Do I Regret Being A Medical Lab Tech?

[@J0n312]

MLS here working in chemistry at one lab and as a generalist in another. Been working in chemistry for a little over a year and a generalist for 3 months. I love the lab its the perfect place for an introvet like myself. I love medicine but to be honest I'd rather deal with a patient's body fluids/tissues than their attitude lol. I love the lifestyle you created for yourself and I hope to travel one day when I feel comfortable and super confident in my skills as a generalist. Keep making these videos you are doing the Lord's work bringing awareness to our profession!

[@derekaray]

Same, I'm an introvert too. I couldn't imagine dealing with patients directly.

[@SoRandom2023]

I am a phleb and going for the MLT program soon I love your videos keep doing them please 🙏🏾 it really helps

[@Akintayo_]

I'm in my second year as a Medical laboratory science. It has been amazing so far. 🎉🎉

[@c.n217]

I am thinking of considering mlt and at the start of your video you mentioning the rude employees, the burnt out and the stress all made my stomach hurt and get a knot on my throat because I have been leaving other jobs I had that are not healthcare related because of these exact same reasons, and the fact that you did not leave your profession and saw that it was not a you problem but the environment you were in and the people surrounded you that I look up to how you handled the situation. You just spoke to your therapist took a traveling assignment and kept it moving , off to bigger and better things your a baddie at that and made me reconsider this there will always be haters and bullies apparently every where. It is our job to not let them dictate our life and make us make life changing decisions for the experiences they put us through - major eye roll to them props to you!

[@derekaray]

Thank you for this comment, it mean a lot to me☺️ This is why I want to make these videos. I have seen new grads quit only after a year, because people don’t know what to expect. As far as quitting I couldn’t, because I feel like I have a lot to learn and I’m able to share my knowledge with others who are interested. I refuse to let miserable people ruin that for me☺️

[@nikki447]

​@@derekarayAs a fellow MLS that trained & started in Memphis TN, I can say that I truly appreciate how you've documented your experiences & explained the clinical laboratory profession. I can relate to the challenges you've had. The job was always the same to me for the most part, but the people were the struggle for me. The farther I Moved, the more challenging that got for me. Diversity was lacking in many places too. Several years & multiple licenses later, I ended up out west working in CA. I desired to go to NYC, so the last license I acquired was that one, and 1 to 2 yrs ago I went there. It was amazing, the city. In the end, I wish I handled the challenges more like you document here on your channel. I ended up getting licensed in different professions, & I stopped traveling as a CLS/MLS/CLT/MT. I miss the profession & travels, but not the people. 😆 I wish you all the best, & I took some tips from you on how to positively deal with stressors.

[@sokamuy]

I totally get this! I graduated right into the pandemic and working in the hospital became a nightmare 😭 I didn’t last very long, and started working at a blood center instead. I want to get back into the hospital per diem though, so I can have that experience for when I apply to become a travel tech. Love seeing that it’s working for you! I keep making excuses on why I shouldn’t, but honestly I think I will regret it if I don’t.

[@sydthekid5772]

The exact same thing happened to me. I finished my clinicals at the hospital and dipped. They tried to offer me a job and I was like "hell noo" 😂 My instructors, except a few, were extremely rude towards me and patients.

[@lilblingx0x]

dude you're so chill lol

[@erinjohnson9097]

I’m currently a MLS student and loving classes so far!

[@derekaray]

Hey Erin you won the giveaway. Please email @[e-mail] with your shirt size & address. Congrats and I'm so happy you're enjoying your classes!

[@raholmes07]

I completely understand, and thanks for your video. I was at the same place during the pandemic with the hospital I was at. I left to become a traveler as well and changed my mind. Unfortunately, due to the cutback on recent travel positions and needing to stay within 3 hrs of home, I had to go back to being a permanent tech and am now back to looking to switch careers.

[@TimTim__]

Thanks for sharing your journey Dereka❤

[@NiqLT]

With Covid slowing down drastically, do you notice any positive differences compared to when Covid first started? I started working at labcorp during peak Covid time and I hated it!! I left after a year and have been working at a fertility clinic and it’s sooo much better. I have thought about going back to a micro lab part time but I hated the environment so much. I have been working in labs for 2 years!

[@derekaray]

I feel like people are less on edge since the stress of covid has kind of slowed down. A lot of the hate come from the drastic need for improvement that the Hospital/Upper management don't care to change as long as the job gets done.

