HOW I BECAME A CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENTIST With A Biology Degree (Laboratory Technologist) + Tips

[@xx112267]

My experience which may help people. I graduated with a biology degree (3.5gpa with micro and immuno background) and applied to a lot of research tech positions in Ohio (processing jobs are also a great gateway.) This step is probably the hardest because you need to get your foot in the door as soon as possible. Phlebotomy jobs are good if you only have smaller hospitals around or that your trying to apply for a program. Get a hospital job and transfer with in js way easier than applying to a job that almost always needs a certification. I worked in an oncology research lab for 2 and a half years before applying to a second shift generalist medical lab technologist in the same hospital. If you are trying to get first shift, it will be extremely difficult without having prior experience and seniority.

[@queentiff9827]

I had my bio degree and interned in fda micro bio lab,there was a long hold on highing at fda so I couldn't even apply. There was only one overnight very low paying lab tech place on ny and at thar time I didn't drive. I ended up getting my masters in research management but they kept me on the admin side. I'm new seeking rn school with hope to get into the clinical side of research

[@clairedaniel7692]

Thank you soooo much for this video! I just graduated with a B.S. in Micro/Cell Biology and I was scared that I wouldn't be able to pursue a lob job without a Master's/PhD. Getting CLS certified is definitely in my future. I can't wait to work alongside people like you!

[@RisaB]

You’re welcome & congratulations on your graduation! 🎉 I’m glad this video was able to give you a little insight on getting I to this career. Good luck on your certification and keep me updated on your journey!

[@rarab22]

Legit just gave me hope! I am finishing my last semester of undergrad and i will now have a BS in Biology as well. It would be great if I can get a CLS job without the certification, I need out of retail to help my fam here in the states and overseas financially, especially with the pandemic. Thank you so much for sharing!

[@RisaB]

I am so glad I could help! I'm sure you'll be able to find job, start looking now :)

[@Godsdaughter47]

@@RisaB Did you often run into the issue of still only finding job postings where they all require a certificate even though your state does require it???…

[@RisaB]

Hey! No I didn’t since I only applied to jobs that didn’t have it listed as a requirement in the job listed. In this video I show examples of how I find jobs that don’t require certification ☺️ kzbin.info/www/bejne/rX3df5qXn65-mpI

[@Godsdaughter47]

@@RisaB girl you are the bomb !!! Thank you !

[@RisaB]

You’re welcome ! ☺️

[@FaithUpjohn]

I just have to say... you are gorgeous girl 😍

[@RisaB]

Thank you so much !! 😭💕

[@pushthelimit3728]

Thank you, this was very helpful. I recently got hired as a Medical Laboratory Scientist in Houston and I’m very nervous to start. This made me feel a bit better

[@RisaB]

No problem! & Congratulations!! I'm sure everything with go great for you and good luck 🥳

[@243monpaysheart-gachette-f5]

What did you do to become MLS? I’m in human biology major

[@pushthelimit3728]

@@243monpaysheart-gachette-f5 Hi! I actually have a Masters degree in toxicology which helped a lot, but it is absolutely not necessary. The best think you can do is get as much lab experience now while you're in school and you could possibly get hired as a Tech or Scientist after, but you will be required to get a certification such the ASCP. I would suggest asking if there is a student lab position open at your university which is what I did.

[@emilycsikos8639]

Did you get certified or did you land the job with your degree? I’m also applying in Houston rn and it’s tough out here!

[@RisaB]

Hopefully this video helps! I was also a biology major kzbin.info/www/bejne/hp25ZGiIgMisjbM

[@yahawahsendtimewarrior2241]

I also love Science and watching you just gave me the courage to just go for it. Love to see my Israelite sisters in their highest intelligence. Shalawam and I pray you are continuing in greatness!

[@RisaB]

Omg I’m so glad 😭 & Thank you so much! Good luck with whatever path you choose to do, I know you’ll kill it 🙌🏾

[@iamroslynne]

Very helpful video. This encouraged me to pursue my dreams 😊. I'm in the same situation, bachelor's in Biology, no CLS cert, and minimal lab experience outside of college.

[@RisaB]

You've got this! I'm so glad this video helped and please keep me updated on your journey! ☺

[@pscih7149]

Risa, congrats to you! This video was very inspiring! I'll graduate next May with my degree in Biochemistry and Biotechnology. I'll be doing a lab assistant internship this summer. It's my hope that I can apply to 100 CLS jobs and get one of them without my certification. Beautiful to see that you did it, thank you for the awesome insightful video. I def subscribed after this.

