The true facts about MT salaries and pay

CLS48 in California said: I've never heard of MLTs being able to release results to the floors. There always has to be an MT that checks the results and releases them. MLTs can only perform the results. PA seems to be pretty messed up in that sense.

I'm pretty sure that most of the country is like CA in that they don't allow MLTs to release results. It could be a state by state kind of thing. In CA, it's against the law for anyone other than MTs to verify and release results. An MLT can perform the results but they must always be checked by the MT before they are let go. Hence why MTs have a CA CLS license and MLTs do not.

It is obvious you never have worked in rural healthcare. MLT's all over Minnesota release patient results. You do not need to have a 4 year degree to realese patient results. The biggest difference between a 4 year tech and 2 year is generaL education credits. a 4 year tech has more Gen Eds than a 2 year tech. The science is the same. a 4 year tech has no more science courses than a AAS degree tech, just more Gen Eds

MT (AAB) in Hutchinson, Minnesota said: It is obvious you never have worked in rural healthcare. MLT's all over Minnesota release patient results. You do not need to have a 4 year degree to realese patient results. The biggest difference between a 4 year tech and 2 year is generaL education credits. a 4 year tech has more Gen Eds than a 2 year tech. The science is the same. a 4 year tech has no more science courses than a AAS degree tech, just more Gen Eds

That is nowhere even close to true.

MTs in Texas where I graduated are put through a rigorous course of study and longer clinicals, 2.5 years past the 2 years that MLTs have to do.

The caliber of knowledge required is much more intensive.

I moved to Oklahoma and found that MLTs are just as able to practice and do what we as certified MTs can do and do it well. I learn each day as a new certified MT from old MLTs that have been around.

There is a huge difference in the education required . But what makes a good tech whether it be MT or MLT is real world experience, what are you going to do about a turbity flag or immature gran flag. Are those renal cells or just trans epi cells, how am I going to fix this instrument and get it back online before ER has a meltdown. You can't learn this from a book, and I get insight from MLTs every day.

I've learned that in the end there is only one difference once school is said and done and the experience accrued and that is a pay rate.

MT (AAB) in Hutchinson, Minnesota said: It is obvious you never have worked in rural healthcare. MLT's all over Minnesota release patient results. You do not need to have a 4 year degree to realese patient results. The biggest difference between a 4 year tech and 2 year is generaL education credits. a 4 year tech has more Gen Eds than a 2 year tech. The science is the same. a 4 year tech has no more science courses than a AAS degree tech, just more Gen Eds

That is nowhere even close to true.

MTs in Texas where I graduated are put through a rigorous course of study and longer clinicals, 2.5 years past the 2 years that MLTs have to do.

The caliber of knowledge required is much more intensive.

I moved to Oklahoma and found that MLTs are just as able to practice and do what we as certified MTs can do and do it well. I learn each day as a new certified MT from old MLTs that have been around.

There is a huge difference in the education required . But what makes a good tech whether it be MT or MLT is real world experience, what are you going to do about a turbity flag or immature gran flag. Are those renal cells or just trans epi cells, how am I going to fix this instrument and get it back online before ER has a meltdown. You can't learn this from a book, and I get insight from MLTs every day.

I've learned that in the end there is only one difference once school is said and done and the experience accrued and that is a pay rate.

MT (AAB) in Hutchinson, Minnesota said: It is obvious you never have worked in rural healthcare. MLT's all over Minnesota release patient results. You do not need to have a 4 year degree to realese patient results. The biggest difference between a 4 year tech and 2 year is generaL education credits. a 4 year tech has more Gen Eds than a 2 year tech. The science is the same. a 4 year tech has no more science courses than a AAS degree tech, just more Gen Eds

There is no way a MLT with 2 years of schooling did the same amount of science courses as I did. Organic CHem I and II, Micro, Bio I and II, CHem I and II, Stats, AP I and II. That alone is about a year plus a semester. Then you add the 2 years of upper level courses Ive done, and a year of clinicals. I am not saying I am better than an experienced MLT, but I deff. completed more courses.

