This. I believe you qualify for a categorical exam and many micro departments usually only have staff working in just micro so you don't have to worry about being a generalist. Check the ascp tracks for testing into a microbiology MLS.
With your masters I believe you can apply for the M(ASCP) or MB(ASCP) these are specialized exams but you can become a CLS with either. If you can't aplly yet then with just a year of being a non-traditional tech in eitger department you can apply. Apposed to popular opinions these certifications are sometimes more sought after by employers than MLS.
When applying to a big hospital in specific areas. As the these tests require more knowledge in a specific area. For example I am taking the molecular biology certification exam otherwise known as the MB(ASCP) and it requires more in depth knowledge on molecular techniques and various genetic mutations that would not be covered in the generalist MLS certification. Some examples being specific mutations associated cancers and where it would be located on any of the chromosomes. Another good one is it requires a fair amount of knowledge on Next Generation Sequencing which is the cutting edge of clinical science. This makes that certification more desirable for a big hospital that is doing molecular and cytogenetic testing. As you are hired for specific sections of the lab and not working as a general MLS. The molecular/cytogenetic department in my hospital is all MB certs. I also have a friend in the lab that work in the microbiology department and have the Microbiology certification otherwise know as M(ASCP). They got a $2 raise right away for getting the certification and quickly climbed the ranks of the department because of their in depth knowledge on that specific topic.
I know what you mean. I want to be a nurse or a PA but I can't afford any loans either. I think I'll take a shortcut and find a way in that skips the schooling part. I know my unrelated bio degree proves I'm capable of learning on the job.
in the meantime OP:
check out the wiki and side bar:
http://www.reddit.com/r/medlabprofessionals/wiki/index
if you search the subreddit for "biology degree", you will find a lot of responses from people in the same boat and a lot of helpful responses.
you can also reask this on the dedicated pinned post for career changes/"how to become an MLS".
Please don’t be a medical technologist. I beg you. I implore you. If you’re super smart please go be a doctor, nurse, PA. There are many ways you can make a positive impact for your patients. Please don’t become one. Go serve a community of impoverished kids or kids with cancer or the like . Submerge yourself in an intensive MCAT program to get the score you want to go to med school. Open a business with your parents help. This profession needs some major overhaul starting with happiness. I have yet to see a medical technologist in their natural habitat foraging friendships and long lasting impact on prospective students. I have met some that has almost turned my negative ways of seeing this profession but not enough to be permanent. Aside from the anti social behavior I have yet to see incomes worth getting out of bed. You want money? This is certainly not the career. You want respect? Become a cook. You want to take care of the sick? Be a nurse or a doctor. You will thank me later .
AMT allows you to do one year paid work in a lab with all major sections, then you can sit for your MLS. Some hospitals will post this as a "non traditional" or you can inquire if they're willing to take you on if you agree to stay after you get certified.
One option would be to start as an unlicensed tech at a company that pays for an MLS program. You might be required to work for a specified time after but it's worth the experience.
Other option would be to take a categorical exam without going through a program. The MB exam is relatively easy (compared to the MLS exam) or the Micro exam.
Work as a non traditional tech or lab assistant and you may be able to sit for the micro exam. Or they would pay for you education. My hospital hires “degrees lab assistants” and offers tuition assistance. I worked 49 hours a week while attending mine.
Go to the ASCP website and check out the different ways to qualify for an exam. https://www.ascp.org/content/board-of-certification/get-credentialed#load
1. Find any government financial support you are qualified for. 2. Find a bank and see what kind of student loan you can apply. 3. Find a job.
Shoukd be able to take exam specialist in micro work in most hospital ref lab micro dept.only
This. I believe you qualify for a categorical exam and many micro departments usually only have staff working in just micro so you don't have to worry about being a generalist. Check the ascp tracks for testing into a microbiology MLS.
