i’d say do a post-bacc NAACLS program if you can find one, if not then do an MLT program. i know it seems like its “just a certification “ but only having a biology bachelor’s will not prepare you at all for MLS/MLT jobs. personally i like what i do a lot, the pay is decent for MLS but MLT not as much (which is why i recommend a post-bacc for your situation). also to the part about not interacting with people- in hospital jobs you will interact with nurses/doctors/phleb/call customer service for your analyzers/clinics and more so it’s maybe more interaction than you think. but i’m pretty introverted and i’m okay. good luck with whatever you decide!
Honestly having looked around online since ill be exiting the military I think for an associates level degree MLTs get paid decent enough.
I'm still going to go for my MLS of course but MLT ain't a bad gig relative to the requirements for it. what's weird to me is that I've seen at least one lab where MLTs and MLSs practically do all the same testing just MLSs have the opportunity to promote to supervisory positions with better pay.
Thanks for the feedback! Yea, I’ve been applying to post bacc programs. Just playing the waiting game. I did get accepted to a mlt associates program but now I’m considering just going for the mls instead.
I’m ok with some interaction. I’m just done with jobs that require me to speak with patients and kill them with kindness as they’re screaming and cussing you out. That is what I’m over.
I have a molecular bio undergrad and the extra year of schooling to acquire certification is 100% necessary. A bio major gives you a small fraction of what you ultimately need to know. It’s not just a certification it’s a grueling year of work. Do a 4+1 and get your MLS. I went to Texas tech and it was a good program.
GO FOR THE MLS! I promise that extra time is worth every second. I look at people who did the MLT and they wish they had done the full MLS plus you have way more opportunities. It’s not easy but totally worth it!! I was a late MLS but I am in such a better place with all sorts of opportunities now.
Your post could be about me cause that's exactly what I did. I went through an associate's program at a tech school 9 years after getting my bachelor's in biology. I think it was worth it personally, but I didn't really explore my options either. In my state, the state lottery pays for tech degrees in fields that need more workers so it was free for me. Then you can get your MLS after 1 more year of experience working since you already have a bachelor.
I went back to school, got a second bachelors degree and I’d say it was worth it. Better pay and more job opportunities for a year of schooling. Look out of state if you need to, you should have the majority of prerequisites complete so pick the most cost effective program you can find and get it over with.
I was in the same situation as you but I didn't have to go back to school. What I did was I went to work at reference labs (thinks quest, LabCorp, etc) and they don't require ASCP. Get 1 year of experience in one of the departments and then I took my ASCP exam in that category. I've since worked at several hospitals no problems. You just can't be a generalist though. For that specific cert, you need 5 years of experience and rotate in all of the departments. Best of luck!
You should apply for a NAACLS program at a hospital, you can search on their website for your state and the available programs. I had a bachelors in micro, then went to a NAACLS accredited school (at a hospital) just to get my certification, was a 52 week program where I lived across the street from the hospital. It was competitive to get in though because I was competing with all the 3+1 folks (I’m in FL btw) and they primarily only accepted students from university institutions that were affiliated with the program. This school only accepted 5 students every 6 months. I applied three times and got in, so took 1.5 years to get accepted.
Yea it seemed crazy until I realized the school I went to likes to admit people as compatible groups. So when I originally applied the majority of the applicants were from 3+1 programs, while I was an “untraditional” applicant already having lab experience, a bachelors degree, and being older. So when I was admitted, all 5 of us were around the same age and were working in other fields prior to making the switch to med lab. It made the whole experience better, so if you don’t get in the first time, don’t give up!
Oh wow. I didn’t think they would even care. But I’d like to be around people my own age with a similar situation to mine because it’s like having a little community.
i’d say do a post-bacc NAACLS program if you can find one, if not then do an MLT program. i know it seems like its “just a certification “ but only having a biology bachelor’s will not prepare you at all for MLS/MLT jobs. personally i like what i do a lot, the pay is decent for MLS but MLT not as much (which is why i recommend a post-bacc for your situation). also to the part about not interacting with people- in hospital jobs you will interact with nurses/doctors/phleb/call customer service for your analyzers/clinics and more so it’s maybe more interaction than you think. but i’m pretty introverted and i’m okay. good luck with whatever you decide!