Mlt will always justify that there education is equal. Just look at most Mlt curriculums, very basic. If they are equal why are there two difference ASCP tests. Ever look at question differences between the two tests?

Also they want the easy way out, community college!

It is not always the easy way out. I know lots and lots of MLT's that chose the 2 year route to get a good job so that they could support themselves and their family. Many are going back for their MT certification by experience combined with a regular science related bachelor's degree or going back to MT school after becoming certified as an MLT. I work in a semi-rural area and grew up in the Dallas area. I would appreciate if you not judge those that chose the 2 year path; i've been in the field about 4 years and I've met many at 3 labs.. 2 where I worked and 1 where I did clinicals, and they are just as hard working and knowledgable (in most cases) due to experience as MT's. The calibur and length of education and pay rate is the only difference these days.

My MT program was shut down due to funding, and they have to get techs where they can. And both professionals are equally human and equal able to learn the job.

I was fortunate to be able to do my first degree, then go back for a second MT bachelor's for that I'm thankful, but not everyone is able to do that and they do what they can.

Ashley ANYONE can acquire KNOWLEDGE on any job, but the requirments put forth keep STANDARDS HIGH.

Why is a pharmacist now a pharmD?
Why is a PT now a PTD?

These are only BS degrees that recently changed to doctorate degrees to keep standards and wages high, can you get any of these degrees in a two year community college?

So anyone can do MOST JOBS, but if you make it difficult to enter the field that is when wages are high...

A lot of this profession is in being flexible to whatever hospital, clinic, reference lab etc you end up in, and knowing your patients and what to expect. Each demographic has a difference 'norm', and a lot of your knowledge comes from straight experience with where you are working. If you have good lead techs that are seasoned and have good rules of thumb and run the lab well, that is where you will learn the most, not in class. Class is where you learn the fundamentals and certification exams prove you are mentally capable of entering the field, whether you fail or succeed in the real world is dependent on the strength of your lab and guidance of your colleagues. Part of this is accomplished in your clinical rotations, but most is accomplished through continued training, competency and education.

Kappa in Frisco, Texas said: Ashley ANYONE can acquire KNOWLEDGE on any job, but the requirments put forth keep STANDARDS HIGH.

Why is a pharmacist now a pharmD?
Why is a PT now a PTD?

These are only BS degrees that recently changed to doctorate degrees to keep standards and wages high, can you get any of these degrees in a two year community college?

So anyone can do MOST JOBS, but if you make it difficult to enter the field that is when wages are high...

You are still so far off the mark, you don't understand how the lab works apparently. I don't even think I can believe you if you said you worked in a medical field, because you are talking from you nether end (to be polite in this public forum).

Kappa in Frisco, Texas said: Ashley ANYONE can acquire KNOWLEDGE on any job, but the requirments put forth keep STANDARDS HIGH.

Why is a pharmacist now a pharmD?
Why is a PT now a PTD?

These are only BS degrees that recently changed to doctorate degrees to keep standards and wages high, can you get any of these degrees in a two year community college?

So anyone can do MOST JOBS, but if you make it difficult to enter the field that is when wages are high...

Obviously you haven't work in a lab or having been in a lab for very long, but your statement doesn't even warrant a reply. I find it interesting that you are from Frisco. FYI I have done work in 3 labs closest to Frisco, Texas, and I still found the same philosophy through and through. Texas has a stigma against MLT's which I've found is complete bull hocky, and is only because they have MT's to choose from, but that doesn't prove anything to say that MLT's have low standards. You are not made for this field.

Exactly we have MT schools and the MLTs are hired out of desperation. I have worked longer than you can imagine!

Higher standards in the profession equals higher pay! MLTs are lowering our salary with cheaper labor.

