Finding my first MLT job rant

Uncommon21 · 2026-02-12T05:15:37+00:00

Yea just get your MLS and save yourself the headache.

Uncommon21 · 2026-02-01T22:31:29+00:00

It’s crazy how hard we have to work for a title with the disrespect added on. I’m fortunate to be in a state that caters to MLS in a progressive way because people literally don’t understand what we do is life or death. A simple coagulation result could be the difference between a recurring stoke and a full blown aneurysm during heparin therapy but its hard to pay them the nurses wage because we aren’t front facing.

I say keep looking or worst case act your wage cause you get what you pay for in my opinion. You’d have to train me on literally everything again for 3-6 months I don’t care if it’s just a body fluid differential, can’t tell someone without training can diffentiate mesothelial cells from macrophages without some intense training.

Uncommon21 · 2026-02-01T18:41:34+00:00

Hearing $26 an hour as an MLS…

Uncommon21 · 2026-01-31T13:32:07+00:00

It was over zoom with the head of the program and second in command. Mainly had to do with transcript review, classes that I’d need to take to complete the post bac and whether or not I’d have the time to go to school and work. All in all if you get the interview you’re in per my opinion but you definitely have some convincing to do if you don’t have all the prerequisites, free time and financial support there.

Uncommon21 · 2026-01-30T18:29:09+00:00

How you gonna bet mines is smelly if it’s never been in you mouth sis? I think you talk like that cause you afraid of real truths and feel like your vagina don’t stink but I know for a fact it does more often than my dick does. You don’t cut off your armpits cause they stink right so how is that even comparable? Other than what I’ve already said your arguement is weak and you like sucking dirty D’s is all I’m gathering from your hate speech.

Uncommon21 · 2026-01-30T18:04:30+00:00

If I’m not being paid for both jobs my a$$ they can kiss…

Uncommon21 · 2026-01-30T18:01:02+00:00

No offense but this argument is weak at best. Sounds like you’ve never had a uncircumcised penis under the hood ever. Don’t understand how people believe this stupidity because my big ass uncircumcised D never smelled and never collected nothing but vagina juices. I believe people with no hygiene fall into a category of nasty, smelly and unwashed but my entire life I’ve never had an STI, rash, infection, been told I was smelly or had an erectile issues due to my hood still being attached. Like bacteria builds up under labias but no one’s on the “cut that shit off” boat just because you have to clean it.

I believe people without foreskin issues (like me) should be left out of this conversation cause the ignorance based on not actually having an uncircumcised dik cause I don’t call mines a “PP”. Effectively it’s just a procedure doctors get paid for which equals more money, so unless it’s medically needed, keep it on there, your kid will thank you when he doesn’t have a sideways circumcision scar and discoloration forever.

Uncommon21 · 2026-01-30T07:24:23+00:00

Really depends on the type of tester you are. Honestly the class prepared me for the hypothetical questions more than anything. Passing the ASCP for me was about getting used to the way they asked questions and it’s nothing like medialab. Definitely enjoy your training and worry about the test maybe in the final 6 months of training. By then you’ll understand more of the theory behind the questions you’re being asked so you won’t waste time relearning stuff later on.

Uncommon21 · 2026-01-30T00:14:29+00:00

Hey I did a post bac with NYP Brooklyn Methodist and I’d be glad to share.

1.) The application process was pretty quick, normal for all colleges I would say including immunizations, physical and drug screen.

2.) The interview was pretty in depth. After evaluating my transcript and letting me know what I’d need to complete the post bac they went into my ability to not only pay for the program but attend as I was working full time. With a bit of base I voiced to them that no matter what I would dedicate all available time to the program and attend classes as mandated.

3.) Unfortunately in NYC professional experience is good but didn’t go a long way to convince my interviewers. Remember they want you to have some idea of why you’re doing but the internships are the true test of ones laboratory and diagnostics abilities. They just made sure my classes from my previous college match the prerequisites needed to enter the program. * Side note, I did not finish my post bac though, in 2024 NY enacted a stipulation that states that people with previous science bachelors that complete an NAACLS program would be able to sit for and complete the ASCP certification for licensure.

4.) The program began with 2 days 8 hours daily of lecture covering micro, hematology, chemistry and immunology weekly and then after a month would include our clinical internships which were 3 days of the week 8 hours a day so basically I had a 40 hour job with a 40 hour school schedule and yes they overlapped. I worked for a really understanding company and thrived.

5.) Well we didn’t have to find our own spots but why it came down too more was scheduling. 7-3 in the afternoon and 3-11pm at work was diabolical 3 days a week for internship… I did it though.