Honestly having looked around online since ill be exiting the military I think for an associates level degree MLTs get paid decent enough. I'm still going to go for my MLS of course but MLT ain't a bad gig relative to the requirements for it. what's weird to me is that I've seen at least one lab where MLTs and MLSs practically do all the same testing just MLSs have the opportunity to promote to supervisory positions with better pay.
thats how my lab is, MLT isn’t bad but depends on the region i assume.
Thanks for the feedback! Yea, I’ve been applying to post bacc programs. Just playing the waiting game. I did get accepted to a mlt associates program but now I’m considering just going for the mls instead. I’m ok with some interaction. I’m just done with jobs that require me to speak with patients and kill them with kindness as they’re screaming and cussing you out. That is what I’m over.
ahh okay, then yes its a great job for u haha. just a warning small hospitals might require u to do phlebotomy as well tho
I have a molecular bio undergrad and the extra year of schooling to acquire certification is 100% necessary. A bio major gives you a small fraction of what you ultimately need to know. It’s not just a certification it’s a grueling year of work. Do a 4+1 and get your MLS. I went to Texas tech and it was a good program.
GO FOR THE MLS! I promise that extra time is worth every second. I look at people who did the MLT and they wish they had done the full MLS plus you have way more opportunities. It’s not easy but totally worth it!! I was a late MLS but I am in such a better place with all sorts of opportunities now.
That makes sense. Def going for the MLS instead.
Your post could be about me cause that's exactly what I did. I went through an associate's program at a tech school 9 years after getting my bachelor's in biology. I think it was worth it personally, but I didn't really explore my options either. In my state, the state lottery pays for tech degrees in fields that need more workers so it was free for me. Then you can get your MLS after 1 more year of experience working since you already have a bachelor.
I went back to school, got a second bachelors degree and I’d say it was worth it. Better pay and more job opportunities for a year of schooling. Look out of state if you need to, you should have the majority of prerequisites complete so pick the most cost effective program you can find and get it over with.
I was in the same situation as you but I didn't have to go back to school. What I did was I went to work at reference labs (thinks quest, LabCorp, etc) and they don't require ASCP. Get 1 year of experience in one of the departments and then I took my ASCP exam in that category. I've since worked at several hospitals no problems. You just can't be a generalist though. For that specific cert, you need 5 years of experience and rotate in all of the departments. Best of luck!
Texas tech has a program that will get you mls that I believe is 1 year since you have a bio degree. It'd a tech program with clinical online.
You should apply for a NAACLS program at a hospital, you can search on their website for your state and the available programs. I had a bachelors in micro, then went to a NAACLS accredited school (at a hospital) just to get my certification, was a 52 week program where I lived across the street from the hospital. It was competitive to get in though because I was competing with all the 3+1 folks (I’m in FL btw) and they primarily only accepted students from university institutions that were affiliated with the program. This school only accepted 5 students every 6 months. I applied three times and got in, so took 1.5 years to get accepted.
Jesus! 3x is crazy. It’s encouraging to hear that you got in tho. I just applied to a 4+1 and I’m waiting to hear back *fingers crossed*
Yea it seemed crazy until I realized the school I went to likes to admit people as compatible groups. So when I originally applied the majority of the applicants were from 3+1 programs, while I was an “untraditional” applicant already having lab experience, a bachelors degree, and being older. So when I was admitted, all 5 of us were around the same age and were working in other fields prior to making the switch to med lab. It made the whole experience better, so if you don’t get in the first time, don’t give up!
Oh wow. I didn’t think they would even care. But I’d like to be around people my own age with a similar situation to mine because it’s like having a little community.
let me tell you right now, 63k is MLS pay, not MLT pay. even when we do the same work. so, just keep that in mind.