[@TimTim__]

Hi NiqLT. I have read your comments in other lab scientists KZbin videos as well. And girl you won’t believe that I have been searching for you because there was a time I stumbled upon on of your comments where you mentioned that you’re going to work in infertility lab or may be how you made the transition into it and since then I have been searching for your comments in every known KZbinrs channel. Finally, got you. Can you please tell what degree/certifications you hold and I would be glad to know how I can start from scratch and break into Micrbio, embryology lab. I don’t want to be a generalist btw. I also remember from one of your comments that you actually enjoy your own work, put AirPods , listen music and just do lab work. That must be so satisfying. Hoping to hear from you back. ❤ P.s. Please don’t find me weird 😂

[@NiqLT]

​@@TimTim__ Hi! I currently work in a fertility lab. I have been working here for over a year. I predominately work on the andrology/endocrinology part of the lab. I will be starting my full embryology training very soon. I only have a BS in Biology. My first lab job was at LabCorp in their Micro department as a lab assistant. If you do not have any lab experience and you have a BS in a science, I would recommend getting a job as a lab assistant so you can experience what it is like to work in a clinical lab. I hated working at LabCorp, but I did enjoy my role. LabCorp is a reference lab so it’s almost like a clinical warehouse. It’s always super busy. Due to a lot of labs being understaffed, I wasn’t too sure if I wanted to go back to school to get an MLS certification. I decided not to because my work/life balance was horrible as a lab assistant and I was seeing a lot of post about burnout for actual MLS people. I stumbled upon a job post to work in a fertility lab and I have been happily working here since! The only requirements they wanted were a BS in a science and some lab experience. In my state, you do not need a special certification to work as an andrologist or embryologist. Generally a BS in a science should suffice. All of my training has been performed and will be performed on the job. There aren’t as many jobs available in this specialty so you kind of have to get lucky in order to find a facility that is hiring. To get into embryology, you generally have to work in andrology/endocrinology for a while to “prove” that you are trainable in embryology. Embryology requires A LOT of training and discipline but the pay is so much better than andrology/endocrinology. I would say expect to work in andrology/endocrinology for 2 years before expecting to receive any training in embryology. It can take up to 5 years to be fully trained in embryology. As far as being able to use Airpods, when I worked at LabCorp, they allowed us to have one Airpod in. We never saw patients so everybody did it when we worked. It may vary for each lab. In my current lab, I do see patients but when I don’t, I do still listen use my Airpods. However, I made sure my boss was ok with it. Some labs may see it as a distraction, so definitely ask. Check out Domonique Larae on KZbin. She just started working in Micro and might do content about her experience.

[@TimTim__]

@@NiqLT Thanks girl for this detailed answer. I can get you on the work-life balance which deters me to change my major to MLS. Working as a lab assistant can give me a view then. You’re in a nice environment now. Hope you can climb the ladder in your career journey. Yes, I already follow Domonique Larae. She has chose to specialize only on micro part.

[@NiqLT]

@@TimTim__ Yes! Try being a lab assistant and see how you feel about the lab environment. As much as I can’t stand LabCorp lol look at a position there. Some of the lab assistants that had been working there prior to me was given the opportunity to be a tech trainee. They also have a trainee tech position where they will completely train you on the job. Also I’m not sure what your current major is, but one good thing about an MLS degree is it will guarantee you a job. I don’t regret getting my BS in Biology because it has all worked out for me but I have considered going back to school for an MLS degree “just in case”. Thank you! I actually just received all my training paperwork so my road to Jr. Embryologist has officially began! I’m super excited. If you have any other questions about anything just let me know!

[@BlackGirlLovesAnime6]

Hi Dereka, I've been doing lab work since 2018. Started out behind the scenes as a lab tech making kits for patient blood draw and then I worked at a cancer research lab doing bench work from 2021 to the end of this summer. Then this aug I got a job as a cell therapy specialist where I was learning how to do stem cell transplants and patient stem cell infusions. Unfortunately they forced me to resign from that position because they felt like I wasn't going to be signed off for an hpc autologous procedure and be able to do it on my own. I was devastated because the pay was so good compared to lab tech and pissed that they promised to properly teach me everything from scratch but lacked the patience to do so( I chose this job over the MT program). It was unrealistic for someone with basic experience to be an expert in under 3 months with a horrible trainer and no encouragement. I also hated the people I worked with, all pretentious old white women and an arrogant white male medical director. I had less holidays, was forced to be on call and work late with no overtime pay, and told that I'd be working with patients after I took the job (I hate patient work and people lol). They gave me another position as a shipper, the pay is way less which made me feel like I got knocked back down. The only good part is that I may of finessed a hybrid work position and a lesser work flow. All of this on top of other things made me almost leave lab work and science all together but I decided to apply for an online MT program so I can finally get certified, , gain my MT experience elsewhere and start travel work. Edit: Sorry this is so long, I just needed to vent lol

[@TimTim__]

Sorry to hear this. Remember that they didn’t deserve you and the harsh reality you faced made you more stronger to start new and fresh in this journey. Good luck. May I know which online program you have joined? I’m also torn between getting associates vs bachelors.

