Entry level lab job?

naughtoj

naughtoj

Cathlete
I was going to PM a few selected Catheites on this one, but thought this was just as simple.


If I do go into lab work, how would I go about gaining employment in a laboratory without any experience. I notice in the paper they want you to be a lab assistant with a certification and/or 1 year experience. Phlebotomy they want certification and exp with peds and geri. If I start going to the university, do I have to take these classes as well to start working?

In addition, for those of you that do this work, do they let students "shadow" you to see what your job is like? Have you ever had that experience?


TIA!
 
Hi Janice,
You can get a research lab job in academics without any experience and if you have any contacts you can phone them and ask to shadow someone for a few days. One of your school counselors can also help if you don't have a contact. Depending on the lab, you may have to get immunized with the Hep B vaccine first. If you decide that a research job is for you, you may want to go and finish your BS. I know you mentioned a BS in microbiology as one of your possibilities. That is a good one. If you need any further help, PM me...I can possibly assist in finding local contacts for you. Good luck...no matter what choice you make.
 
Hey there,

I recently graduated with a BS in CLS (Dec.)so I can answer some of your questions about finding a job. Most programs are formatted so that your first year is didatic and your second year consists of rotations at different area labs so you can put what you learned in class to practical use. So if your program is formatted that way, you technically have some experience under your belt when you've graduated. Also, most programs give you phlebotomy training so you might want to see if the one you are interested in offers this. In my program, we had phleb training but it wasn't required that we had experience with peds. Its interesting that the notice you saw wanted you to be a certified lab assistant? Most ads for MTs are pretty specific and ask for either Medical Technologist or Clinical Laboratory Scientists. Usually its the smaller hospitals that prefer that their technologists have phleb training but larger hospitals do not (Lucky for me because I hated phleb! :p ) I know the demand for technologists varies from state to state and city to city but in my area there's a high demand for technologists. So in my case, within a month of beginning my job search I had 4 offers for a job. Mind you, this was in Oct and I wasn't going to graduate with my degree until Dec! So for me I did not have a problem finding a job with zero experience other than my school training. To find the jobs there are several routes you can take. One would be looking at the websites of hospitals you are interested in and searching their employment listings for MT or CLS positions then submitting your resume. Also, in my program as we went through our various clinic rotations in the different area hospital labs, usually the supervisor would approach you towards the end of the rotation and give you contact information and tell you to contact him/her if you're interested in working there. This is good because while you're doing your rotation in the lab you can get a feel for the laboratory and likewise the lab can get a feel for you. For lots of my classmates who took this route an interview was set up immediately and if they accepted the position, the laboratory supervisor held the position for them until they graduated! And finally, the last way I know of is by word of mouth. Network, network, network. If you hear of a job opening at a lab you're interested in during rotations, just contact the lab's supervisor and let him/her know you would like to apply for the position. That's how I found the job I have presently. Please feel free to email me if you have anymore questions! [email protected]

Yah :7
 
Hi Janice,

There are different positions in the Lab. In the area where I live a lot of students will work as a phlebotomist, clerk, or a specimen processing person, while they are in school. In some states the laws are strict as to who can do these jobs and who can't. Some states ( I know CA and FL) require strict certifcation than other states.

Okay, you could check the University for there Med Tech program and see if the hosiptals they are affiliated with will let you shadow someone. I did not do this until I did my internship.

Entery level positions could be what I mentioned above. Some hospitals will higher off the street and train you so you can be certified in phlebotomy. I would call the add and get more info as to what they are willing to do.

Elaine

check out this link It may answer some of your questions.

http://www.ascp.org/bor/medlab/careers/
 
Wow, all kinds of great info, thank you. I do intend to learn more in March when I go to the advisor, I am just too darn impatient!!! (or excited!)


Yah...you gave me alot of information. It is great to know it was not hard to get a job, that is a relief! I was meaning an entry ENTRY level job. If I do this, I will be quitting my full time job in medical claims to go to school full time. I still need to bring in income and I thought I could get a PT job in a lab, but did not know in what capacity. Cathy gave me some good info for that. Don't hold me to the certification for a medical technician...I am not too sure of my stuff yet. I have seen two year programs though. Not in my city, but on the net.


Cathy....as you know, I love the sound of your job! Don't know if I would like the LONG hours, but the work sure sounds interesting. I will take you up on the PM's after I hear more from the counselor. I don't want to beat you over the head with it until I have all my ducks in a row.:) Right now, I am going to keep an eye out in the paper. LabCorp had an ad in the paper for lab assistant, 2nd or 3rd shift, experience preferred but not req. It said to apply online but the 2nd shift is already gone. I really don't want 3rd shift.....atleast not while going to school. But, we'll see. I'll keep lookin'. If you guys know of any good companies out this way (Phx), by all means let me know! There are community colleges here that offer the Lab Assistant certification and phlebotomy, but that would be additional expense and time and would delay my entry into the program.

