Our lab recently started sharing productivity numbers by shift, and I think I've finally figured out why they're bothering me so much.

The report tracks how many tests we complete. Which sounds reasonable until you think about everything that happens in the lab that DOESN'T end with a result.

Last week I spent close to half an hour dealing with a clotted CBC. Checking the specimen, documenting the rejection, contacting the floor, arranging the recollect, answering questions about why we couldn't just run it anyway.

Number of results produced: zero.

Same shift, chemistry QC failed. Troubleshooting, corrective action, documentation, getting everything back within acceptable limits before resuming patient testing.

Again, essentially zero productivity as far as that report is concerned.

Meanwhile, on a smooth day when the analyzers are behaving and specimens arrive properly collected and labeled, the numbers look fantastic.

I'm not saying routine testing is easy or that high-volume benches don't deserve credit. Obviously they do.

But it feels strange that our productivity looks best when nothing goes wrong, even though handling problems correctly is a huge part of why we're here.

What really got me was a comment during our last staff meeting about second shift having "available capacity" based on the number of completed tests.

We have fewer people working evenings. We're also the ones handling a lot of the maintenance, troubleshooting, pending work, phone calls, and everything that couldn't be finished earlier.

I asked whether any of that was reflected in the numbers.

The answer was basically, "Well, we know the report doesn't tell the whole story."

Okay, but then why are we using it to decide who has room for more work?

A rejected specimen isn't a failure to produce a result. Sometimes it's the entire reason a bad result never makes it into a patient's chart.

I'm genuinely curious whether any labs have figured out a reasonable way to measure work that doesn't generate results.

Not asking for another 15 things to document every shift. Just wondering whether there's a better approach than counting completed tests and pretending everything else is free.

First time to see this beautiful color urine. On top of that, it’s clear! Had to ask the nurse if they were expecting for the px’s pee to be this color before resulting it. 🍀💚

For some reason everybody in my cohort is so competitive and it makes me feel so stupid. I helped some people study for clinical chemistry and they all got significantly higher scores than me on exams. i struggle in hematology and i just got a 71 in my microbio lab. the tests and classes easily pile up on each other and i just can’t handle it. what do i do?? i study so much for grades i just dont want

How difficult is it to transition from a generalist MLS to a cytogenetics technologist? What’s the learning curve like, and are labs willing to hire and train someone without direct cytogenetics experience?

For reference, I have a BS in Clinical Lab Science, ASCP certification, and 2 years of MLS experience, primarily in hematology at a high-volume hospital. We see a good amount of leukemia cases, so I have some general knowledge of cytogenetics and its role in hematologic malignancies.

There’s a position near me with a 9am–5pm schedule and no weekends, and the field genuinely interests me. I’m just nervous about making the switch without hands-on experience.

For those in cytogenetics, how realistic is this transition?
Also, for those who made a similar transition, what skills or experience would you recommend highlighting during the interview to stand out as a candidate despite not having hands-on cytogenetics experience?

When it comes to neutrophilia, does anyone work in a lab that flags automated differentials for slide review based off the diff percentage (I.e. slide review all slides with an automated count of >= 80 percent neutrophils) or is just about everywhere using the absolute count (ANC) for their slide review criteria?

Apologies if this isn't allowed; I read the sidebar and searched for past posts but I couldn't find anything relevant.

I recently applied for an entry-level lab tech job, but I'm starting to wonder how legitimate this company is. On one hand, they do have a physical location on Google Maps and a few reviews on Glassdoor, but the website is pretty bare-bones and most of the online information hasn't been updated in years. I also tried to search them up on the CMS site to see if they had a CLIA certification and couldn't find them. All of this gave me pause, but again, I'm applying for an entry-level position so I don't know what's normal for this field and what's a red flag. I would appreciate any assistance in navigating this. Thanks for your time!

Hi! I recently passed my ASCPi examination with a score of 490. Does score really matters during job application?

Hello!

I am up for an interview next week for a part time position. I wasnt expecting to get interviewed or hear anything anymore because the hiring process in this hospital system took the longest and I figured since entering the last quarter they will resume hiring January. I applied July and they contacted me just this week.

ANYWAY.. I have a planned out of the country trip on Feb 2027- flight is booked already. It will still be winter by that time and from my previous experience people dont usually take leaves by Jan-Feb. I know i have to tell the manager about it but just wanted to have some insights if you happen to have encountered such request esp for techs doing the schedule!

THANK YOU

I am nearing the end of my degree and starting to think about finding a job. I am confident I will find a job in a private lab, but I would prefer to work in public pathology. I would like to know from those who work or have worked in the public sector about how hard it is to get a job as a medical laboratory scientist as a new grad or with a year of experience in private pathology?

I am based in QLD but I am willing to move to any state and territory. I am geographically flexible and willing to work rurally or remote areas, preferably being able to eventually move to a larger city.

The questions I have are:

Does being flexible in where I work increase my chances significantly or not much as much I might think?

How realistic is finding a permanent position after graduating or with a year of experience?

Do most people have to work in a private lab for years before getting the chance to move to public?

How often do permanent medical laboratory scientist vacancies come up?

How are jobs filled? Is it through internal recruitment, grad programs, expressions of interest etc

If I start in a temporary position, how difficult is it to eventually get a permanent position?

If possible, I would like to know how many years of experience you had before you managed to find a permanent public sector position in your state?

I would especially like to hear from those who work or have worked in rural, regional or remote public hospitals.

Hi everyone! I received my CAMLPR SARA access email on September 4 but haven’t completed it yet. Can I still complete it by the end of November, or will my access expire? Thanks!

Hey y'all, I'm sitting for my MB(ASCP) exam in less than 2 weeks and I'd like some help finding useful resources, I'm half way through the Lela Buckingham book and frequently use the https://quizlet.com/user/Lolo20000000/sets quizlet. My concern is the book is too dense and the quizlet is too specific and not engaging enough.

What are some of the resources others have studied for, and passed the exam using? Yes, i know theres a breakdown of exam content on the ASCP website. Help out a fellow lab employee!

Is anyone from a clinical flow cytometry lab that is CAP inspected? I’m struggling with FLO.23737 “the laboratory evaluates negative and positive control for qualitative assays each day of patient testing”

The standard notes “an evaluation of the performance of EACH QUALITATIVE ASSAY must be performed on each day of testing.” My lab has 58 different tubes / marker combos, and 80 different antibodies. How do I successfully QC them all and document it every single day?!

The standard goes on to say that normal populations present in patient samples can be used as QC, so I was thinking of doing a pos/neg matrix with all of our tubes that we can fill out as we analyze the data, but it is going to be very cumbersome for me and my 3 coworkers to keep up with.

I’m open to any and all suggestions or examples!