[@alisonm8319]

I’m literally in the same boat as you were!! How crazy. So glad I found this video

[@RisaB]

I hope it helped !

[@meliaromine6495]

Thank you so much for the information!!! I’m currently applying for jobs without certification but I have enough biology/ chemistry courses for the position. I was worried that I wouldn’t have a chance, but you gave me hope 😭🙏🏾

[@RisaB]

You’re so welcome! I’m really glad it helped. It takes awhile of applying but can definitely be done ☺️ good luck!

[@percolettivercetti3910]

Did you find anything?

[@candicedacres3476]

Thank you for this video it really help me. I have a bachelor in biology and I also work as a lab tech in the chemistry department at my college . I wanted to go to nursing school but somewhere down the line I didn’t wanted to do that career path no more. Then I started looking in CLT but to be honest I’m not sure if I wanted to go through school another 4 years.

[@RisaB]

I'm so glad! Depending on the STEM degree (biology being one of them) it's hard to find a path besides the main ones that you hear about! Definitely browse some job listings in your area (or even look into a certificate) , I have faith you'll find something that peaks your interest!

[@da012best]

George Washington university has a MLS program for students that has a biology degree in biology the program is online only a year and a half I think..after you finish with the program also doing your clinicals you can sit for the ASCP for MLS

[@da012best]

* bachelor degree in biology

[@jovansiacsmatthew]

@@da012best hi dear, did you complete the program? If yes, can you shed some light please

[@isabellaq9909]

So well articulated! Thank you

[@RisaB]

Thank you! 😊

[@Chuck.Mast3r]

As a recent Chemical Engineering graduate I had a concentration in Biochemical Engineering, have you heard of anyone who pivoted to CLS without a life science focused degree? I don't have any lab experience outside of college classes really. Would a postbac/secondary degree program be my only viable option to get some of my missing prereqs for a CLS program?

[@crazyangel198]

I have a health science degree with an option in administration. I went to nursing school, but I failed. I did a lot of hospital volunteering, so I still have tons of medical knowledge and terminology. I was going to see if I can get into the research side like CRA, CTC, CTA. I was looking for job opportunities and stumbled onto CLS. I'm working a desk job, but I dislike it, so I'm continue to apply and see where I can go. Thank you for the insight.

[@mollyo7923]

I’m a high school senior and wanted to be a pharmacist, but the financial needs for pharmacy school overwhelmed me so much :( then I found out about CLS. Currently thinking about getting a BS in biochem then maybe heading to get a BS for MLS also... not so sure yet. Thanks for the helpful video!!

[@prettyprettypretty3648]

Don’t do pharmacy, the career is going down hill

[@briannabee4284]

Thanks so much for sharing! This video helped me more than I could ever put into words!

[@RisaB]

You're welcome! I'm so glad it helped! ☺️

[@gabrielle1962]

You are so beautiful!!! Congratulations and thanks for giving back with this information ☺️

[@RisaB]

Thank you so much !! 😭 & no problem at all ☺️

[@LoujeinElkhalis]

Heyy! What did you search under in regard to job titles and companies/research lab? I graduated with a bachelor's in biology from UVA this past May, but I cannot seem to find an MLS/MLT job that does not require ASCP certifications in the DMV area. Anyu tips?

[@RisaB]

Hi, I go into detail about searching and finding jobs that don’t require certification in this video. Hope it helps! kzbin.info/www/bejne/rX3df5qXn65-mpI

[@lawrence2992]

Hello! I’m about to graduate with a Public Health degree B.S and I have a Natural Sciences associates from my transfer college. My Public Health degree is in the Social and Behavioral Sciences department, but overlaps with nursing science prerequisites. Like you, my track was to eventually apply to an accelerated nursing program. Would employers be open to hiring me with these degrees? Also, California seems pretty strict on lab job requirements…So, alternatively, for ASCP certification, is it possible to take the second route by doing an MLT program, and just finish off some post-bachelor requirements for certification and licensure? (I mostly need to fill in for chemistry). Or would my degree be a problem here as well? Thank you!

[@garrettgeisendorfer]

Exploring options and this helps, thank you!

[@RisaB]

I'm glad this helped !