[@derekaray]

I feel your pain on horrible rushed training, I deal with that as a travel tech too. Unfortunately just like any other job, healthcare has it share of rude employees that are unpleasant to work with. Anyway, you deserve better, forcing you to work overtime without pay is wrong and I thought that was illegal. You have a bit of experience now , so use that to your benefit to find a better job. And congrats on taking the first step to getting certified as a MT..I wish you the best of luck.

[@BlackGirlLovesAnime6]

@@derekaray thank you 🙏🏾. I’m currently enrolled in the mt program online but working at the same time is stressful af. 😂 like I’m not with those same women but this current job requires more than I was told and I’m not allowed to do schoolwork like I was told. I just can’t wait til I get through school, pass my test and feel confident to do what I love.

[@BlackGirlLovesAnime6]

@@TimTim__ sorry I’m so late but I’m doing the post bacc program through George Washington university. It’s 20 months and classes are online. Clinical starts next august for 4 months at a clinical I secured outside of DC. You can do the program anywhere as long as you secure a clinical site near you and if you have to work I advise a low paced job or part time because my full time atm is too much while at school and low staffed. It’s like she doesn’t give af that I’m in school even tho she knew.

[@howaniquehowell3616]

Hi, I am a phlebotomist and last year I quit my job to go back to school and become a MLT. I am currently a full time student and deciding if I should go straight thru to get my MLS. In your opinion whats the biggest difference you've seen between MLT and MLS jobs. I want the money difference but I want to be happy, so compromising my peace is not a question.

[@derekaray]

I've been working in the hospital going on six years now and in my personal opinion there is no difference in roles or responsibilities. MLT and MLS do the exact same job in the hospitals I've worked for. The only difference is the bachelor degree, so they make more money and it will be easier for them to be promoted into higher paying positions in the field. Also, keep in mind some hospitals will not hire MLT, my home town has a hospital called St.Jude who hires MLS to do tech work and MLT to be specimen processor. Being a MLT works for me, because I have no desire to be in a management position and working as a traveler allows me to make more money than an MLS working a full time permanent position.

[@howaniquehowell3616]

@@derekaray Thanks. Very insightful. That's exactly what I needed to hear. 🧡🧡🧡 And Good for you on getting where you are! 😉

[@TimTim__]

I’m also on the same journey. Really worried about stepping foot in the door. As I’m super introvert, there’s a leap of faith that I can make career in labs. I’m already doing BS in public health. As Dereka said, roles and responsibilities of MLT and MLS are same except the pay then I have no issue about the pay. Management side can be bothering for me as well. So let’s just be a lab tech, may be travel..

[@laurenfrancis9772]

Thank you so much for this video, thank you so much for your honesty

[@andreaokonkwo3862]

Thank you for this !

[@ambitiousbeauty1013]

I plan on getting my clinical lab tech certification. Will I have a hard time finding a job without experience?

[@gudisetaa3216]

My way of escaping is by praying to GOD, OH Jesus Thank you.

[@daisyogudiegwu391]

I applied for nursing in my uni but i got admission for MLT but i don't know anything about it but i think a like it now

[@fasakintoyin4321]

Love to benefit from this giveaway. What can I do when am in Nigeria... Ps Just finished running my MLT program, no regret as well... Glory

[@dominqueb10]

This is random but do you have a curl on your hair? I can’t remember what it’s called. Either way your hair is beautiful.

[@fiorylolo]

THANKS ALOT

[@tiffanyalberti2029]

What degrees do I need to become a Medical Laboratory Technician? How many years of College?

[@BlackGirlLovesAnime6]

The technician position only requires an associates degree because they only need to kno how to do lab procedures but if you want to be a full on medical lab scientist then you need to do a 4 year program at university for medical lab science. Both jobs require you to take the national exam after you finish the program

[@ambitiousbeauty1013]

You might do better working in a small lab with less people.

[@naturalshort8302]

India lab technician..😂 very low quality job in India private job only 7000/ month 8 hours 😂

[@nanolathe1193]

LOL when most people quit their job they dont have the luxury to go on a tropical vacation. and you talk about how stressful it is and refer to covid yet this video was made in 2023... i guess my point is that ALL jobs are stressful, at least you make a good enough living to justify the stress. try working a stressful job making 17/hr then talk to me

[@BlackGirlLovesAnime6]

Maybe instead of projecting your frustrations on her you should use your frustrations to figure out what you need to do in order to improve your career and money.

[@twtybrd106]

She's not on a "tropical vacation". She is working in her profession but as a travel technician which means she takes jobs on contract which can range from 3 to 9 months at a time.

[@coffeepandacat]

LOL that was your take away from this video? As dumb as a sack of flour

[@coffeepandacat]

How about learn some comprehension skills you seem to lack that...