If you can find a pharmacist you can't hire a pharmacy tech bc it's a rural area!

Kappa in Frisco, Texas said: Ashley ANYONE can acquire KNOWLEDGE on any job, but the requirments put forth keep STANDARDS HIGH.

Why is a pharmacist now a pharmD?
Why is a PT now a PTD?

These are only BS degrees that recently changed to doctorate degrees to keep standards and wages high, can you get any of these degrees in a two year community college?

So anyone can do MOST JOBS, but if you make it difficult to enter the field that is when wages are high...

If only Polysomnographic Techs got that simple concept through their thick skulls 10 years ago they'd be sitting pretty right now. Make it difficult to get into the field in the first place and protect the profession.

Is CLS-Rookie still around? I'd like to ask him/her some questions about applying to CSUDH as a post-bac. Thanks :)

I have some questions....here in Ky in 2010, a MT (don't know if the person was an MT or MLT) but he misread a NAT. Due to this error, tissue and organs were implanted in a number of people,a baby in Boston. My question: how much of a difference is a positive NAT for Hep C from a Negative one. Is it obvious? Is this a test that needs the tech to have advance training? then once the state was aware of the Hep C , they held on to the information for 11 days. SO another question: if mistakes are being made, in your professional opinions why are they being made? Is it the educational difference between MLTS and MTS, the pay, the hours, the work load. It seems every job has a governing body, why is there a discrepancy between the national tests given for the MLT and MTs but when they get in the labs the work is the same or am I misinformed in that regard. What happens if you misdiagnose a patient. Meaning if you say the guy has one type of bacterial infection but it is something else, you misread a NAT and people get HEP C.IF you have so much responsibility for patient care why is your pay so low? Are you required to take continuing education classes? Thanks for your information. Please do not take these questions as an attack but as a chance to enlighten someone who is interested in this field.

I've been a full-time MLT for 3.5 years at 3 different hospitals - one a small rural hospital, and the other two were 300 to 400 bed hospitals. My first advice to anyone entering this field is to GET YOUR MT IMMEDIATELY!!!! Do NOT start working first!!!! Otherwise, since most hospital labs are not unionized, you will get paid a lot less than an MT, yet be held to the same standard and be expected to do the same work. And you will NEVER be able to make the same money regardless of your level of experience, strong work ethic, or high level of professionalism. The sad fact is, most employers will elect to exploit their MLTs, simply because they can.

And most new techs have to work 2nd shift, when the staff is reduced and the workload is higher(thanks to a deluge of offsite specimens). You will be stressed with having to deal with numerous STATS while working in a flood of routines - ASAP!!! Often times, you will be constantly busy and racing to keep up!!! And you will be more likely to make a mistake working under these conditions and YOU will be WRITTEN UP whenever a mistake is made. The constant threat of being written up looms BIG!!! and merely adds to the relentless stress of trying to do this job to the best of your ability.

The smaller rural hospital where I worked paid more, had better benefits, less stress and fewer judgmental techs. This has been my experience thus far.

balls

Biotekagr in Brooklyn, New York said: balls

i mean seriously, do you think its gunna get any better? what did you sign up for? just do tour job and you will be fine.

I have to do a case study for a class I am taking. I chose the case where the NAT was misread. Can you tell me if this is a test that is only read by certain Med techs with advance training or if this is a test everyone is supposed to be able to read?Should I ask my questions off line to someone? I only have a newspaper article to go by for my presentation. I have been using the internet but I think hearing things from people in the field would make it more interesting and more accurate. Thanks for your help.

CAN I GET EVERYONE'S ATTENTION!!!

I have been reading these posts and the credible complaints many have brought up. This will change nothing unless we do more than just talk. How about we as a profession try to get the attention of the people above say ASCP and on the federal level. We need more help to get the ball rolling. We all want better pay and more respect as a medical profession. We need to get our voice heard through emailing ASCP and other government officials to bring a change to the way this is organized.

