Thinking of branching
of from being a MLS?
One of the things I struggled with after going into this field is that I did not want to move up the ladder (and off the bench - meaning I don’t want to do paperwork all day), but I wanted to advance in my career. From the hospital standpoint it only looks like you can move up one path:
Phlebotomist (Highschool Diploma and Phleb license) - someone responsible for drawing the blood from patients for lab tests, transfusions, or donations.
MLT (Associates and ASCP MLT license) - A medical laboratory technician uses lab equipment and machines to analyze human blood and other bodily fluids.
MLS (Bachelors and ASCP MLS license) also called CLS or MT - A medical laboratory technologist uses lab equipment and machines to analyze human blood and other bodily fluids. Depending on the state you are working in MLS may have more responsibilities including more complex testing, blood bank work, and microscopic work.
Senior Technologist (Bachelors and ASCP MLS license) - A MLS that has worked for multiple years at one hospital. They usually work the bench while in charge of weekly and monthly maintenance on a/some machines.
MLS Specialist (Bachelors/Masters with a General MLS ASCP license and ASCP MLS license in a specialized area) - Specialists are MLS who go the next step and pick a area of the lab they want to specialize in. They often technical supervisors and laboratory managers who serve as leaders, educators, and advisors. There are many types of including:
-SBB (Specialist in Blood Banking)
-SC (Specialist in Chemistry)
-SCT (Specialist in Cytology)
-SCYM (Specialist in Cytometry)
-SH (Specialist in Hematology)
-SM (Specialist in Microbiology)
-SMB (Specialist in Molecular Biology)
Lead Technologist - MLS with a few administrative duties while usually working the bench too. They may cover one department or one shift.
Lab Supervisor (MLS with Master’s degree) - This MLS usually has more administrative duties, so they are not usually on the bench.
Lab Manager (usually a Master’s degree) - Lab managers have many administrative duties including overseeing employees, forecasting the lab’s equipment needs and making changes to SOP’s.
Lab Director (Master’s degree) - A lab director is responsible for the overall operation and administration of the laboratory. They ensure the lab facility operates in accordance with regulatory guidelines of the government, hospital, and organizations.
But there are ways to branch out.
WITH additional schooling:
(Unfortunately, most of these are lateral moves)
-Lab IT - Works directly with the lab to facilitate LIS operations, and maintenance, and provide training to LIS users.
-Molecular Technologist - Performs DNA and RNA isolation/extraction from blood, bone marrow, or tissue. Molecular biology used to be a part of the MLS ASCP but has been separated into a separate ASCP degree.
-Cytotechnologist - A microscopic study of body cells to examine the cytoplasm, nucleus, and chromosomes to detect genetic abnormalities, detect cancer, bacterial infections, and other abnormal conditions. This is a separate ASCP certification.
-Histotechnologist - Prepares slides and analyzes tissue samples for microscopic analysis and diagnosis by a pathologist. Depending on the country you get your degree in the schooling may include histology as part of your licensing (not the USA).
-Pathology Assistant - A PA works directly with a pathologist to examine and report information about surgical specimens.
-Genetic Counselors - Are educators to patients, physicals, and others in healthcare. They determine and explain the risks of diseases or disorders. They also analyze family health history for genetic abnormalities or inherited health risks.
-Toxicologist - is an MLS that focuses on identifying toxins and the chemical structures found within the body. This usually involves using chromatography and mass spectrometry equipment along with others. This could be a job in the hospital or for the government. This may require additional schooling depending on where you will be working.
-Cannabis Laboratory Scientist or Cannabis and Hemp Analytical Chemist - Performs routine testing on Cannabis/Hemp flowers, extracts, edibles, and oils.
-Nursing or other Healthcare profession - Many MLSs decide that they would like more patient care and move to professions in other parts of the hospital.
Without Additional Schooling, but with on the job training:
-Traveler MLT/MLS - As a traveling MLS I move hospitals as littles as every 13 weeks to help them fill short staffing issues.
*IVF Clinics - MLS are needed at IVF Clinics to test patients’ chemistries, sperm analysis, or even get training to become a junior embryologist.
*Blood Bank Transfusion Centers - A MLS who enjoys blood bank can work on more difficult antibodies and learn more about the processes of processing blood products.
*Animal Reference Laboratories - Animals, just like humans, have lab tests run on them to determine health
-Instrument Maintenance - Any machinery in the laboratory will be connected to a company (on the equipment’s label) that has individuals who can answer questions or provide technical support.
-Point of Care Coordinator: Manages Point of Care instruments and teaches nurses and doctors how to operate the equipment and manage QC.
-Educator - This may require additional schooling, but they often pull techs to teach students from a practical perspective. I myself taught lectures about hematology and coagulation a year or two out of my MLS program.
-Medical sales representative - You may see these people come into the lab to speak to managers or lead techs to introduce new equipment or supplies that the hospital may be interested in.
-Public Health Laboratory Scientist / Infection Control - to diagnose new or recurring infectious/zoonotic diseases, along with disease surveillance and monitoring. More education may be needed depending on whether you want to move up the ladder in this field. Even working at the CBC.
-Personal scientist for Dignitaries - Yes, this is a job. Just as the president has a personal doctor, so does he have personal scientists. There are individuals just like the president who need private scientists who provide these services.
Do you have any more ideas?
I would love to hear about them or just your experience of branching out from the MLS feild! I may be posting your response on this page but it is up to you what you would like to be public.
Any and all are welcome! Thank you!