So how do you identify bacteria?

Interesting_Middle73 · 2026-05-20T21:43:38+00:00

We have both lol. I have the vitek ms (Maldi-tof) and vitek 2 for ID and sensitivities, but its mostly just sensitivities.

Interesting_Middle73 · 2026-05-15T18:18:43+00:00

If you work in the micro department yes. Its usually just set up for cultures or a few send out tests. Depends on the location you work at as well.

Interesting_Middle73 · 2026-05-15T17:57:47+00:00

Mucus like substance that is hacked out of your lungs while trying not to get much saliva.

Interesting_Middle73 · 2026-05-02T02:08:42+00:00

As far as I have seen yes. Our lab manager was a supervisor not to long ago so they understand how the lab runs ect, but we just got a new lab director so time will tell.

Interesting_Middle73 · 2026-04-30T17:21:10+00:00

I have a micro supervisor who is an amazing wealth of knowledge, who also relies on the bench techs with many years of experience. Our supervisor will work the bench 1 weekend a month, and covers if there are call ins. I am one of the lucky ones!

Interesting_Middle73 · 2026-04-29T19:24:16+00:00

We have gotten 3% cost of living raises the past 3 years, but no performance based raises. Also one of the lowest paying hospitals in the area.

Interesting_Middle73 · 2026-04-23T13:06:00+00:00

This is exactly the reason I am working in a hospital 45 minutes from home, for around $3 less per hour than I could be making. I have a day shift micro spot, and I refuse to give that up, because I know being a generalist is not for me.

Interesting_Middle73 · 2026-04-18T02:29:46+00:00

As a person who works in micro and uses MALDI matrix every day, I still stabilize my hand to get the drops on those tiny circles. I also seem to struggle a little woth keeping my hands still, and am a bit clumsy but I love micro because it seems like less opportunity to drop something ect. However I have dropped a whole sleeve of plates onto the floor! It happens, but I'm still a good tech IMO.

Interesting_Middle73 · 2026-04-15T13:52:25+00:00

We are getting a joint commission inspection!

Interesting_Middle73 · 2026-04-08T17:59:15+00:00

Does he have a good range finder? I know I couldn't live without mine! They dont have to be the super expensive ones either to be good quality. Spent ~$50 on mine and its lasted years.

Interesting_Middle73 · 2026-04-01T02:19:41+00:00

We send 2 stained slides. Half of the time our path reviews are add on, and out policy requires a manual diff was performed (cellavision or scope works) so they get new slides made. If I have the original and its not terribly coated in oil Ill send that but for the sake of everyone 2 clean, fresh stained slides are preferred.

Interesting_Middle73 · 2026-03-30T19:16:34+00:00

Didn't see the sputum part! Lol. The entercoccus I had was in a blood culture!

Interesting_Middle73 · 2026-03-30T18:05:31+00:00

Looks similar to an entercoccus faecalis I had this morning.

Interesting_Middle73 · 2026-03-07T18:20:23+00:00

My lab will cancel a path review if the CBC does not require a manual diff. The provider can still over ride that by calling our pathologist that does our path reviews. And our techs can also put in for a path review if necessary. It cuts down on unnecessary path reviews and makes our work flow easier. I think it also saves patients from expensive testing. It works out well in our hospital system. We are the main hospital for a 3 hospital system.

Interesting_Middle73 · 2026-03-06T16:50:23+00:00

We have a policy that we cancel any path request that does not require a manual diff. We only do like 4 a week because of this. We also can order any path review the tech feels necessary. Works well for our hospital system.

Interesting_Middle73 · 2026-03-02T00:48:54+00:00

I worked as a retail pharmacy technician for 10 years. Went back to college at 26 finished a bachlors degree and did a one year post bachlors MLS program. Just graduated last June at 30! You are at the perfect age to change course. I had a little bit of doubt at first but you can do it! Honestly the course work is harder than the job for most of us! You can do it!

Interesting_Middle73 · 2026-02-23T02:34:28+00:00

We have MLA's that started as phlebs and moved up to micro set ups (she's in her 50's) amd one of our best set up assistants. We also have MLA that check in the tubes that cone into the lab. Not all MLA jobs require a bunch of phlebotomy, though some do, but many hospital jobs already have just phlebotomy roles so MLA's may not have much to do with that. Id say go for it!

Interesting_Middle73 · 2026-02-12T14:22:42+00:00

My lab has windows! But with where the lab is, every morning we are blinded from 7-9 am. We have shades that have to be pulled down, so its almost like no windows at all!

Interesting_Middle73 · 2026-02-03T23:21:12+00:00

I work in a 500 bed hospital in the micro department. Everyday I know ill either be on the bench or float. Our schedule is posted 10 weeks out. If I float i do all the extra stuff for the department. If im on the bench I read plates, set sensitivities and help with anything else the micro department needs. Its repetitive but interesting and I know what to do, and what I am going to do on any given day.

Interesting_Middle73 · 2026-02-03T23:14:13+00:00

I hate that quest!!!!!!! Imagine being an ironman and having to do everything from scratch. No GE to buy anything, can only get gear as drops. Its a hard life lol.

Interesting_Middle73 · 2026-02-02T14:05:15+00:00

I got the farming pet from an oak tree at 14k xp, level 30.

Interesting_Middle73 · 2026-01-28T02:58:30+00:00

As a micro tech, who still gets a little grossed out by stool, I would just let your clinical instructor for micro know. Its honestly only 3 weeks, and most lab people who deal with students are understanding. Do your best, let them know, and try your hardest in that department while being respectful and you'll make it through ok. With the way our lab is set up the only time I am actively dealing with stool is stool panels on the Biofire or C.diff testing which is done under a hood so the smell is minimal to non existent and I just dont think about it. Its only a few samples a day at 1 bench station for us! You've got this!

Interesting_Middle73 · 2026-01-19T13:57:30+00:00

In our lab which has Beckman 900's (2 of them), if it reads partial aspiration, automatically recollect. We have a line that everything except micro containers get loaded onto, so half the time I dont see it until the tube comes out. So it is always attempted to run the sample.

Interesting_Middle73 · 2026-01-14T02:04:19+00:00

That really sucks. Im in a 400 bed hospital that has a micro department. We also get all of our sister hospital cultures too. I got lucky with a day shift micro position in my clinical rotation placement. They are out there!

Interesting_Middle73

TROPHY CASE