Any Medical Technologists Applying for or In Pharmacy School?

[pharmnhammer]

I just wondered how many SDNers were, or are still, med techs that were in pharmacy school, recently accepted or applying.

I am yet another pharmacy applicant switching careers.

I will be attending TTUHSC SOP this year.

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[Bhavesh]

what's a medical technologist?

 

[PArTyKikI]

I just wondered how many SDNers were, or are still, med techs that were in pharmacy school, recently accepted or applying.

I am yet another pharmacy applicant switching careers.

I will be attending TTUHSC SOP this year.

Hi. How long have you been working as Med. tech. if you dun mind me asking?
Where did you work and what's the salary? Thanks.

 

[pharmdiva]

Hello!

I'm a medical technologist as well. I am so ready to change careers!!!! I am applying to University of Houston's program early decision this September. I am still trying to decide if I will continue working after I begin the program. I have gotten mixed reviews on whether it's a good idea to work. Some say yes, others no. But, I really don't want to take out more loans than absolutely necessary, and with a mortgage...I will definitely benefit from the added income. What are your plans?

 

[pharmnhammer]

what's a medical technologist?

An MT is a person who should have a B.S. degree and be certified or registered to run medical laboratory tests on various samples collected from outpatients and inpatients.

LAYMAN'S terms applied. I can definitely describe more.

I have been an MT for 13 years since graduation in '94.

 

[Bhavesh]

An MT is a person who should have a B.S. degree and be certified or registered to run medical laboratory tests on various samples collected from outpatients and inpatients.

LAYMAN'S terms applied. I can definitely describe more.

I have been an MT for 13 years since graduation in '94.

are there any traits of the profession that's related or may help in preparation of becoming a pharmacist?

 

[mamaof2]

I am currently starting my internship for Medical Technology. I just found out that I am on the waiting list at OU college of pharmacy. Medical Technology is my back up plan, but pharmacy is a career that I really want.

 

[mike36]

I've been an MT for two years. I was just accepted to pharmacy school at UT Austin. I plan to work about 12-15 hours while in school at my current job. I work in a reference lab in hematology, urinalysis, blood bank, and serology.

 

[eelo]

are there any traits of the profession that's related or may help in preparation of becoming a pharmacist?

Well, I would say that individuals have traits, not professions. However, the schooling required to become a licensed MT involves a lot of organic chem, microbiology, and physiology. Most MTs have a good handle on the physiologic response and clinical/empirical picture of a patient taking certain medications, and they probably have a good understanding of the reason for the patient to be on the meds. Plus, MTs speak fluent 'hospital.'

Depending on what part of the laboratory they work in, they may have other skills that will be of great use in advanced labs during pharm school.

 

[missnikki]

I've considered this as well. What is the avg. salary for MTs? I found different values given on the internet when I did a search.

 

[pharmnhammer]

Hello!

I'm a medical technologist as well. I am so ready to change careers!!!! I am applying to University of Houston's program early decision this September. I am still trying to decide if I will continue working after I begin the program. I have gotten mixed reviews on whether it's a good idea to work. Some say yes, others no. But, I really don't want to take out more loans than absolutely necessary, and with a mortgage...I will definitely benefit from the added income. What are your plans?

Hello. I sold my house in order to move to Amarillo. Even so, if school was near my home, rent is way better during school than a mortgage. A house tends to come up with four-figure surprises and the monthly up-keep that takes time away from studies.

As for work, I may apply for a part-time job in one of the three hospitals there, but it is not necessary. I may apply for a little fin.aid, but my wife's job may keep me from doing so. I have been told that work in any degree is not recommended as our school will keep us very busy.

🙂

 

[pharmnhammer]

I've considered this as well. What is the avg. salary for MTs? I found different values given on the internet when I did a search.

Salaries vary all over the country. I am sure if you go to ASCP website that you can find the results of a salary survey for the past year.

Salaries in Texas vary starting at ~$40k with experienced techs making closer to $50k and above. Managers make closer to $60k and laboratory directors make closer to or above $70k, depending on the facility.

If you can handle minimal stress and minimal professional healthcare exposure (doctors, nurses, etc.) for the money, medical technology is for you.

😎

 

[mike36]

Starting pay in Austin, TX is around 16.50/hr.