[@Taylor-cx7cp]

I’m in my last year of undergrad my major is biology with a minor in chemistry and I am sooo glad I came across your video

[@jerry3900]

I hate chemistry so much it makes me want to drop out :,(

[@Taylor-cx7cp]

@@jerry3900 I hate it too 🤣 I swear when I took Organic chem I wanted to cry

[@RisaB]

I'm so glad my videos can help ☺️

[@RisaB]

Chemistry was literally my least favorite subject (along with physics) throughout my entire undergrad, props to you !! Lol

[@RisaB]

I felt the exact same !

[@lancej7765]

Hi Risa ! Future Cal Stat Dominguez CLS/MLT student here and I was wondering if you had any advice concerning the clinical side of a CLS/MLT program. My program has you apply for the 1 year clinical, but I'm worried that it might be hard for me to get in since it seems that everyone that does has years of accessioning/phlebotomy experience. I have 1 year before applying to clinical but I'm scared I won't land the interview. So my question is one, what did you do to gain experience (ex. become CPT, Accessioner, work part time) before clinical and two, did you apply to other clinical programs besides the one you were in (and if so, where)?

[@RisaB]

Hi Lance! I actually answer these questions in this video! I never attended a CLS/MLT program, I have a biology degree. And the only lab experience I had prior to getting my job was from my biology program. I go more depth about this in this video and other videos on my channel as well. Hope this helps!

[@alexsandrasantos8994]

Do you know which university or college I can find the pos graduation is clinical laboratory science? I am au pair in US and I need to stay studying first to have the status of students and then try any internship, cause I don’t have permission or visa to work. Thank you great video

[@RisaB]

Hi! Your best bet would be to use Google. I don’t really have any recommendations since I didn’t attend a CLS program post grad. This site may help www.naacls.org/Find-a-Program.aspx

[@FaithUpjohn]

When are you going to make a video explaining why you changed from nursing to CLS!!?

[@RisaB]

Sorry it took so long, it'll be up sometime this month!

[@vikiluch99]

Thank you 🙏 If I have master of public health in Epidemiology (BS in medicine) from Russia. Can I find some job as a CLS in USA. Or like a lab tech?

[@RisaB]

Hi! I would probably say it’s possible if you can show on your resume that you are familiar with basic lab equipment/procedures ☺️

[@gcp4458]

Thank you for the video alone!! I appreciate it as someone w similar career interests thx

[@RisaB]

You're welcome! ☺️

[@pachiayang3160]

Thank you for the video. I'm going into the CLS program soon. ❤

[@RisaB]

Good luck!! I would love to hear how it goes!

[@juliaparsons556]

Thank you so much for this presentation- it’s really helpful. I’m a mature biology undergraduate. 🙏

[@RisaB]

I’m glad it could help ☺️

[@amandaluvzu22]

1. You’re sooo pretty! 😍😍 2. I’m not interested in cls, BUT I am majoring in biology do go in to dentistry, so can you please share tips on how to succeed in a biology major, how you paced yourself each semester, etc??

[@RisaB]

Thank you so much ! 😭 & I just uploaded a video with my semester tips for you! 😊

[@amandaluvzu22]

@@RisaB thank youu!! I’ll go check it out

[@lolaaox_8923]

Hi, love your video 💕 Im from London 🇬🇧 and I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Biomedical Science. Im currently working for a Virology lab. One of my goals in the future is to move to Canada or the states and work as a Lab technician/scientist What’s your advice for my situation? xo

[@omotundeokafor8475]

Hello Rissa, I ve a qtn. As an international student, do I have to write an exam or register with hcpc to work in the UK?

[@diaryofawimpycollegegirl5149]

Wow just beautiful 🥺

[@RisaB]

Thank you 😊

[@lemonlimesnout]

I also became a CLS without a CLS degree, I majored in Micro through the Route 1 in CA. It can be done but getting accepted is pretty competitive.

[@santigoldpantheon9148]

Why do you mean by route 1? I am inCA also

[@azucarmorenita1]

Loved this video Thank you. Also, your dress or blouse is super cute.

[@RisaB]

Thank you!! ☺️

[@TimTim__]

I’m doing Community and Pubic Health Science major. Do I also fall in the list to work as MLS?

[@libertyonia3453]

You're so pretty! Awesome video :-)

[@RisaB]

Thank you so much!! 😊

[@egbeetah4032]

I am trying to become a lab tech but applying to programs is confusing

[@harold1733]

Super well put together. Lemme guess, HTX?