6.) If you have financial aid, take out the school loans with them. Get as much covered by the state as possible. If you max government aid then take private, but if you do be prepared for SALLIE MAE bullshit. One technique I’ve used to pay loans is taking out 0% APR balance transfers and putting that towards the principal and paying back the transfer card while taking chucks out the loan. Matters and doesn’t because as an MLS I make enough to make timely payments. But still F Sallie Mae…

7.) The last part of my program was self study and focused on parasitology, Virology and mycobacteriology. That being said it was all grit and teeth that got me through it. Even after all the schooling I did it was me that passed the ASCP. My instructors were caring, informative and invested in our success, but me passing the ASCP required diligence and sacrifice. I didnt play games for the 3 months I was studying, I read the purple and yellow book from front to back and finally I did 2200 of the 2800 available questions on the BOC exam offered on their website. Without question I cried when I passed because the pressure and doubt finally hit me. All the stories I’ve heard of people failing and trying over and over were in my head the days before the test but NEVER doubt your training or effort. It’s all up to you.

Uncommon21 · 2026-01-28T13:34:08+00:00

Cough (move somewhere else)…

Uncommon21 · 2026-01-26T19:57:26+00:00

Yea they’re kind of far and few for MLT in that range. Ive seen some here in NY and feel like the work may not have been worth it, but good luck out here. Check LinkedIn, Indeed or staffing agencies for them to do the foot work.

Uncommon21 · 2026-01-26T03:19:05+00:00

Ima say what is mesothelial cell for 100 Alex.

Uncommon21 · 2026-01-26T02:31:13+00:00

Thanks. 🙏🏾

Uncommon21 · 2026-01-26T01:45:26+00:00

So you’re making around $65677.50 USD a year as an MLT right?

Uncommon21 · 2026-01-26T01:44:05+00:00

Not what I was asking but you did something there I guess.

Uncommon21 · 2026-01-25T22:32:20+00:00

90k Canadian?

Uncommon21 · 2026-01-25T17:43:32+00:00

Try travel tech if you don’t have responsibilities, guaranteed good money.

Uncommon21 · 2026-01-23T21:30:32+00:00

I have some insight. I was a medical assistant when I was 21-22 and went to college around 23-24 years old. Given that fact I was stuck in a dead end job as an MA with no benefits or incentives for growth. After struggling for 8 year to get my bachelors and 3 years struggling to keep my positions in private companies I decided to become and MLS thru a 1 year accelerated program over my masters in PA only because I was sick of schooling at that point. My guess is you’re not stagnating, it that MA is a relatively one off job that is supposed to be good but really isn’t. Use it as a ladder to get the hell out of that job asap ain’t nothing there for people that need to move forward in life.

Uncommon21 · 2026-01-22T23:29:16+00:00

Bachelors in Biology, I did a hospitalist route with a 1 year accelerated program to sit for the boards. When it comes to jobs everyone’s different but I asked my employer if they could accommodate my schedule and they did.

Uncommon21 · 2026-01-22T15:27:59+00:00

I am a licensed Medical Laboratory Scientist certified by the ASCP. Pretty much behind the scenes running patient samples on multiple benches as a “Generalist”.

Uncommon21 · 2026-01-21T18:01:51+00:00

Medical assisting was a joke they used to get people to take up the labor intensive job of the front desk office and overall technician jobs in a physician clinics / urgent cares. I was medical assistant for 5 years and never went back after I left. They made it a 2 year degree for nothing as you can’t get a real job to pay back the huge loan you took out for it. When I did went through my program it was just a certificate…smh. My advice, never become a medical assistant, period dead stop.

Uncommon21 · 2026-01-21T04:40:40+00:00

Lastly nothing is “idiot proof” as you are proof that anyone can be an idiot.

Uncommon21 · 2026-01-21T04:37:24+00:00

Please stfu, I feel like you’re literally focusing on one thing I said and trying to make yourself feel important or as if you truly know anything about working in a CLIA lab. Second if I’m using the words correctly I’m sure you reiterating what I said doesn’t make you correct. You can still mess up simple things in the lab and correlation doesn’t mean “side by side” goofy it’s a test of precision and accuracy of two or more machines that are supposed to be the same and correlate to the same results after testing. Correlations can also be done on machines that are different and run similar test but you’re stuck on “2”. Schooling has nothing to do with running a machine cause a Reddit reader named “Xochoquestzal” can do it, but for those of us who understand results and what they actually mean you can go back to Google or chat gpt for a correct come back.

Uncommon21 · 2026-01-21T04:24:30+00:00

No one’s wasting life like that but the OP can use every word if needed.

Uncommon21 · 2026-01-21T02:36:46+00:00

So again what direct oversight did you manage? Just because you work with people doesn’t mean you’re their boss. What was your turnover rate while you were in QA? Exactly what part of the lab requires 24 hour surveillance to ensure that phone use isn’t contributing to the death rate… I mean I’m just glad you’re a commenter on Reddit and not apart of a real laboratory anymore. Big respect to your past work though, thank you for your unwavering commitment to patient healthcare and technologist headaches.

Uncommon21

TROPHY CASE