I work in veterinary medicine. 7 year old German shepherd. Very sad to see.

Are local and state legislators already allowing companies or hospitals to use AI in diagnosing patient cases ? Not educated in this area. Like to know what your thoughts are. Please be nice. Just shocked how this already is happening on the clinical side.

Does anyone here work in El Paso? I just moved here and it looks like there’s almost no jobs for an MLS here. Tons of hospitals and 0 job postings that I’ve found. I know it’s a long shot but if anyone works here and knows they have an opening in their lab I would HIGHLY appreciate it!!

Hi! I've been a tech 4 years, coming up on 5. I've worked for a Catholic hospital system in a red state this whole time. Currently, I'm core lab at a fairly large hospital. They're the best-paying or very close and management runs things well. Recently, I've done a lot of internal work and come to a place in life where I've felt safe acknowledging the fact that I'm not cisgender.

I'm a good tech, I get frequent compliments on the quality of my work and my work ethic. My coworkers and I generally get along. I feel like I'm a part of the team. I have friendly interactions and amiable relationships with mostly everyone. My leads all like me and it feels nice. I feel valued in my workplace and I want to stay here.

I'm planning on starting testosterone sometime next year, and i'm likely going to start socially transitioning and going by a different name among friends and maybe family (separate issue).

I'm not sure how to navigate that in a fairly unsafe work environment. I know that several of my coworkers would change their tune and be much more unfriendly if I were out or when I show visible signs of being on testosterone. It is a religious hospital, and many people here are religious with their own biases.

I have a feminine legal name, so I'm worried about someone flipping out if I end up with a deeper voice and still go by that name. I'm scared that if I, alternatively, just come out, I'll be discriminated against or ostracized when I just started feeling comfortable. I've already had to change locations once when my former lead found out I was queer and started singling me out.

Has anybody else come out or started transitioning mid-career or early-career? What was it like and how did you navigate it? What's the most professional way forward in this scenario, and what would be the safest way to do this while projecting my job?

Hi! For those who are planning to work in the US, does experience in an MGO, PGO, or CHO laboratory count as relevant work experience? Or do US employers generally prefer applicants with experience in a hospital-based clinical laboratory?

Patient Profile
Age: 72
Sex: Female
Medical History: Pulmonary embolism

Laboratory Data
WBC: 24.6 x 10^9/L
RBC: 2.03 x 10^12/L
Hgb: 73 g/L
Hct: 0.220 / 22%
MCV: 108 fL
MCH: 36 pg
MCHC: 33.0 g/dL
PLT: 35 x 10^9/L

Peripheral Blood Smear (PBS) Findings (Manual Differential)

WBC Series: Presence of blasts, vacuolated abnormal lymphocytes (initially misidentified as monocytes), basket / smudge cells, hypersegmented neutrophils, low eosinophil and basophil counts

RBC Series: Nucleated RBCs (nRBCs), Howell-Jolly bodies, schistocytes, echinocytes, spherocytes

Platelet Series: Giant platelets

What does this patient have and what additional laboratory tests would you recommend?

What’s the difference between ASCP and ASCPi?

This question is specifically for those in Manitoba/Canada, but anyone can answer (please specify where you are located)

I’m preparing to apply to a program very soon, and I thought that it was important for me to get as much information as possible in order to prepare myself.

So what’s the hardest part of being an MLT? What character traits are important to have? What character traits are bad to have? How can one be a successful MLT?

If you have any other information about this career path that you would like to add, please do! I’m trying to get a very deep understanding of it.

In addition to that, if anyone has advice for me that will help me be successful in applying, that will also be very appreciated!