 

[pharmnhammer]

👍

Add another MT to the list. It looks like there are a number of us turning to Pharmacy. I am trying to find a lot of Organic and Calculus that has left me over the past ten years in preparation for the PCAT. Any advice would be appreciated. Thx, T

If your application requires it, shadow a pharmacist, especially where you work so that their pharmacy overlooks HIPAA concerns.

Make sure what ever prereqs you have taken are not too old. Some of mine were. Just e-mail your schools of interest for any of those concerns.
I had to retake some and enrolled in some new ones over the past 7 years.

I used KAPLAN PCAT. I found it pretty helpful.

There are some other sources recommended in the Pre-Pharmacy threads.
👍

 

[pharmdusn]

Hi All,
I am also a Med tech for almost 10yrs now trying to get into pharmacy. I have looked at the whole picture from front to back and I can say that for me Pharmacy is the best route. As medical Technologists we had to take alot of chem classes inculding org I and II and Qualitative analysis and biochem. I say most med techs can handle pharmacy school and to all of you out there keep your heads up and apply the sky is the limit. Medical Technologist have a very important job to do but the low salaries, lack of respect and intense schooling involved in becoming a med tech makes it not such a worthwhile career atleast for me. Coming out of a 4yr program and having to make $16.50 in Austin, Tx is crazy if you ask me. After taking calc I and II, Physics I and II and a lot of upper level bio course you make $16.50 per hr? LVN's or LPN's and AA level RN's make more than this and I am not putting any profession down but they did not take all these hard classes and spend this much time in school. Something is definately wrong and that's why Med techs are leaving the field. To all The MT's out there who want to change to Pharmacy. I say go for it!!

 

[pharmnhammer]

Hi All,
I am also a Med tech for almost 10yrs now trying to get into pharmacy. I have looked at the whole picture from front to back and I can say that for me Pharmacy is the best route. As medical Technologists we had to take alot of chem classes inculding org I and II and Qualitative analysis and biochem. I say most med techs can handle pharmacy school and to all of you out there keep your heads up and apply the sky is the limit. Medical Technologist have a very important job to do but the low salaries, lack of respect and intense schooling involved in becoming a med tech makes it not such a worthwhile career atleast for me. Coming out of a 4yr program and having to make $16.50 in Austin, Tx is crazy if you ask me. After taking calc I and II, Physics I and II and a lot of upper level bio course you make $16.50 per hr? LVN's or LPN's and AA level RN's make more than this and I am not putting any profession down but they did not take all these hard classes and spend this much time in school. Something is definately wrong and that's why Med techs are leaving the field. To all The MT's out there who want to change to Pharmacy. I say go for it!!

Good to hear from you!

Although those nurses had less scientific education for their role, they do handle a lot more clinical and personal challenges than you or I. That could be figured into their rate of pay (as well as the demand for them). I still wonder why phlebotomists aren't paid more for the crap that they put up with.
I once considered nursing (BSN) but I would have had to retake SO many classes. I also considered it for the financial benefit. But then, I had to look into what I wascapable of and would be receptive to as well as what patients would be receptive to. I also considered lifting heavy patients, risking the injury of my already weakened back from years of manual labor before Medical Technology (not that I haven't stopped putting away SYSMEX reagents).

You know, its not that I have dreamed for years of becoming a pharmacist. I have done all that I can do with Medical Technology and it's time to move on.

 

[mike36]

With regards to comparing the pay of MTs to other professions, it is my opinion that we should make AT LEAST as much as RNs do. Our job is at least as important as nursing. There's no way a doctor is going to be able to make a definitive diagnosis without lab testing in many instances, i.e. Samonella vs Campylobacter vs E. coli. Nor will he know what antibiotics to prescribe for a patient's M. tuberculosis infection without a drug sensitivity panel.

I mean no disrespect to nurses or other healthcare professionals. I just think that it's high time MTs get the respect and the pay we deserve. Seriously, it is so annoying that the majority of people out there, even those that work in healthcare, don't know what an MT is or what we do. This is exemplified by the above post that didn't know what a medical technologist was.

Sorry to go off on a rant, but starting at 16.50/hr after five years of college is insulting.

 

[pharmnhammer]

With regards to comparing the pay of MTs to other professions, it is my opinion that we should make AT LEAST as much as RNs do. Our job is at least as important as nursing. There's no way a doctor is going to be able to make a definitive diagnosis without lab testing in many instances, i.e. Samonella vs Campylobacter vs E. coli. Nor will he know what antibiotics to prescribe for a patient's M. tuberculosis infection without a drug sensitivity panel.

