Good Morning ...
I was out of the field for about twelve years and stepped back in as an Outpatient Phlebotomist/Laboratory Assistant for two years (2016 - 2018). It was a wonderful way to get back into the lab and become familiar with some of the changes and new instrumentation. In some ways it is disappointing to take a "step down", yet it provides current "experience" and a paycheck instead of paying for a "refresher course". In my opinion, the hands on is more useful than going over theory.
Good Luck,
Hope this helps some people.
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Deborah Halstead Technologist/Scientist, non-supervisor (CT,MLS,MT)
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Original Message:
Sent: 10-31-2024 08:44
From: Roqiah Alahmed
Subject: Obtaining medical laboratory experience after having left the field for some time
Hi,
I left my job for family circumstances in 2018, since then it was hard for my to find a job in my country and even when I come back here, it was hard to find a job.
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RA
Original Message:
Sent: 10-30-2024 10:16
From: Latasha Cortes
Subject: Obtaining medical laboratory experience after having left the field for some time
I am looking into this as well. My mother has Alzheimer's disease and I have been out since 2020. I have my degree as a MLS but I went into the MLT program and finished a year or so ago as a refresher. Hopefully you will find a good hiring manager that can work with you. I am hoping for grace as well. I am looking at returning next year.
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Latasha Cortes
Medical Technologist/Scientist, non-supervisor (CT,MLS,MT)
Original Message:
Sent: 10-29-2024 15:11
From: Lorraine Doucette
Subject: Obtaining medical laboratory experience after having left the field for some time
I know someone who had a 30 year break between working in a clinical laboratory and working in an entirely different field. Her husband used the fact that his lawyer contacted the local hospital's clinical lab manager and asked if this person could be hired back into the lab after such a long gap. Her ex-husband did not have to pay any alimony because the lab manager's answer was a "Yes!." She worked for 10 years at that clinical hospital laboratory before retiring last year.
I would contact the lab supervisor or manager and explain your gap in employment. It is not discrimination, it is just life. Ask if you can start as part time to gain your skills back. Working in chemistry or hematology might be the best option, too much has changed in blood bank and microbiology, although you might want to brush up on your cell morphology. Check out clinics too as an employment opportunity. Good luck!
Lorraine Doucette
DMRT University of Maryland School of Medicine
Baltimore MD
(410)979-1976, ldoucette@som.umaryland.edu
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Lorraine Doucette
DMRT University of Maryland School of Medicine
Baltimore MD
(410)979-1976
Original Message:
Sent: 10-25-2024 20:29
From: Sarah Blake
Subject: Obtaining medical laboratory experience after having left the field for some time
Hi,
I would like to know how a medical laboratory technician is supposed to obtain medical laboratory experience when returning to the field after several years? I ask this because I took a leave from the field to attend to my family and am trying to return to the field, however, I am being asked if I have any medical laboratory experience other than what I have submitted in my resume. I asked a Laboratory manager this question and his response was that I should have had a job in order to obtain this experience despite the fact that I already put my experience in my resume. It seems like you have to have a job in the medical laboratory in order to obtain experience to get a job in the medical laboratory, but, when and how am I supposed to obtain this experience to get a job after having the break in my resume. I already have a degree in Medical Laboratory Technology, and I have worked in a medical laboratory in the past as well as having current credentials but yet I am supposed to have gotten more experience in the laboratory when I was wasn't working as a technician. Why do hiring managers ask this question when clearly the evidence of my experience is in my resume and credentials? It is not like a person can obtain this experience by just walking into a laboratory and asking to gain access into their lab without being an employee already, due to security and HIPPA regulations. So how can one obtain this experience without being an employee? This feels like a catch 22, you have to have a job in order to get the job. What can I do to obtain the laboratory experience outside of retaking the Medical Laboratory training? Why isn't my resume and credentials enough and why would a hiring manager waste my time and theirs by asking this question?
Sarah Wirth-Blake