The manager kind of rubbed her temples and said while it was policy for me to have the top button of my coat put up, it is also policy she talks with the tech in question about potential policy violations. I already know the tech reporting me for nonsense for the 9th time now (tech returned 1 minute late from break (stopped to pee), tech didn’t write initials on paper immediately (but was done before I went home), tech didn’t kiss my ass and wash my feet upon entering). These are the most recent, but it is just childish things, and while she is younger, I found out from another tech that she just doesn’t like working with men and wants me gone. I work with her maybe two days a week at max, and I would say we get along well. However, today I could tell my manager was done with her nonsense reports. I am not sure if I will be fired, but I can tell that my manager is on my side. The only *real* violation was one time I wasn’t paying attention to my clock and came back about 10 minutes late, she wasn’t even there that night, but oh boy wouldn’t you know it, she was the one who submitted the report. It is exhausting

Hello everybody! I am a Plant Science major in a state that doesn't require a license. I am thinking of applying to post bacc mls programs next year.

I am still taking many of the prereqs right now. I plan to take summer classes as well so that I can complete my bachelors in Spring 2028. However, due to the courses required for my major and the limited offerings of certain classes, I may not be able to take all of the prereqs needed at my uni, especially not by the application period.

Is it bad if multiple prereqs (biochem, general microbio, immunology) are still in progress when I apply? Do I need to have all of the prereqs completed before applying, or do I just need to finish them before the mls program starts?

Also are there any other tips you would like to give me at this point? Thank you!

I'm an American tech trying to study for the CAMLPR General exam. For my ASCP tests I relied heavily on labCE for exam simulations, and passed on my first try. I'm wondering if there is some kind of equivalent for CAMLPR testing that includes histology that anyone can recommend?

Hi, I am currently a sophomore studying Business Admin. and I’m thinking of making the switch to Medical Laboratory (not sure if I should do Technician or Science just yet). I think I’ll love the job bc I’ve always had a passion for health science.

I’m thinking I go the two-year route and get a job, instead of getting a four-year degree. I’ve seen some other people talk about location and I’m moving to Charlotte, NC next year. Also, wondering if I should do a big hospital or small clinic (not really sure on the terminology).

So, I guess my overall question is what would you do if you got to start again from scratch? Also, what is something you wish someone would have told you before entering this field? Thank you in advance for any insight!

Something about the symmetry of it just scratches the brain

This picture is from a patient slide I just did a differential on. This is from a bloody synovial fluid that was cytospun with albumin. I saw several of these very pretty rosette formations around the slide where several RBCs were arranged in this pattern around WBCs. I thought it was cool, pretty, and a bit odd. I know no other details about the patient's history or diagnosis.

Hi everyone,
I recently got an offer letter from St. Lawrence College for their Medical Laboratory Assistant/Technician program.
I just wanted to know if St. Lawrence is a good college for this program and if the qualification is well recognized by employers.

Also, how is the job market for MLA/Ts in Ontario, especially in the GTA? Is it really difficult to find a job after graduating, particularly with no previous experience?
I’d really appreciate any advice or experiences from people who have done this program or are currently working as an MLA/T.

note: I know a lot of people recommend doing the 3-year MLT program instead, but unfortunately that’s not an option for me right now. So I’d really appreciate advice specifically about MLA/T.
Thanks in advance!

What is your preferred chemistry analyzer and why?

My experience with chemistry analyzers is somewhat limited to the different Ortho Vitros models (7600, 5600, 3400, 350, etc.), the Roche Cobas Pro c503/e801, and the Beckman Coulter DxC AU 700 and Access 2.

I've worked with these platforms in varying laboratory environments, ranging from a rural, 25-bed critical access hospital to a 300-bed facility processing over 3,000 CMPs per month. While I haven't worked with every chemistry platform on the market, I've had the opportunity to see how these analyzers perform under different operational demands.

That being said, I have to say the Ortho Vitros 7600 is my preferred analyzer, although it certainly has its pros and cons.

I can't honestly say I've experienced fewer reagent shortages or less analyzer downtime with the 7600 compared to the other platforms. My preference is primarily based on workflow, accessibility, and how easily I can manage day-to-day operations.

Some of the biggest advantages, in my opinion, are:

* Accessibility: I can access the components I need from the front when the hood is open, without having to reach around to the back of the instrument.