I mean no disrespect to nurses or other healthcare professionals. I just think that it's high time MTs get the respect and the pay we deserve. Seriously, it is so annoying that the majority of people out there, even those that work in healthcare, don't know what an MT is or what we do. This is exemplified by the above post that didn't know what a medical technologist was.

Sorry to go off on a rant, but starting at 16.50/hr after five years of college is insulting.

I totally empathize, my friend.

I started much lower than that in 1994. That is the main reason that I changed employment with several hospitals, full-time and part-time, throughout my thankless career. I mean, I don't blame anyone for my choosing the MT field years ago. I just wish I had known a lot more about it then so that I wouldn't be changing fields, again. TTUHSC SOP was not around when I started Med Tech school, but I did need to work as soon as I got out of college.

Oh well, Let's make pharmacy the best of it. I know I have researched it enough to know that I look forward to the profession.👍

 

[mike36]

I'm really excited about going into pharmacy. It will be nice to tell people what I do and not get blank stares in response.😀

 

[rielazegui]

I was going to be a med tech. I was suppose to start my clinical training on July 18 but going to MWU CPG in the fall instead. A lot of people i know in the program are using med tech as a back up or a stepping stone to something else.

 

[qwertygenius]

Hey guys,

I'm also a med tech for almost 10 years now and am applying to pharmacy school. I was just rejected from the only school that I applied to and will be applying again, but to more schools this time around. When I started in this profession, I made $12.20/hour. The amount of money that they pay you as an MT is pathetic, almost everyone in this career works at another lab part-time or PRN just to survive!

 

[rxforlife2004]

My classmate was a med tech and he just gradudated last week....🙂 He's a wonderful guy, though and very sharp, too.

 

[pharmnhammer]

I have known SO many MTs that have done so. Allopathic, Osteopathic, Optometry, Dentistry, Pharmacy, have I left anything out?

 

[pharmnhammer]

I was going to be a med tech. I was suppose to start my clinical training on July 18 but going to MWU CPG in the fall instead. A lot of people i know in the program are using med tech as a back up or a stepping stone to something else.

I was refering to this quote.
😳

 

[yanchan14]

I just graduated with a B.S. in med tech as well but I have never done the clinical training which means I dont have a license to work as a med tech. I'm going to OSU COP this fall but I really want to find a job as a med tech while I'm in pharm sch. Does anybody know if they do hire med tech who are not licensed ?? and seems like I'm making the right decision to get into pharm sch

 

[Falokis]

Med Tech here also. Pay is horrible to good depending on if you are willing to relocate. I'm applying to Pharm School right now, but for the next year I'm going to work in Miami. I got a 10k sign on bonus and will make $25 an hour there. Pay is going up pretty quick in areas of the country because no one wants to get a degree that is that hard and get paid jack for it. The government has limited what 2 year MLTs can do and that is driving demand for MTs up as the older folks that are mostly MLTs are retiring with no one coming in to replace them. I was offered a supervisor position with less than a year experience at my current hospital but turned it down to go to miami. I don't mind my job that much, but Pharmacy was always my goal and MT was just a stepping stone like others have said.

PS- I hate people not knowing what an MT is also.

 

[mike36]

I just graduated with a B.S. in med tech as well but I have never done the clinical training which means I dont have a license to work as a med tech. I'm going to OSU COP this fall but I really want to find a job as a med tech while I'm in pharm sch. Does anybody know if they do hire med tech who are not licensed ?? and seems like I'm making the right decision to get into pharm sch

I'm in Texas, and here techs aren't licensed so I'm not sure about that. As far as ASCP and NCA certification go, it's not required at my job unless you want to read diffs or urines (and probably some other benches too).

 

[tt_vo503]

Finish my rotation as MT in December, took my ascp in december, and went on an interview for pharmacy in December also. Got accepted in early january. Worked at MT for 6 months, and yesterday was my last day. In the 6 months, I was given a raise twice. One on my first day, and second about 3 months later. This is all before my 6 months review. After the raises and shift differentials (swing) I make ~$25/hour, but theres also many ways to make more than that. Half the time, i was the lead tech, and made 1.5 times that. And then there is overtime, I worked sicked to my face, but it's all about raking in the $$$$ before school, endless possibilities for making $$$. One of my coworker works 80hrs. a week, you do the math and see how much she makes a year.
Good luck to everyone applying this new cycle. Use your hospital jargon and show them what you got.