I always thought it would be pretty neat to work on one of those blood donor buses too. You know, the ones that come to your work? That would probably get old after awhile.


Elaine...thank you for the link. Wouldn't you know I have already been there! :) Are you going to specialize? What does it entail to go into a cytotechnology program? I noticed you get paid more for a specialization.
 
HI Janice! I haven't posted anything to you before but, congrats on nursing school. That is really cool, & I am partial to nurses. So, I wish you well. You know, when I was still going through college with an undecided major or career path, my pharmacist, DH, suggested nursing to me. You know what I said? You have got to be kidding! That's nothing but a maid!!!!

Well, yeah, sometimes that's true, but the reality is, there are so many avenues to take. So much knowledge to gain AND use. Even if you are active in a patient's daily care, don't think it's just basic bed baths or changing bed pans. That's why you have techs.

Anyway, my DH's basic complaint is that he went to school for so many years, & most of what he learned he doesn't need to know on a daily basis. I can definitely say I use every ounce of my college degree on a daily basis, because I never know who will walk through our door.

Marla
 
HI Janice,
One more thing. Just wanted to point out that Clinical Lab Science is very different from Research Lab Science and the eduaction is very different and so if you are interested in pursuing a lab job, I would discuss the differences with your couselor. I was presuming you were more interested in research science based on some of your previous posts. A BS in Clinical Science would prepare you more for a medical technologist position and jobs in related disciplines and much less for job as a research or bench scientist although it wouldn't preclude you from these job markets. A BS in the basic sciences such as biology, biotechnology, pre-professional, microbiology (as long as the focus wasn't clinical micro), biochemistry etc would prepare you more for a research scientist position not much for a clinical science or technologist type of position. The training and education for the two are very different. You can PM me whenever you want. Good luck in your decision making process.
 
Hi Janice,

That's great that you have already gone to that site. I've worked in the field for about twenty years. I'll give you a little back ground on how I went about it. I will say I took the longer road than most but for my financial situation it worked for me.

Right out of high school I entered an associate degree program. I went to school for two years than did an internship from Feb. to Aug.
The internship was like having a full time job. I was there for 40 hours a week. I then had to go home and work part time and study for exams that were given. Upon completing my internship I landed a job as a generalist. I worked in all areas of the lab. I also became certified as a MLT.

I later went back nights for a BS in biology so I could be certified as an MT. Mostly for better pay and position. I graduated 7 months pregnant. I've always wanted to specialize in Micro but for now raising my two boys takes a lot of my time. I work on a pre-diem bases. I work every third weekend and they call me for evenings when they need coverage.

I don't know much about cytology techs. I know here where I live they usually work at the bigger hospitals. They are a rear breed and in need.

I hope I was helpfull. Please feel free to pm me.

Good luck.:)
 
Ok, you guys know what you can do with this degree? Would it be more versatile if I do not get accepted into the Clinical Lab Science program (it is not gauranteed)?:



Molecular Biosciences and Biotechnology Overview
Welcome to the B.S. Program of Molecular Biosciences and Biotechnology (MBB). The purpose of this major is to prepare students for productive careers in any area of biology at the molecular and cellular level, including biotechnology.

The MBB program will provide a foundation for modern medical research and practice, plant research, pharmacology and gene discovery. The curriculum has been developed with the cooperation of several programs. Included are courses in chemistry, biochemistry, cell biology, physiology, bioinformatics, molecular genetics and techniques in molecular and cellular biology, with emphasis on laboratory training. Elective courses will be recommended in bioengineering, business and marketing, ethics and philosophy. We hope you will enjoy your excursion through the various areas of information.
 
Hi Janice,
This is the type of degree that will be useful if you want a research science position. It would prepare you for a job in research in an academic setting, biotech or big pharma environment. It seems to have a healthy focus on molecular biology which is definitely a big plus if you are considering a research job in any area of biology these dyas. The degree will also be useful if you are more interested in getting involved in downstream product development such as downstream processing QC etc in biotech or big pharma. Once you are established in biotech or big pahrma there are a lot of areas for career growth and lateral movement: buisness development, tech transfer, sales are examples of lateral moves you could make from the bench. You can also move up the ladder by just staying in the research lab environment. The degree wouldn't prepare you for a clinical lab position such as medical technologist, phlebotomist etc., but it wouldn't prohibit you from entering these fields either. You have to decide what type of position you are more interested in. Like I said, if you are interested in research, this program sounds ideal. Have fun!
 
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