What I wish I knew before becoming a Medical Laboratory Scientist? | q&a

Hi Friends! Let’s have a chat about some things I wish I knew before I started working in the laboratory as a Medical Laboratory Scientist (Medical Technologist) - here are the few lessons I have learned along the way.

00:00 ~ what I wish I knew
00:35 ~ do I regret becoming an mls?
02:21 ~ things will get easier.. eventually
03:21 ~ communication is required (even for us introverts)
06:21 ~ technical skills
09:32 ~ mistakes will happen
14:30 ~ time management (ask for help)
17:11 ~ ergonomics
18:37 ~ self care & adjusting to night shift
20:53 ~ outro

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contact

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Let's Play Gaming channel ( @bloomingrae )

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Comment below & share your medical laboratory journey. Let's build a community!
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xoxo, dominique larae

[srdcee]

im currently a medtech student in second year and im so overwhelmed 😭😭 im scared im not good or smart enough, but im watching videos like these to motivate myself and change my mentality

[JaeS-fu]

I’m very impressed that you figured these things out only 2 years in. I’ve been in the field for 24 years and some of these things I didn’t figure out for several years. I am happy to see someone so passionate about this field that you provide these videos as a resource and to encourage others in or considering it. Thank you for sharing!

[nekomama]

Thanks, you are right. As an MLS, we interact with so many people. We don't get lonely!

[HeyyitsXochitl]

I’m happy with the way you explained your experience and how you didn’t say it in a way where it scares people off from pursuing this career.

[santanawalker]

I’m 2 months into an accelerated associates program at PIMA in Colorado Springs. I am barely getting the taste of the lab and what it’s like. The amount of information that is brand new to me is somewhat terrifying. IT IS FAST. 💨 the first two courses were Medical terminology and Bio of course. Easy high school level course with additional information. Now currently over half way through math for medical specialties and intro to lab 101. Very interesting stuff. It’s just cram cram cram. I’m going through your channel to find any studying tips and resources that you may have. In high school I couldn’t even get my homework in on time. 😂 I’m fully committed to learning and living this profession. It’s very daunting but your channel gives me the confidence to perform. That’s for-sure.

EDIT: THANK YOU 🙏

[Lynn-rx]

Ive worked in the lab since 2014 worked in micro for 4 years then in main lab for 5...I worked nights in micro and it definitely took a toll on my health. I work 3 days a week now 12 hours shifts and it so much better. We have 7 on 7 off also but i feel like thats too long for me. I feel you on the foot pain I was wearing there really flat shoes for awhile in the lab and I started feeling the inflammation fr. Its nice to watch videos from other lab professionals cause I know others can relate. :) Also Happy Lab Week! :)

[alexishammonds]

your videos are helping me so much!! i have an interview tomorrow for this job & was super nervous before watching your videos now i have major confidence i will do well so thank you! ❤

[Alina-ntkz]

I’m a new grad and I passed my ASCP and have now been training to be a tech for about a month now. Right now, I feel so stressed and overwhelmed and feel like I ask too many questions lol. Thankfully I’ve had nice coworkers who have been nice enough to help me. I’m hoping things get better and that I’ll gain more confidence and knowledge as time goes on.

[cassidydubyk]

i just switch from prepharmacy into MLS and this video was really cool to see 🥰 i have two and a half years left and im 23 but this is the career i’ve been looking for! thank you for your input!!!

[yunisblu]

Currently on clinical chem rotation. And the tech training me kept having major troubleshooting issues….QC kept failing….the probe somehow got bent and had to replace it….so start the whole process over again. By the time we went for lunch the issue was still there. Thankfully the lab has more than one analyzer for chem labs. But jeezus it’s so annoying and can’t imagine that happening during peak time with only one analyzer for sample testing. It’s crazy!!

[Fortheloveofglen]

Dominique your videos are so helpful I’m very grateful I’m an MLt student and love this!!

[MUIZEAYOMIDEAZEEZ-vpgv]

Happy to learn more from you about this course. I wish I could witness it all

[jeremymoore]

Just passed my MLS (ASCP)! Thanks for the motivation!

[ashieandizzzy]

I’m really young but I already know I want this job but it’s also late at night and I can’t rush time. I want to be in a lab with a degree and everything I want a good life for my older self so that’s why I’m trying to learn as much as I can about science and medication. So I found your channel and wrote this comment (even though I think we are in different countries) i believe you will help me.

[HiKatieB]

I'm a new grad that finally finished training a couple months ago and moved to nights. I work with a shift full of awesome, very experienced techs. Like, some have been techs longer than I've been alive. Clearly, I'm not going to be as efficient, knowledgeable, confident, etc. as any of them and I constantly have to remind myself of that when my department is backed up or I keep having to ask a million questions. It's ok! There's no other way it can be right now and eventually I will keep up and have to ask less questions. The worst is when I leave a pile of diffs for the morning person because I just couldnt get to them. It still takes me probably 10 minutes to do a diff with morphology and everything, so there is no way I'm going to get through those 12 diffs in the middle of morning run if I have to find 2 hours of time! The morning person usually has them all done by the time our 30 minute overlap is done. It's annoying to them, but not really that much of an inconvenience. I'll get there, but I'm not there yet and it would be a miracle if I somehow already was. I have to give myself a lot of pep talks. 😂

[itsnnekatoyou]

This video is 100% helpful for I’m starting over at the age of 27 and deciding apply for this exact job

[YodelGoat]

This was extremely helpful! Thank you so much for sharing your journey 🎉

[LilMissdrea]

I have 70k in financial aid paying down and I want to do this so badly I’m currently a level 2 phlebotomist prior MA and NA wanted to be an RN steered away… with 6 kids I’m so discouraged but want to be a MLS so badly I know I’d be great
idk what to do “super introvert” I’m ok with coworkers but patients I’d like to mostly steer clear as much as possible 😊

[MohamedConteh-wm]

I am a final year med lab science student, I cant wait to be a med lab scientist.

[pipcheerio]

So happy to see another video from you! I got stressed out when you talked about that overnight BB/micro experience lol. As someone who also hates to ask for help due to fear of burdening others I can relate. You’d rather drown yourself than ask for help. I loved this video though, especially since I’m starting clinicals later this year. I’ve heard people describe it as the best and worst time of your life. How would you describe it?