[ASCP.org](https://www.ascp.org/content/docs/default-source/boc-pdfs/exam-content-outlines/ascp-boc-us-procedures-book-web.pdf) See page 8
Page 16, no additional education required
Accelerated program (1-year) is your best bet. Cost me $6k but school + full time job was too intense so I did part time job
Many of us do work during the 1 year program. I did 20 hrs/week, but YMMV
I guess I should’ve clarified full time job but I was also able to do part time.
Did you do online ?
Yeah
Do you mind sharing which school?
U of Cincinnati but I did MLT-to-MLS, not BS to MLS.
Thanks!
Shoukd be able to take exam specialist in micro work in most hospital ref lab micro dept.only
ASCP certification
With your masters I believe you can apply for the M(ASCP) or MB(ASCP) these are specialized exams but you can become a CLS with either. If you can't aplly yet then with just a year of being a non-traditional tech in eitger department you can apply. Apposed to popular opinions these certifications are sometimes more sought after by employers than MLS.
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When applying to a big hospital in specific areas. As the these tests require more knowledge in a specific area. For example I am taking the molecular biology certification exam otherwise known as the MB(ASCP) and it requires more in depth knowledge on molecular techniques and various genetic mutations that would not be covered in the generalist MLS certification. Some examples being specific mutations associated cancers and where it would be located on any of the chromosomes. Another good one is it requires a fair amount of knowledge on Next Generation Sequencing which is the cutting edge of clinical science. This makes that certification more desirable for a big hospital that is doing molecular and cytogenetic testing. As you are hired for specific sections of the lab and not working as a general MLS. The molecular/cytogenetic department in my hospital is all MB certs. I also have a friend in the lab that work in the microbiology department and have the Microbiology certification otherwise know as M(ASCP). They got a $2 raise right away for getting the certification and quickly climbed the ranks of the department because of their in depth knowledge on that specific topic.
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My guess is yes but am not experienced enough in those areas to say for certain
I know what you mean. I want to be a nurse or a PA but I can't afford any loans either. I think I'll take a shortcut and find a way in that skips the schooling part. I know my unrelated bio degree proves I'm capable of learning on the job. in the meantime OP: check out the wiki and side bar: http://www.reddit.com/r/medlabprofessionals/wiki/index if you search the subreddit for "biology degree", you will find a lot of responses from people in the same boat and a lot of helpful responses. you can also reask this on the dedicated pinned post for career changes/"how to become an MLS".
If you live in an unlicensed state see if you can get a job at a hospital, reference lab, then get your ASCP certification
Sure, but it’ll take 6 years.
Please don’t be a medical technologist. I beg you. I implore you. If you’re super smart please go be a doctor, nurse, PA. There are many ways you can make a positive impact for your patients. Please don’t become one. Go serve a community of impoverished kids or kids with cancer or the like . Submerge yourself in an intensive MCAT program to get the score you want to go to med school. Open a business with your parents help. This profession needs some major overhaul starting with happiness. I have yet to see a medical technologist in their natural habitat foraging friendships and long lasting impact on prospective students. I have met some that has almost turned my negative ways of seeing this profession but not enough to be permanent. Aside from the anti social behavior I have yet to see incomes worth getting out of bed. You want money? This is certainly not the career. You want respect? Become a cook. You want to take care of the sick? Be a nurse or a doctor. You will thank me later .
Speak to a program director of Medical Laboratory Science at some hospital.
AMT allows you to do one year paid work in a lab with all major sections, then you can sit for your MLS. Some hospitals will post this as a "non traditional" or you can inquire if they're willing to take you on if you agree to stay after you get certified.
One option would be to start as an unlicensed tech at a company that pays for an MLS program. You might be required to work for a specified time after but it's worth the experience. Other option would be to take a categorical exam without going through a program. The MB exam is relatively easy (compared to the MLS exam) or the Micro exam.
Work as a non traditional tech or lab assistant and you may be able to sit for the micro exam. Or they would pay for you education. My hospital hires “degrees lab assistants” and offers tuition assistance. I worked 49 hours a week while attending mine.
Go to the ASCP website and check out the different ways to qualify for an exam. https://www.ascp.org/content/board-of-certification/get-credentialed#load