u/Mindless_Weekend6464

I have worked as a clinical micro tech for 2 years at a smaller regional hospital in Massachusetts. About 6 months ago I was promoted to a senior tech and I make $32.32 per hour. I have my ASCP(M) certification (specific to micro only), a bachelors in health science and a masters in clinical microbiology. I am ready to move towards a more advanced career but I want to avoid supervisory/management positions. I tried to apply to QC microbiology/environmental monitoring positions at pharma companies but they don’t like that I have no experience in that field. Any tips or advice? I am itching to keep learning new things and expanding my skills.

I’ll try to keep this short but I currently work as a senior med tech in a microbiology lab at a small regional hospital. I am hired full time at 32 hours but I’m unable to get the extra 8 hours to make it 40. I have been working 40 since we’ve been understaffed but we recently hired a new part timer and I’m predicting that my hours go back down to 32. My hourly rate is $32.32 with an upcoming COL raise in October making it $33.20.

I am about to receive a job offer this week for another senior micro tech position at a reference lab offering between $39-43 per hour, and I plan on asking for the higher end of that range for reasons I won’t go into detail here. But even if they offer on the low end that is a significant increase in my pay. They also mentioned that I would not have to work weekends (I work every third weekend). It seems like a no brainer to take this offer but here are my hesitations:

-longer commute into the city (going from 20 min at my current job to 30-45 depending on traffic)
-very outdated LIS system with no mouse functionality (one of those old school looking black screens with the white text)
-no MALDI for bacterial ID, reliance on biochemical methods and VITEK
-supervisor who just started working there 1 month ago
-2 employees out on FMLA and one employee coming back from disability
-higher responsibilities expected of me to help supervisor
-all culture workups are done on paper and not in the computer

I genuinely love my job right now and I love my coworkers. I work in such a positive and caring environment that never stresses me out. I never dread going into work.

The only reason I would take this new job is because of the pay increase. My base salary is around $57,000 and this new job would be $81,000 at the minimum. Thats a huge difference.

Any advice?