r/MLS_CLS

So I’m a communications major at BMCC and I will be graduating this fall (one semester early) but I realized that I don’t really want to purse careers related to that and want to get into becoming a medical lab scientist which is a very sudden complete career change for me especially because I’m almost done with my associates and I guess I’m not sure what to do next.

There’s only very little time before the fall semester starts and I think it’s already to late to transfer to a 4 year school and even when I do transfer for the spring semester should I even bother changing my major to biology or medical lab technology to pursue this career? Please if anyone has any advice on what to do or what the best option for me is I would appreciate the help so much!!

I've been an MLS in Jersey a few years and the pay is poor and limited opportunities with this degree.

I'm considering doing an MBA, either online or part time since I can't save much as an MLS. What was your MBA experience compared to MLS?

I want to stay in the state or maybe NYC and there seems to be better work life balance and pay for business positions with an mba.

I have a bachelor degree in biology and i intend to take ASCPi MLS exam

Are there specific coursework or credit hour requirements (e.g., specific credit hours in Hematology, Immunohematology/Blood Bank, Clinical Chemistry, or Microbiology) that must be completed during or in addition to the Bachelor’s degree in Biological Science?

Hi! I'm planning on doing an MLS program and am wondering what the pay is like in NJ at places like Quest, RWJ, etc. Their websites show a wide range for hourly rate. If you are ASCP certified, how much is the usual offer for new grads. Any advice overall?

I work in the clinical laboratory field and with CLS education, and I keep seeing how difficult it can be for California applicants to figure out what actually makes a strong application beyond simply meeting the minimum requirements.
There are so many questions:
• Is my GPA competitive enough?
• Does biotech or research experience count?
• Do I need hospital laboratory experience?
• Which California CLS programs should I apply to?
• What should I improve before my next application cycle?
• If I was rejected, what should I do differently next time?
I’m building educational resources specifically around the California CLS application process, and I’d love to hear directly from applicants.
What is the ONE question about your CLS application that you wish someone could answer for you?
I’ll try to answer as many as I can in the comments.

The Doctor of Clinical Laboratory Science in Practice: A Survey of Workforce Roles, Responsibilities, and Integration

>A majority of respondents were not satisfied with their compensation. Of note, multiple respondents did not work in doctoral level roles, which may contribute to compensation dissatisfaction. Respondents identified persistent challenges in their professional roles, echoing themes articulated in prior reports (5). The predominant challenge reported was a lack of professional awareness of the DCLS role. Open-ended survey responses further highlighted concerns regarding the historical lack of support from professional associations, perceived misalignment between accreditation expectations and the competencies of DCLS graduates, and limited pathways to HHS-recognized board certificate for HCLDs. Respondents also expressed interest in career development resources related to functioning as an HCLD.

As a former MLS student what advice would you give to successfully graduate from a MLS program? Or something you wish you did that would help you obtain better grades and learn more?

I like the job. I don't want to retire ever. I'd be bored at home. However, at some point I may not be physically able to work. I'll probably go down to part time or per diem in my 70s.

Start getting higher social security at 70 while still working part time for extra cash without reducing SS. Sounds great to me.

How many of you will keep working as long as you can? Who is in their 60s and 70s still working in the lab?

Hi im currently in Florida working as a labscientist, planning to move to california but couldnt get a CLS. CDPH is so strict i dont have blood bank experience. What about trainee license or where can i work that is somehow related to our line of work?

Im desperate just need a work that pays a decent amount. please help. Thank you so much!!

Is it me or does Beckman pay poorly for field applications?

Senior Field Applications Specialist West (Chem/IA) - $40.00 - 43.00 with 80% travel on west coast
https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/senior-field-applications-specialist-west-chem-ia-at-beckman-coulter-diagnostics-4450842027

I'm looking to escape a toxic lab and interested in going to the vendor side, but the pay seems low? Or maybe it's just Beckman?