* Tray management: I can retrieve trays and reorder supplies without the extra hassle of needing a dummy barcode.

* Workflow flexibility: Batch ordering downtime specimens is significantly easier, and I can utilize the track system, STAT lane, or front-load option as needed.

* Operational independence: Certain tasks are easier to perform directly on the analyzer without relying as heavily on middleware.

Of course, the 7600 has its fair share of frustrations. The weekly and as-needed ring cleaning, along with monthly maintenance requirements, can be time-consuming. I've also encountered issues with improperly molded cuvettes that can contribute to probe crashes, sometimes seemingly every other sample. The relatively high dead volume is another drawback, as it can result in more specimens being deemed quantity not sufficient (QNS).

Ultimately, I'd choose the 7600 for its workflow flexibility and accessibility, not because I think it's necessarily more reliable than the competition. Every platform has its own quirks, maintenance demands, and failure points. For me, the ability to troubleshoot and keep specimens moving efficiently carries a lot of weight.

I'm curious how other MLS professionals feel about this.

Which chemistry analyzer do you prefer, and is it because of reliability, maintenance, throughput, or simply how easy it is to work with during a busy shift?

Also if an analyzer was available in your country which one would you request?

We had recently switched from heat-fixing our slides using slide warmers to methanol fixing.... And it's been terrible.

Under the old process, we would just leave our slides on a slide warmer to dry and fix, then stain. Slides were relatively quick to dry, and it was just a simpler process. Now, we have to let the slides air dry, which can take upwards of 40min for some slides. The methanol fix for a minute, and then tap off the excess methanol and let that dry (which can take a few additional minutes).

Slides are taking forever to process because of all the time it takes to air dry plus the additional steps, and reading them is quite a learning curve because the "quality" is supposed to be better, but there just seems to be more artifacts and regular cells (especially blood cells) obscuring the microbes.

Is there a better way to do this? The entirely lab is complaining but management is adamant that this is better 😐 the original reason they decided to switch to methanol fixing also had nothing to do with slide quality. During our last safety inspection, it was suggested that we switch because the inspectors were concerned that heat fixing wasn't enough and that we risk washing organisms down the sink or something. But now they're fixated on "better quality" slides and wouldn't let us use slide warmers to speed up the drying.

Send help!

Our lab recently started sharing productivity numbers by shift, and I think I've finally figured out why they're bothering me so much.

The report tracks how many tests we complete. Which sounds reasonable until you think about everything that happens in the lab that DOESN'T end with a result.

Last week I spent close to half an hour dealing with a clotted CBC. Checking the specimen, documenting the rejection, contacting the floor, arranging the recollect, answering questions about why we couldn't just run it anyway.

Number of results produced: zero.

Same shift, chemistry QC failed. Troubleshooting, corrective action, documentation, getting everything back within acceptable limits before resuming patient testing.

Again, essentially zero productivity as far as that report is concerned.

Meanwhile, on a smooth day when the analyzers are behaving and specimens arrive properly collected and labeled, the numbers look fantastic.

I'm not saying routine testing is easy or that high-volume benches don't deserve credit. Obviously they do.

But it feels strange that our productivity looks best when nothing goes wrong, even though handling problems correctly is a huge part of why we're here.

What really got me was a comment during our last staff meeting about second shift having "available capacity" based on the number of completed tests.

We have fewer people working evenings. We're also the ones handling a lot of the maintenance, troubleshooting, pending work, phone calls, and everything that couldn't be finished earlier.

I asked whether any of that was reflected in the numbers.

The answer was basically, "Well, we know the report doesn't tell the whole story."

Okay, but then why are we using it to decide who has room for more work?

A rejected specimen isn't a failure to produce a result. Sometimes it's the entire reason a bad result never makes it into a patient's chart.

I'm genuinely curious whether any labs have figured out a reasonable way to measure work that doesn't generate results.

Not asking for another 15 things to document every shift. Just wondering whether there's a better approach than counting completed tests and pretending everything else is free.