I want to hear your opinions, ideas that we can implement in real time to save our profession.

You need to realize that the cards are stacked against us. With the health care bill rolling, they want EVERYONE'S salary to come down, mostly doctors but if we make more we will be above nursing and then they'll have to raise their pay. With that, every professional salary would end up evening out, and honestly for a doctorate degree professional to make less and a bachelors degree professional to make more, or just won't happen. We already make what we deserve in my opinion. Around here a doctor makes $150k and I make $52k on a day shift at 24 years old 3 months fresh out of MT school. If I want better pay all I can say is go into another career because with this health care bill going it will not happen any time soon. Pharma companies, Beckmann coulter, Siemens etc charge out the nose and that cost is passed to consumers along with a huge overhead. If they can find a way to get the business gurus out of health care and into banks where they belong then we may have a shot but at this point our pay is staying right where it is. We are lucky to get what we have with all the budget cuts in recent months and years. Quit complaining, we are so much more automated than we have ever been. It's all about being fast and accurate that's it, it's a job, and with the median income for families in my town being $30k and me and my husband bringing in $120k I really do not care. That's why I'm an MT and not a doctor. I do this job because I like it, I know what I'm walking into every day and I don't have to clean up poop and wipe people and bath them. I only would do that for my parents or child. I'm a lead tech but even them it's totally doable and not like working for minimum wage at Walmart killing myself then getting in Medicaid because they can't give me health insurance. I have a good insurance policy, 401k and job security. I'm fortunate. We must stop thinking about ourselves and what the health care industry has done to America, health care is hard to get anymore.

I agree with many of the comments made by the Ashley, the MT from OK, but after 3.5 years, I earn 15.17 an hour base pay as an MLT, performing the same functions as an MT. I waived the health insurance to take home a little more money. Definitely, if you're going to stay in this field, you need to get the MT status ASAP. Otherwise, you will get used.

Why does everyone always complain about MT salaries? 40-50k from a bachelors degree is very good. I know people with a MS and they are at just 70k and have a more advanced degree. and if u want more pay work more hours!

KenJones in Akron, Ohio said: I agree with many of the comments made by the Ashley, the MT from OK, but after 3.5 years, I earn 15.17 an hour base pay as an MLT, performing the same functions as an MT. I waived the health insurance to take home a little more money. Definitely, if you're going to stay in this field, you need to get the MT status ASAP. Otherwise, you will get used.

Ok this may make you really mad, but I don't know what to tell you. I was working at a big name hospital as an LSS, aka Lab Support Specialist (which required a high school diploma and lab experience, they accepted me because I was working on my first bachelor's in biology, but also if an MLT came to work for them they would be an LSS). I was doing ALL the pre-analytical grunt work but got $12/hour right in the door with a HS diploma. I got done with my degree and worked that job for a year. Realizing it was not getting anywhere, I went back to MT school. I kept that job through my MT program, and quit it, got married and moved to OK where I work now. I left that job making around $14/hour after 3 years, doing basically what at MLT would do in that area. Grunt work. They don't let MLT's in the Dallas area do ANYTHING but pre-analytical stuff and load specimens.

MLT has become this intermediate step that we really don't need anymore, it's just a way for hospitals to get people to do stuff without having to pay them a whole lot. And I think it's stupid, we need more MT's. My program in Dallas was just shut down. It was a GREAT program, and the stupid state just didn't wanna fund it anymore for stupid reasons I can't even begin to dream up. Now we're short handed, and dying for an MT. I agree salary needs to increase to attract college kids. How I don't know. I'm happy with the salary but it's just NOT getting people in here. Nursing was in this shape when they were short, no one thought it paid enough, now with increased salary and everyone wants to be a nurse. *sigh*

I'll add that many people want to be a nurse for the money, but I will just tell you there are ALOT of people that are nurses that SHOULD NOT BE NURSES. And i have no idea how they were admitted to the nursing program that they graduated from or why they're still doing this. Some have absolutely no concern for the patient. And that makes me so angry sometimes. We are in a frikkin health care reform and things are going to get tough so that the patient can get access to health care without worrying about having to file bankruptcy and some of these nurses couldn't care less, they're too worried about how much money they're making to give a flying hoot for who really matters here. Ok I'm gonna get off my soapbox, but I've worked in hospitals for only like 4-5 years and it drives me batty.