I've been an ASCP MLS for ten years. Past five as a chem supervisor. Increasingly, all the hires are not certified, just plain science or ecology grads. Im increasingly teaching, not just training.

The hospital is not raising wages since we have 50+ applicants (though not one is certified).

It makes me very concerned for the quality of results were putting out and the future of this field. I cannot think of a single other medical field where no license or certification whatsoever is required. And it's only getting worse. 🙃

I'm a 2 year MLS ASCP generalist. Am considering. Moving to Boston with fiance and got offered $27.50/hr by Mass General Brigham for their "Medical Laboratory Scientist I" position.😒 Recruiter said its competitive for the market.🙄

Fiance said I should consider a different career.🥲

I’m planning several years ahead and would appreciate a reality check from people who’ve actually been through the federal hiring process.
--
My background:

I previously worked as a teacher, but I’m changing careers into Medical Laboratory Science (MLS/CLS). My long-term goal is a federal 0644 Medical Technologist/Medical Laboratory Scientist position. I’m willing to relocate anywhere in the U.S. for my first federal job because my ultimate goal is simply to get onto the federal career ladder. Long-term, I’d like to end up in Minnesota, but I’m not limiting my initial search geographically.
--
Current plan:

• Graduate from an NAACLS-accredited MLS program.
• Work about 9–12 months in a private hospital lab to build experience and rebuild my emergency fund.
• Then begin applying broadly to federal MLS positions nationwide while continuing to work privately until I receive an offer.
• I may also be eligible for Schedule A hiring authority due to documented disabilities.
--
My questions:
• Is waiting 9–12 months for private experience before applying a reasonable strategy, or would you recommend applying immediately after graduation?
• For someone willing to relocate anywhere in the country, how realistic is it to land some federal MLS position within about a year of actively applying?
• Does Schedule A make a meaningful difference in practice, or is it mostly just another hiring path that may or may not help?
• Once you’re in a federal MLS position, how much easier is it to transfer internally to another location later?
• Are there agencies (VA, DoD, IHS, etc.) that tend to hire new or relatively new MLS graduates more readily than others?
• I’d appreciate candid answers, especially from current or former federal laboratory employees.

I got into an out-of-state program (rejected from CA programs) for MLS.

It will unfortunately take me 2 years before I graduate and work enough to qualify for CA licensure.

My boyfriend keeps pressuring me to stay in state and apply again or keep working my current healthcare job. I’m paid decently (62k) and I like my job, but really really really want to work in the lab again.

I know I need to just follow my dreams but can yall just give me some reassurance it’s worth going out of state for MLS? He keeps saying it’ll ultimately come out “a wash” after paying for school and with increasing lab automation, etc.

MLS isn’t med school and it’s reasonable to assume that if I got in once, I could probably manage to get in again later down the line.

Is this profession cool enough to make a stink and break up over? My gut tells me ’yes’ but I feel so guilty. I just want to learn and study again.

I'm a recent grad CLS and am struggling to find a position. I have family in Minnesota and am considering going back. What are MLS salaries in MN? What areas or hospitals are better or worse

Hello, do any California CLSs have advice? I have 9 years of work experience as an MLT and just passed my ASCP MLS exam!
I live in Texas but all my family is in Ca and I want to come back. My current job used to have micro and I was trained, but now all micro is done at another location. So I need 1 year of experience in all departments, do I have to go get micro to train me all over again? Just because they trained me last year before I passed my MLS?
It might be possible but not easy, I also wanted a new job but I might have to stay here to have a connection to get that micro training- but I can’t imagine them agreeing to train me when I tell them it’s so I can move to California…

does anyone know where I can get this book or a copy?

introduction to diagnostic microbiology for the laboratory sciences

• Author: Maria Dannessa Delost
• Publisher: Jones & Bartlett Learning
• Publication Date: December 2020 (2nd Edition)
• Print Length: ~600 pages

Ibsn: 978-1284199734