AMT IS WORTHLESS

Larry in Richardson, Texas said: You aren't smart enough? Way to go judge jen. That statement shows a lot and I hope you keep hiding behind your degree. You deserve everything you get.

Absolutely, thanks, Larry. Really "smart" people, don't need to bash others to make themselves feel better. I have worked with all kinds of techs with all sorts of qualifications, and good workers with good knowledge always win hands up! Let's add - well put-together, kind human beings, too. Shame on such a nasty unfair bad comment!

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dr in Miami, Florida said: Yes hreat idea. do not waste your time and money in AMT

So how do you feel about the AAB?

There is nothing worthless about AMT. My organization pays AMT med techs just as much as ASCP med techs. I took the ASCP. I think it's a harder test and you get more out of it, but the truth of the matter is that most states don't care where you get your certificate from, they just care if you have it.

I am an MLT(ASCP)tech with 16 years of experience. My general supervisor is a MLT(HEW) working in a specialized lab for 20 years who cannot produce her card. Every time we get inspected she sweats bullets over it. She constantly has me write lab procedures. I am also in charge of all quality control for our chemistry lab. I wrote all the maintenance log books because when I began working here there was inadequate documentation of quality control and maintenance. She has not checked over quality control in almost a year. There is a foot high stack of it on her desk because she does not know how to decipher it and is afraid to sign off on my work in case something is wrong. Recently we changed our test menu and some assay procedures. The procedure manuals have not been updated in a year. I complained and she told me that it was not my job to write procedures after already writing several and having them accepted by the PhD. She said writing the new procedures was a matter of cut and paste. Bull. She fears being found out that she is incompetant to perform the duties of a supervisor. My last supervisor was way superior and was a MT(ASCP). I was proud to work under her and she taught me a lot of advanced techniques and in trained me indepth about QC in the laboratory. My new supervisor contantly "delegates" supervisory level work to those under her and then tells everyone she performed the work. When a problem arises she goes to management and does "damage control" to protect her ass. I am currently looking for a better place to work because CAP will be inspecting soon and I fear the supervisor will find a way to cover her rear by throwing me under the bus. I do my job to the best of my ability and I care about the quality of work I produce. This woman is a flake and no one will find out about her because she has a nice personality in front of management and is easily controlled by them. That is why she has her job, not because she is qualified.

I am a MLT(HEW) with 20 years experience. I am the general supervisor of the lab. Can I expect that this will pass muster with CAP?

And I have worked with ASCP techs who didn't have enough sense to come in out of the rain (as well, of course, with some very intelligent fine ASCP techs), BUT I have also worked with some HEW MTs who were lazy and not very bright and others who were able to run any laboratory anywhere. Really it has more to do with your ability to learn - how can any one work at anything 20 years and not know a lot about their job? They either are stupid or lazy.

Personally, I have a master's degree and got out of the clinical laboratory field 14 years ago to go to another entirely different profession. Medical Technology is a miserable profession - no real appreciation; no respect from other healthcare professionals; no one knows what you do (Aren't you the people who come and draw my blood at 5am?) and no real hope of pay increases or more respect! I got sick of working hard in a job that I took seriously, but felt like I was percieved at level with the people who cleaned the floors. "Oh, you're a lab tech!" No, you don't understand, and I didn't understand either. Most Med Techs I have ever known (and I worked almost 20 years in several hospital, clinics and even in my own business) were hard working, intelligent and careful with their work.
So, I think that the people working in laboratories should be MORE FOCUSED AND DETERMINED to get the support of the healthcare big-guys and make enough noise to be seen as just as important as nurses, radiology, PAs, etc., etc., and quit squabbling with each other for goodness sake! What's more important - what initials you have on your lab coat or your paycheck? The clinical laboratory establishment (specifically Pathologists) keep this darn ASCP thing going on so that the "troups" will keep fighting among themselves and not fight the ones who keep them "down on the farm".
I wasn't interested in my "initialed name tag"; I wanted to be a respected professional WITH A RESPECTABLE PAYCHECK. And so, I left.
Selah

Ariana in Riverview, Florida said: I'm planning on taking the AMT in May to get my technician license in Florida. I also plan on becoming licensed as a technologist with an AS degree. That will be through AAB.

I'm not worried about Florida deciding to require all techs to be ASCP certified because 1) I'd be grandfathered in and 2) They don't have enough techs to do that. That's why you're able to work as a technologist with only an AS degree in this state. They need people in the lab.

Oh and I never plan on moving to New York or California so I think I'll be okay. If other states won't recognize me as a technologist with an AS, then I'll just stay here in Florida. No big deal.

If I had to obtain a Bachelors degree to obtain work, I would leave this profession and get a Bachelors degree in Nursing. I WILL NOT spend all that money to make what this field pays. There's also a lot more job flexibility as a nurse. The only reason I'm in this field is because it was a faster route to more money (technologist level).

YES! Absolutely!

Brina in Beaverton, Oregon said: I also guess they have to be careful over there you did have George W Bush. LOL

Hi Brina,

I'm impressed by what you just mentioned. In fact, what you mentioned seems to be more credible than what these lack of leadership, selfish, AMT bashing low life's are squealing about. By the way, are you doing any hiring? I'm an AMT Certified mlt with a B.S. in health science seeking employment with a lab that will hire and train me into a generalist. I have entry level experience with automated clinical chemistry. I wouldn't care if you stuck me in clinical chemistry for ever. Thanks. jackcoal40@yahoo.com.

anonymous in Chicago, Illinois said: There is nothing worthless about AMT. My organization pays AMT med techs just as much as ASCP med techs. I took the ASCP. I think it's a harder test and you get more out of it, but the truth of the matter is that most states don't care where you get your certificate from, they just care if you have it.

Wow, I'm very impressed with what you just mentioned. I'm an AMT Certified Med Lab Technician with a B.S. in Health Science. I'm seeking employment with a lab who will hire and train me into a generalist or they can stick me in clinical chemistry forever. I have entry level experience with automated clinical chemistry and love 3rd shift. Do you think that your lab would have any interest in me? Thanks.

I took and passed the HEW exam in March 1979 and received a HEW card. I am also MLT(ASCP). I recently have lost my HEW card and cannot find it anywhere. Does anyone here know whom I need to call or what address I need to write to to get a replavement card?

Thanks in advance