[@RisaB]

Thank you!! & Baltimore, Maryland 😊

[@LoujeinElkhalis]

Also, how do I find labs that do not require a certification?

[@quasimojo7252]

Hi sister how can we order the book online? Do you recommend any books

[@JoseRicardoRamirezFernandez]

Did they ASCP contact your employeer to certified they sign your training forms?

[@RisaB]

No because I live in a state that doesn’t require an ASCP at all jobs. I don’t have an ASCP license.

[@athickie]

Very helpful video thank you 😊

[@RisaB]

You’re welcome 😊 I'm glad it helped!

[@RMNBProductions]

Needed this video

[@RisaB]

Glad it helped ☺️

[@estelamino6356]

THANKS for sharing

[@isabellaetomchi7523]

Can i do my masters in canada with statement of resut?

[@riyapatel2744]

Where do you work currently ? Can you suggest me the colleges that has masters degree in clinical laboratory scientist? Soo grateful if you help me in this

[@ashantiflycoin6487]

Hi Augusta university has a master program, George Washington in dc has one as well i believe and they have a complete online program. My advice you really just need the clinical portion to become certified. So you can get this with a bachelors. Rutgers offers the first and only phd program in clinical lab science so check them out as well.

[@pachiayang3160]

Very helpful!

[@RisaB]

Thank you! I'm glad it helped!

[@angieruffin4100]

How many biology classes do I need to take to become a cls

[@mayonishukla6421]

Hi Risa, can you make a video about resume building for CLS

[@RisaB]

Hi, yes I’ll try and make a video about this :)

[@nhlakanipho4880]

Does Clinical Technology same as Clinical Laboratory?

[@RisaB]

Hi, I’m not sure of your question but “clinical laboratory technology” is one thing

[@grantbarnes3678]

Thanks. Which general area did you move to?

[@RisaB]

Hey, if you mean states I am in the Maryland area

[@sevenl8599]

Can you do a Hesi tip video. 😊 thanks

[@theigbotruth]

In which state do you reside?

[@RisaB]

Hi, I live in Maryland

[@brikya9555]

Why did you choose CLS over nursing?

[@RisaB]

The main reasons are loss of interest/doubts and not wanting to add on to my student debt. I'll definitely do a more detailed video!

[@jamiesanders482]

@@RisaB Please do an updated video on this cause I am trying to deciede btween nursing and cls/mlt

[@garrettgroener2996]

Do you have a list of study materials

[@RisaB]

Hi, a list of study materials regarding what ? I have a video of how I studied in school if that's what you. Let me know :)

[@user-tv9dy3vc1u]

is their a gpa requirement?

[@RisaB]

My job didn't ask for my GPA when I applied, so for me no.

[@user-tv9dy3vc1u]

@@RisaB thank you. I always wonder because like for research jobs I have seen they will have minimum gpa requirement. Thank you for the video

[@estelamino6356]

Hello .what's is.CL

[@RisaB]

Hi! I'm assuming you mean what does CLS stand for and its just short for "Clinical Laboratory Scientist" , or CLT for "Clinical Laboratory Technologist" :)

[@estelamino6356]

Gracias x Compartir

[@RisaB]

You're welcome!

[@nhungnguyen-pi9lf]

Hay quá

[@charnaeyoung9815]

Yeah so my state of Tennessee requires licensure to be an MLS which practically requires a BS in MLS. But I have a BS in Biology and am in MLT school. So when I get my MLS certification I’m leaving the state. 🤣 Maybe I’ll come back 4,000 hours later. Smh.

[@RisaB]

Yeah it sucks that every state is different 😩 Hopefully you'll fall in love with another state lol. Keep me updated!

[@kishorgowda1324]

Can you get job

[@mirasobad9799]

I was doing psychology but I’ve always loved science growing up so im thinking about switching my major

[@RisaB]

Really, do you have an idea of what you want to switch too ? If you do switch I wouldn't recommend general biology (or gen chem) as a major lol, I would recommend something like cell biology, molecular biology, biochem, etc. Hope that helps some!

[@natashagates6280]

That’s what I’m doing

[@veronicahaney6005]

What about Neuroscience? It's a more science-based major than psychology, and still centers on the brain

[@natashagates6280]

Thank you. I’m applying to my masters program in human biology & want to work in a laboratory 🥼

[@RisaB]

You're welcome & good luck with all your applications! I'm sure everything will go well ! Also, what is your undergrad degree in ?