I'll add that many people want to be a nurse for the money, but I will just tell you there are ALOT of people that are nurses that SHOULD NOT BE NURSES. And i have no idea how they were admitted to the nursing program that they graduated from or why they're still doing this. Some have absolutely no concern for the patient. And that makes me so angry sometimes. We are in a frikkin health care reform and things are going to get tough so that the patient can get access to health care without worrying about having to file bankruptcy and some of these nurses couldn't care less, they're too worried about how much money they're making to give a flying hoot for who really matters here. Ok I'm gonna get off my soapbox, but I've worked in hospitals for only like 4-5 years and it drives me batty.

CLS48 didn't lived and desired to become a MT, life or his mind intervened. CLS48 wanted to be a doctor and go to med school but did not get accepted so he had to go MT school. Now he wants to boast about California where he is the best thing ever because they can do microscopic, result test results, cross match blood, perform a diff, and he's better than an MLT.

Dude you are nothing special stop trying to come on this board making mlts feel bad, and MTs in other states feel inferior JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE DOWN AND OUT BECAUSE YOU DIDNT BECOME A DOCTOR.

"CLS48 didn't lived and desired to become a MT, life or his mind intervened. CLS48 wanted to be a doctor and go to med school but did not get accepted so he had to go MT school. Now he wants to boast about California where he is the best thing ever because they can do microscopic, result test results, cross match blood, perform a diff, and he's better than an MLT.

Dude you are nothing special stop trying to come on this board making mlts feel bad, and MTs in other states feel inferior JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE DOWN AND OUT BECAUSE YOU DIDNT BECOME A DOCTOR"

I'd like to add that I've personally emailed CLS48 advice for applying to CLS programs in CA and through our emails back and forth he did mention that he got accepted into med school (in the US too not Caribbean) but he decided to pursue CLS for whatever reason.

I personally got accepted into top pharmacy programs and am deciding to pursue CLS instead.

Don't assume things, now your comment and you just looks silly.

Figureyouout in Canton, Ohio said: CLS48 didn't lived and desired to become a MT, life or his mind intervened. CLS48 wanted to be a doctor and go to med school but did not get accepted so he had to go MT school. Now he wants to boast about California where he is the best thing ever because they can do microscopic, result test results, cross match blood, perform a diff, and he's better than an MLT.

Dude you are nothing special stop trying to come on this board making mlts feel bad, and MTs in other states feel inferior JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE DOWN AND OUT BECAUSE YOU DIDNT BECOME A DOCTOR.

People who cannot spell or form grammatically correct sentences lose all credibility.

I appreciate all that CLS48 contributes to this forum, but really, it's the internet. If you took every thing that you read as personal, you're just as ignorant as the ramblings that you post.

Lets hear more about the true fact about MT salary huh?

if you care enough to apply to the top pharmacy schools...why did you go CLS?

Because I thought I wanted to become a pharmacist until I took microbiology this last semester, which was a pre-requisite for pharmacy school. To my surprise, I fell in love with the subject and want to do CLS instead now. Sure it's less pay but I know I'll be happier. Sad to see so many unhappy CLS's on this forum. Go for what makes you happy.

Why is everyone on this forum so judgmental? Just because you guys got stuck in this position for whatever reason, doesn't mean others like me or CLS48 chose it because we had no other option as well.

