduate in 2 years and i’m always worried that in clinical that i’ll mess up once it starts. i’m worried about not knowing what to do lol

[@domilarae]

It does get easier! I feel a lot more confident now, which has taken me around 9 months of work experience. Don’t worry too much about clinical rotations. Your program will set the expectations along with the lab’s clinical educator, on how the lab will teach you. It starts at the basics and builds from there, nobody will expect you to come to the lab day one and know what to do, they will teach you everything.

[@MsShawty145]

What the department do you enjoy working the most ?

[@domilarae]

I enjoy working in microbiology the most. It’s like putting puzzles together

[@thexvault]

My heme teacher would get so mad when I call the analyzer a machine lmaooo

[@domilarae]

I can relate to that lmaoo!!!!

[@ayenikelvin131]

Hi, thanks for making these, they're really good. Are you by chance Nigerian?

[@domilarae]

Hello, I am not Nigerian

[@ayenikelvin131]

@@domilarae oh okay, well thank you very much once again, I was just admitted into this program so your video was a big morale boost❤️

[@domilarae]

@ayenikelvin131 congratulations!! You will do great! I wish you the best on your journey to the lab! 😄

[@okojiedebby5154]

Hello , I’m a medical lab scientist from Nigeria, pls how can I get to work in the US? Hope to hear from you soon

[@domilarae]

You’d have to take the ASCPi exam , from what I understand

[@brendasierra1213]

I like your video! Very interesting! 👏 What should I study to work in this profession in your country? where could I study it?

[@domilarae]

Medical laboratory science/technology is a major that you can study at several universities and colleges across the united states

[@aevell668]

how long did it take you to reach this career?

[@domilarae]

I did a four year biology degree then an 18 month long post bacc program

[@aevell668]

@@domilarae oh that’s cool, i’m 16 currently and interesting in being a MLS. Is it really worth it? I’ve seen some good things about it but that’s just from being who didn’t do this in reality.

[@domilarae]

It’s worth it if you love science and have an interest in healthcare/medicine! There’s a lot of chemistry, biology and math involved. So if that interests you, then you may enjoy the lab field.

[@TSALN]

I want to learn how to ID panel.

[@domilarae]

There’s helpful videos by LabLadyMcGill on youtube

[@danieldelacruz7305]

How do we get started in this job?

[@domilarae]

The easiest way is looking into colleges/universities with a medical laboratory science or medical laboratory technology major

[@autoxetai1464]

Hay quá

[@BellaBeeBaby]

Do you work alone most of the time?

[@domilarae]

I had 2-3 other techs on shift with me, but we worked alone in our own depts - one in blood bank/micro, one in heme/coag, one in chemistry

[@kimberlyduckett9485]

Any tips on ASCP?

[@domilarae]

I have a whole video full of tips and resources on my channel. If you have time, check it out! 😁

[@JaniaSanders]

To whoever is reading this : May God bless you ! You’re gunna do great in life ! Put God first and everything will fall into place ! John 3:16 says , “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life ! Believing in Christ isn’t only enough! Even the demons believe! However, Matthew 6:33 talks about us seeking Him and spending time with Him in the secret place ( where He lives- Matthew 6:6). If we seek Him, we will find Him! If we love Him, we will obey His commandments ! God’s grace is so sufficient! Wishing nothing but love , joy , peace, prosperity, faith, hope, etc. Have a blessed day ! God loves you so much :) 💕💕

[@domilarae]

Thank you! 💕

[@cyrilosarobouwuigbe2095]

Your locks are so beautiful

[@domilarae]

Thank you!

[@sincere91005]

So pretty.

[@domilarae]

Thank you! ❤️

[@coffeepandacat]

So cool 🤩❤️🧪🧫🔬You give the new batch of pre-mls students a treasure trove of information. There are others out there who have shared some things but you give us a whole index of stuff to help us!!! I really appreciate your videos ❤️✨✨

[@domilarae]

Awee thank you so much!! That means alot, I always hope the videos are helpful 😭 if there's ever any video suggestions for the future, please let me know! Good luck on your journey to the lab 😄

[@vietnsmcttnhhvps1198]

Hay quá