Laboratory Professionals Member Community

Why would a hiring manager ask the experience - written communication is in a resume but verbal communication in a F2F interview- how confident and enthusiastic you're in describing your experience and how you enjoyed working with the team (Coworkers and Managers) - Emotional intelligence, Interpersonal Skills 

Ways and Means of obtaining an experience outside of retaking the MLT training:

Attend wet workshops -refresher sessions 

CDC OneLab VR:  VR offers laboratory professionals the opportunity to apply, assess, and improve their skills in a safe and controlled learning environment. In other words, VR simulations allow learners to make costly mistakes while learning new skills with no real-world consequences.

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

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.

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

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. 

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.

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