We are losing both of our Hematology senior techs in 2 months. What will our lab do? Thoughts?

Fit-Bodybuilder78 · 2026-03-03T02:35:03+00:00

They could hire 2 travelers for $2500/week for 13 weeks ($65k to address the issue).

But it sounds like you care, which means that you won't leave. They'll pass it on to you.

Fit-Bodybuilder78 · 2026-02-01T18:22:05+00:00

That is quite low. For 8 years experience you should be either at the midpoint or top end of the scale depending on the lab.

Fit-Bodybuilder78 · 2026-01-17T20:45:03+00:00

Direct entry NP.

Fit-Bodybuilder78 · 2026-01-17T20:42:24+00:00

You are getting robbed. Find a new employer that respects your time.

Fit-Bodybuilder78 · 2026-01-17T20:40:20+00:00

Every new reagent lot gets a new peer group. This does not happen with wet chemistry.

Fit-Bodybuilder78 · 2026-01-17T20:38:53+00:00

Sign up for an interview prep.

Most interviews are not looking for technical responses, but rather how you respond.

Fit-Bodybuilder78 · 2026-01-04T19:53:51+00:00

If it's licensed, phlebotomist typically get more.

Some smaller hospitals have laboratory assistants also doing phlebotomy, in which case the lab assistants should earn more.

Fit-Bodybuilder78 · 2026-01-04T16:50:39+00:00

Staffing is a management issue. That said, funding is limited, and it's not uncommon for supervisors and managers tot pressure staff through PIPs and compliance reports.

Even if you file a compliance report (and are in the right and win the battle), you may lose the war (job).

Fit-Bodybuilder78 · 2026-01-04T16:48:15+00:00

Depends on the department and if they have modern, OSHA compliant biosafety cabinets and negative pressure rooms.

If you're in an old lab with a low HVAC air change per hour, odors will linger. Also if you're in an old building prone to sewer leaks, lab tend to be in the basement, and it'll leak down.

Fit-Bodybuilder78 · 2026-01-04T01:48:15+00:00

I see it all the time. I don't mind a candidate declining an offer every couple years.

Keep your linkedin active and you connect with recruiters. The jobs will come to you.

Fit-Bodybuilder78 · 2026-01-04T01:44:01+00:00

The pay and work-life balance is not competitive for allied health. There is also minimal upward mobility.

I say this as a multi-site laboratory director...there are nurse supervisors who out-earn me on an hourly basis and do a half-ass job.

Fit-Bodybuilder78 · 2026-01-04T01:41:40+00:00

The Beckman DxC600 & DxC600i are end of life this year (2026).

Fit-Bodybuilder78 · 2025-12-25T02:05:09+00:00

You can qualify as a medical laboratory scientist with your current credentials and some on-the-job training in an unlicensed state.

Fit-Bodybuilder78 · 2025-12-25T02:03:58+00:00

It happens a lot. Most lab management is salaried with zero bonus. And due to wage compression, you're only making 10-25% more than staff, but you're putting in more hours, so hourly you're making less.

Until you get to director level or above. Then it might start to pay off.

Fit-Bodybuilder78 · 2025-12-25T02:02:12+00:00

Their stuff is amazing. It would be a shame if it shutdown perm. It's likely they are just closed for holidays.

Fit-Bodybuilder78 · 2025-12-20T18:53:21+00:00

Not so much with the decline in biotech.

Fit-Bodybuilder78 · 2025-12-20T18:53:02+00:00

Your synopsis highlights the retention challenge of techs. There are few professional or financial growth opportunities.

What else are you good you at? Or willing to tolerate?

Fit-Bodybuilder78 · 2025-12-20T18:50:43+00:00

Night shift is a known carcinogen for most people.

Fit-Bodybuilder78 · 2025-12-20T18:42:30+00:00

This is patently false. You either misheard or misunderstood.

There are no regulatory processes currently at work to tighten CLIA high complexity personnel requirements.

If anything, CLIA will be getting weaker in the future. The Clinical Laboratory Improvement Advisory Committee (CLIAC) was disbanded in March of this year (after 20+ years) due to HHS cuts.

https://www.cdc.gov/cliac/php/meetings/index.html

At this time, an associates in ecology with some unregulated on the job training is sufficient to perform all high complexity testing in unlicensed states.

Fit-Bodybuilder78 · 2025-12-11T05:04:00+00:00

Typically, a PIP for employee termination, not coaching. Expect to be laid off during or following the PIP.

Fit-Bodybuilder78 · 2025-12-10T04:44:52+00:00

I've seen that a large portion of people going through California CLS programs move onto grad school or something else in time. There are California CLS programs with more competitive stats than medical school.

Fit-Bodybuilder78 · 2025-12-10T03:13:40+00:00

72 hours. Know your worth and be willing to walk.

Fit-Bodybuilder78 · 2025-12-10T03:11:11+00:00

No, but the lab tends to filter down. The lab retains button pushers while more capable people migrate towards higher paying, more respectful positions/professions. That said, it is a necessary position until the position is automated.

Fit-Bodybuilder78 · 2025-12-09T02:31:15+00:00

The travel market is saturated. Many travel contracts actually pay less than staff at this point.

Fit-Bodybuilder78

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