Not everyone would rather be a doctor, dentist, pharmacist, or whatever. Not everyone who chooses another profession in healthcare is a med school reject. There are plenty of doctors, pharmacists, whatever, who hate their job because they went in it for the money and now they realize they are spending 40+ hours of their week in this short life doing something they don't like. Your happiness and your time doesn't have a price tag. If you chose to quantify the value of your time and happiness then I feel sorry for you.

Figureyouout in Canton, Ohio said: CLS48 didn't lived and desired to become a MT, life or his mind intervened. CLS48 wanted to be a doctor and go to med school but did not get accepted so he had to go MT school. Now he wants to boast about California where he is the best thing ever because they can do microscopic, result test results, cross match blood, perform a diff, and he's better than an MLT.

Dude you are nothing special stop trying to come on this board making mlts feel bad, and MTs in other states feel inferior JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE DOWN AND OUT BECAUSE YOU DIDNT BECOME A DOCTOR.

I actually did get into medical school (MD) on the east coast. However, I wanted to stay in CA. The private school tuition meant I would have been in debt of at least 300K. To me, being a doctor isn't worth all the hard work. I've learned that I really don't like having too much patient contact, which is why the lab is a good fit for me.

I was 21 at the time, young, and made the decision to try something else. If I had to go back, I might have tried pharmacy because the pay is more, but the job is still easy. However, from what I hear, pharmacy is saturated so it probably wouldn't have been a good choice.

Bigbang, thanks for defending me. :) I haven't been on this board for awhile, and just read the above. I hope applying to CLS programs is working out for you and LLU is still a great school for CLS.

I think a lot of people just try med school because it's what their parents wanted. At the time, I'd be honest to say that's what they wanted for me. However, once I realized what doctors really had to put up with and the amount of debt I would be in, I didn't like it. If you owe 300K in debt, your monthly payment is about $1500 a month for at least 15 years.

If you're making low $130K a year, after tax income might be realistically $6000 a month. That would be $4500 a month after paying that monthly student debt. I bring in about $4500 a month right now with no school debt payment. So for almost 15 years, I'm doing as well as that family doctor or pediatric doctor. Of course if they specialize, they can hit $200K a year and it would be different, but then you're looking at more years of residency. At any rate, my pay is decent I believe thinking of it in those terms.

CLS48 in California said: I actually did get into medical school (MD) on the east coast. However, I wanted to stay in CA. The private school tuition meant I would have been in debt of at least 300K. To me, being a doctor isn't worth all the hard work. I've learned that I really don't like having too much patient contact, which is why the lab is a good fit for me.

I was 21 at the time, young, and made the decision to try something else. If I had to go back, I might have tried pharmacy because the pay is more, but the job is still easy. However, from what I hear, pharmacy is saturated so it probably wouldn't have been a good choice.

wow im in the same boat as you..... sort of. I wanted to be a doctor once, but after some research and soul searching I realized that its not something I wanted (a decision I made on many factors). I knew i wanted to be in healthcare so I did my research and I found out about MT/MLT's and I got really excited. So far Im still a junior in college getting his bachelors in Biology but Im hoping to be an MT eventually. (if Im right im doing route 2) I've also looked into pharmacy but ive been told the same thing lol

I only have one username. My pay is decent, because in CA pay starts from $30 an hour to $50 an hour. I don't see it as a dead end because I'm already a supervisor, and hope to eventually become lab manager in time. I'll probably be making 6 figures in 5 to 10 years. I'm not lazy but more pay for less work sounds good. MDs and DOs are overrated with all their student loan debt. I might have gone into pharmacy, but that's the way it goes.

Figureyouout in Canton, Ohio said: CLS48 Please stop using other usernames to take up for yourself. You are pathetic. No person in their right mental space would want to go into a field that has low pay, no respect, and dead end. You sound lazy you want to do less work for more pay. Good thing you didnt become a PharmD or MD.

