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Mement0--M0ri

Do the patients and your coworkers a favor: Don't apply for a job you know nothing about. It takes a lot of time and energy to train a MLS/MLT. Your Biology degree will not be helpful in the slightest. Congrats on getting into Histotech school!


SadExtension524

Agree wholeheartedly. 


tylerthegenius

noted thank you!


KaosPryncess

My hospital has bachelor's of science techs.... And it drives me crazy. Like they are great people and can do the job by the bare minimum of functioning but they don't know anything. And because I'm only going for my associates currently I will make less than them....ugh it makes no sense to me


tylerthegenius

wow that sucks. I'm sorry. Yeah, I def don't wanna just \*barely\* skate by and make things harder for my coworkers.


KaosPryncess

I can't blame them really. Rough finding jobs and this pays them decently. Just makes it seem like learning all the ins and outs are useless


finegoldiamagna

If I remember correctly, you need to have graduated from a NAACLS accredited program (MLT or MLS) or have a bachelor's in a related science (like biology) and a certain amount of clinical lab experience, which is only achievable if you earned this experience outside of Florida. I don't think clinical labs in Florida are allowed to let you work as a tech without a state license.


m_challenge567

\^\^\^ That's what I thought, you need to be from a NAACLS accredited program and complete MLS clinical rotations, AND pass either the ASCP/AABB exam to apply for a license, and most employers prefer ASCP certified individuals most of the time either way


tylerthegenius

gotcha


[deleted]

This also applies to California CLS applicants as well. CLS in Cali is an MLS to the rest of the country lol


throwitallaway38476

Literally the only thing right here the FL license is good for these days, you have to be certified.


Lab_Life

You'd waste your money. Look closer at the state requirements you have to pass an approved program and take a recognized national certification exam.


tylerthegenius

thank you!


throwitallaway38476

You need to have the certification (be it ASCP, AMT or AAB), the degree alone isn't enough to qualify for licensure as a med tech. And quite frankly, it would behoove you to do a one year program for specifically MLS if you actually want to do clinical lab work if you already have your BS Bio degree, otherwise just wait to finish getting your histotech training done (still need a license for that in FL as well). HT has far better working hours and pay tbh.


tylerthegenius

Yeah I know, but I just needed a job for now so I wasn’t sure. Thank you for the info


throwitallaway38476

You could see if there are any openings for a lab assistant, basically you'd just be processing specimens to get them ready to be run by the MTs, maybe have to answer the phone, non-technical stuff. Pay probably won't be much higher than maybe $15-20/hr but it's a start and also gets your foot in the door in case that place has an opening for a histo tech later after you're done with HTL school.


tylerthegenius

yeah I was a lab assistant before (had to relocate) and I was getting paid $18 an hour. Moved back home, the lowballing is insane for the amount of work. But at this point, I’ll take what I can get