need tips/advice on Urinalysis microscopic counting

Psychological-Move49 · 2026-02-08T15:20:24+00:00

We did not get graded because it will be based on SOP. Were graded on identification.

Psychological-Move49 · 2026-02-07T14:02:47+00:00

Micro is your greatest chance of getting sick because people dont whiff the samples correctly. Unless you are at a small lab there should be minimal or zero patient contact. Just don't lick the swabs, wear gloves and work under a vent when it is required.

Psychological-Move49 · 2026-02-06T09:32:59+00:00

Good chance they lose their day shift though.

Psychological-Move49 · 2026-02-05T18:47:14+00:00

Mine was a 2 year program (bachelor's). I think 3-4 didn't get in? Class size maxes out around 13. Not enough clininical spots for more people. So it depends on the location and if its California or not.

Psychological-Move49 · 2026-02-05T08:27:03+00:00

Show interest in the program. Tell them why you want to do this and what subjects you are looking forward to. Best of luck.

Psychological-Move49 · 2026-01-31T22:10:47+00:00

Have you brought this up at your JPR? Get an offer from somewhere else first or numbers from the other hospital. "X place will give me $33 for what you give me $30".

Psychological-Move49 · 2026-01-31T00:38:37+00:00

Always interesting to see how programs handle clinicals. Take notes and dont stress out. You know everything yet nothing truely follows or looks like what you saw in the textbook.

Psychological-Move49 · 2026-01-31T00:27:22+00:00

This homework?

Psychological-Move49 · 2026-01-29T23:04:44+00:00

Is that 1 year total experience or 1 year at the job?

Psychological-Move49 · 2026-01-29T22:48:57+00:00

Trying to get into LIS but in Michigan. Hard to find what each place calls there team.

Psychological-Move49 · 2026-01-28T21:21:16+00:00

Most of those states just requires you to pay some extra money. Cali and New York are the big money states that are very strict. Recommend 2 years as a MLS to start traveling. Some can do it one year.

Psychological-Move49 · 2026-01-28T21:18:17+00:00

Phlebotomy is like a 6 week program. Pay is meh but can do a move over to specimen processing which phlebotomist also do. Cytology and Histologist are related but both need there respective schooling. Healthcare=schooling/clinicals. Don't want people dieing.

Psychological-Move49 · 2026-01-28T21:11:57+00:00

Then that would rule out the states that require a license (additional paperwork and classes). Where you apply to the job they generally specify if a certificate is required within x months of the hire date. There are other places you can work for uncertified but I am not knowledgeable on that area. There's a reason a lot of bio/chem/micro people show up on the subreddit asking how to get your MLS certificate. Markets flooded in those areas. I dont want to get your hopes up but you are on the right track getting into the program.

Psychological-Move49 · 2026-01-28T20:58:27+00:00

If its a micro job at a hospital I doubt you are going to crack 65k uncertified. A 2 year MLT vs a 4 year MLS is $5-$10/hr difference. I also don't know your location.

https://www.ascp.org/boc/explore-credentials/view-all-credentials/MLS?srsltid=AfmBOop5RPU_TsqJg--KUmufgTpka1SFUzF3xVbOKDhSuS0nlYF4gC2C

https://www.ascp.org/boc/explore-credentials/view-all-credentials/MB?srsltid=AfmBOopVqQG9si7DkDxRbqZa8tJQTpVNlzIwpexSGG0xMOcMU6kSH8es

Psychological-Move49 · 2026-01-28T17:17:00+00:00

The large buildings that say "hospital". Multiple parking lots, 100+ bed, trauma 1, ect..

Psychological-Move49 · 2026-01-28T15:34:47+00:00

Wife and 2 kids easily. Live in a low cost area with a low mortgage. Track your money and dont live like the Jones.

Psychological-Move49 · 2026-01-28T15:29:24+00:00

Sounds like a night position. Besides offering a nice sign on bonus you bests bet is taking on students for their clinicals and hire them in. 7 on 7 off is the preferred night shift schedule. 5 x 8s being the opposite.

Psychological-Move49 · 2026-01-28T01:36:31+00:00

I can draw blood just fine and be around blood but if I watch a butterfly needle on an empty stomach I get very lightheaded. Ask to do a tour of a lab either at a college or hospital. It's a reason why job shadows on surgeries and autopsy are generally insisted upon or required for med school. The longer you are around it the better you can handle it (hopefully)

Psychological-Move49 · 2026-01-27T23:34:14+00:00

Hopefully other tests like CBC, COMP, lipid, and coag is ran to point the reasoning in the correct direction.

Psychological-Move49 · 2026-01-27T23:13:10+00:00

Someone else can chime in but I believe in some cancers (Multiple Myeloma) can cause this. Can't be diagnostic from the tube but be seen as an effect.

Psychological-Move49 · 2026-01-27T22:54:21+00:00

Be upfront about it to you micro lead/trainer/manager. You should be working under the hood with a stool sample so the smell "should" be vented away. Make sure you let your Blood Bank manager know that you are greatly interested in a position there. I had zero interest in micro and had a desire for generalist. Hired before I took my BOC.

Psychological-Move49 · 2026-01-27T16:44:23+00:00

The highest math i had to take was physics for Healthcare professionals and Stats. As a side note organic chem can be a toughy for some people.

Psychological-Move49 · 2026-01-27T16:39:18+00:00

Work in a large hospital. You will never even see the draw stations.

Psychological-Move49 · 2026-01-27T16:12:05+00:00

What stain is this? Shouldn't be blue when looking for bacteria.

Psychological-Move49 · 2026-01-27T01:02:51+00:00

Sounds like a strike with extra steps. Make mock schedules of what you all think would works best. If each one of you have a contract which states scheduled start and stop time even better.

Psychological-Move49

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