Will you go work at McDonald's or something because with that immature attitude that's the only job your fit to fill. Or maybe an overnight stocker at Walmart. I pity whoever has to work with you. I love working in the lab, the stress is lower than it is on the floor. I have good pay and bennies and use my head as a supervisor. I find it very rewarding. I work in a rural area in oklahoma where an average 3/2 house brand new is $120k and I make $25/hour. My boss and coworkers rock and I'm happy as a lark. I'm sorry that you're not happy with your life, but that's not our problem. Like I said, go work in retail because your attitude is not fit for any job requiring any degree of mid to higher level thinking. And FYI CLS guy is not making multiple usernames and you look silly for saying that.

thebigbang0011 in Burbank, California said: Not everyone would rather be a doctor, dentist , pharmacist, or whatever. Not everyone who chooses another profession in healthcare is a med school reject. There are plenty of doctors, pharmacists, whatever, who hate their job because they went in it for the money and now they realize they are spending 40+ hours of their week in this short life doing something they don't like. Your happiness and your time doesn't have a price tag. If you chose to quantify the value of your time and happiness then I feel sorry for you.

I agree 100%. My work stays at work, I have a close working relationship with many hospitalists, doctors and pathologists that value my input and that's all that I really care about. I'm doing something to enhance laboratory services for our patients. All I can say is you must do what makes you happy, and if you stoop to the level if calling all MT's Med school rejects then I don't think you need or are able to be an MD if you truly are that shallow. How and why should anyone trust you with their health or life if you are that superficial? A minority comes in and you immediately judge them because they have a sore throat, run a few tests like strep and flu screens they come up negative you basically tell them it's allergies and send them home. I've seem several doctors get patients with appendicitis, they call them a liar basically and send them home. Because they're too judgemental to realize that something is deeper there and that humans are humans we all are born with two legs and two eyes (for the most part). Good god of you people would seriously looker your selves and stop being total a$$es about the money you might actually be able to get your head out of your rear end and HELP SOMEONE. Idiots like you that are so absorbed with the degree of academia you've completed or the money you make that this country is in crisis because of your greed and quality of Heath care has gone to pot.

thebigbang0011 in Burbank, California said: Not everyone would rather be a doctor, dentist , pharmacist, or whatever. Not everyone who chooses another profession in healthcare is a med school reject. There are plenty of doctors, pharmacists, whatever, who hate their job because they went in it for the money and now they realize they are spending 40+ hours of their week in this short life doing something they don't like. Your happiness and your time doesn't have a price tag. If you chose to quantify the value of your time and happiness then I feel sorry for you.

I agree 100%. My work stays at work, I have a close working relationship with many hospitalists, doctors and pathologists that value my input and that's all that I really care about. I'm doing something to enhance laboratory services for our patients. All I can say is you must do what makes you happy, and if you stoop to the level if calling all MT's Med school rejects then I don't think you need or are able to be an MD if you truly are that shallow. How and why should anyone trust you with their health or life if you are that superficial? A minority comes in and you immediately judge them because they have a sore throat, run a few tests like strep and flu screens they come up negative you basically tell them it's allergies and send them home. I've seem several doctors get patients with appendicitis, they call them a liar basically and send them home. Because they're too judgemental to realize that something is deeper there and that humans are humans we all are born with two legs and two eyes (for the most part). Good god of you people would seriously looker your selves and stop being total a$$es about the money you might actually be able to get your head out of your rear end and HELP SOMEONE. Idiots like you that are so absorbed with the degree of academia you've completed or the money you make that this country is in crisis because of your greed and quality of Heath care has gone to pot.

Figureyouout in Canton, Ohio said: CLS48 Please stop using other usernames to take up for yourself. You are pathetic. No person in their right mental space would want to go into a field that has low pay, no respect, and dead end. You sound lazy you want to do less work for more pay. Good thing you didnt become a PharmD or MD.

LOL. As a 20 year old student from south Florida, I can confirm I'm not the accomplished lab manager from California ^_^ I've made my choice and it seems pursuing a clinical laboratory suits my style (and my own personal goals)

Happiness can't be quantified by money.. There is no price tag... Maybe u feel it is unfair, but there are definitely other pple had it much worse. Also over here, MLT and MT does the same things too.

Hey everyone, does anybody know if the DC, MD and VA area hire a lot of MLTs or just MTs? I have been thinking about entering this field for a little while now and wanted to know what the job market was like for mlts in these areas. Also, what would be the starting pay?

Med Techs do not get paid enough money for the work that they are trained to do. The California data is skewed extremely.

If you want an office job be a banker, stop looking for pay with no work because you're not gonna find it.

Any relevant answers?

Ken in Houston, Texas said: Any relevant answers?

Ask a dumb question, you'll get a dumb answer. It's a JOB meaning you WORK.

Ashley in Ardmore, Oklahoma said: I love my job and am a very happy person. But is it unreasonable to not tolerate lazy people that want to be paid for not doing anything? Most people ask about benefits and how their skills match this career. You just want to know point-blank how long you get to sit on your thumb and look at Facebook and YouTube and still make $30/hour. I would not trust such as person to take care of my lab.
If that's what you are hoping to do then find PRN job sitting plants, you're not made for this field.

I am asking about the physical demands of the job because of questions posed to me by a friend of a disabled veteran. He has had reconstructive work done on a leg and is not one hundred per cent, though he is very ambulatory. This forum struck me as quite friendly and informative from reading the first pages. Reading your angry remarks makes me wonder indeed about your psychological makeup. Again, Ashley, why do you not find some forum where your bilious comments and poor grammar and spelling are deemed desirable?

Ken in Houston, Texas said: A few questions:

1. So, what per cent of your time is spent on your feet as a Medical Technologist?

2. Also, are there padded mats on top on the hard floors that we find in hospitals?

3. Roughly what per cent of one's time, on average, is down time?

Ken, since Ashley seems to have not understand where you were coming from, let me tell you some answers to your questions, 1.) you usually spend a lot of time on your feet, unless you work in Blood Bank, or possibly Microbiology, 2.) Padded mats, usually are in place, but I worked at a hospital that was not set up ergonomically, they may have changed recently, because of new regulations, 3.) depending on what shift you work, how busy the hospital is, and how many workers there are....is how busy you are....and if you have any downtime...which is rarely ever....I hope that I answered your questions.

labressed in Canton, Ohio said: Ken, since Ashley seems to have not understand where you were coming from, let me tell you some answers to your questions, 1.) you usually spend a lot of time on your feet, unless you work in Blood Bank, or possibly Microbiology, 2.) Padded mats, usually are in place, but I worked at a hospital that was not set up ergonomically, they may have changed recently, because of new regulations, 3.) depending on what shift you work, how busy the hospital is, and how many workers there are....is how busy you are....and if you have any downtime...which is rarely ever....I hope that I answered your questions.

Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. I will pass this on. I will do more looking as well. The physical demands may jive quite well with a fundamental interest and prior academic study. He needs a job where he deals with "things" initially, from what I understand. The individual is by no means lazy, he just wonders about the physical requirements placed upon him before he is 100%. I got my leg busted up myself while in the military a few decades ago, so I was considered someone to seek out. Thanks again for your comments.

Ken....I am so sorry for the unprofessional way in which your question was answered by Ashley. And thank you for putting her in place. I can't believe she wouldn't realize why you may be asking it. Kudos to the person who gave you some info. The lab in which I work employs veterans and in fact does much to recruit them. They are disciplined and responsible. We also find ways in which to employ those that are semi-handicapped. Most areas of lab do require the ablility to be on your feet for a long time. We do employ someone who is in a wheelchair, he works in the microbiology department. Micro is an area of the lab that has a much slower pace and many things are done while sitting. Tell your friend to go for it, I'm sure he will find a hospital that would be happy to work with him.