 

[tt_vo503]

I just graduated with a B.S. in med tech as well but I have never done the clinical training which means I dont have a license to work as a med tech. I'm going to OSU COP this fall but I really want to find a job as a med tech while I'm in pharm sch. Does anybody know if they do hire med tech who are not licensed ?? and seems like I'm making the right decision to get into pharm sch

Most clinics will hire you as a uncertified MT and pay you less, but there is usually some sort of requirment that you have to take the boards in a certain amount of time. I don't understand why you wont take it. The ASCP was a piece of cake. Lots of bloodbank discrepency problems.

 

[yanchan14]

Mine is a 4+1 program and I didn't do my clinical training yet so I'm not qualified to take the ascp unless I do the clinical training for half a year. I will be in pharm sch this fall so there's no way I can do the training at the same time ~~ thanks for the information though. I hope I can work as a med tech without a license.

 

[pharmnhammer]

Mine is a 4+1 program and I didn't do my clinical training yet so I'm not qualified to take the ascp unless I do the clinical training for half a year. I will be in pharm sch this fall so there's no way I can do the training at the same time ~~ thanks for the information though. I hope I can work as a med tech without a license.

How does an MT student graduate with an MT degree without clinical rotations being performed? That's news to me. If you apply without telling a hospital or reference lab that you've never trained, and they don't find out at first, after they've hired you they may find out by seeing how "untrained" you are during the first week or so.

Good Luck.

 

[MissBella]

Here in Cali, MT is known as CLS. CLS starts out the same pay as nurses: around $25/hour. While nurses get more raises, the same doesn't happen for CLS. I was on my way to do the 1 year training for CLS when I met 2 CLS and they both pointed me to a different direction: pharmacy school. I'm applying for pharmacy school right now, but if I could get enough LoR, I'm also applying for CLS training program this Sep. I could work on the weekend as CLS making $25/hr while in pharmacy school. Another bonus point for CLS is that CLS is less likely to kill a pt if he/she makes a mistake, but a pharmacist can kill a pt if he/she makes one.

 

[tt_vo503]

Here in Cali, MT is known as CLS. CLS starts out the same pay as nurses: around $25/hour. While nurses get more raises, the same doesn't happen for CLS. I was on my way to do the 1 year training for CLS when I met 2 CLS and they both pointed me to a different direction: pharmacy school. I'm applying for pharmacy school right now, but if I could get enough LoR, I'm also applying for CLS training program this Sep. I could work on the weekend as CLS making $25/hr while in pharmacy school. Another bonus point for CLS is that CLS is less likely to kill a pt if he/she makes a mistake, but a pharmacist can kill a pt if he/she makes one.

I would have to partially disagree with you. Just like a pharmacist dispensing drugs, some drugs dispensed wrong will kill a patient, but most wont. While as a CLS if you read a absc or a crossmatch wrong, you could very well cause a transfusion reaction and also kill a patient. If you turn out invalid results, you could skew the prognosis of the patient and things could turn from bad to worst. Lets say you're doing a differential, and you dont spot a blast or some type of weird cells that is critical to be noted and sent to the pathologist to be examined. Then the doctor doesn't really know what is really happening and think that there differential is just fine.

 

[mike36]

I would have to partially disagree with you. Just like a pharmacist dispensing drugs, some drugs dispensed wrong will kill a patient, but most wont. While as a CLS if you read a absc or a crossmatch wrong, you could very well cause a transfusion reaction and also kill a patient. If you turn out invalid results, you could skew the prognosis of the patient and things could turn from bad to worst. Lets say you're doing a differential, and you dont spot a blast or some type of weird cells that is critical to be noted and sent to the pathologist to be examined. Then the doctor doesn't really know what is really happening and think that there differential is just fine.

I agree with this. I'm very anal when I do diffs because I don't want to miss any blasts or NRBCs. There's a tech I work with who has been banned from doing diffs because she's missed blasts before. And as mentioned, blood bank techs have to be very careful when reading antibody screens or working up a panel.

 

[pharmdwannab]

Hey guys!

I was an MT for 10 years in South Carolina. When I left my job i was making 48,000/yr working in a molecular pathology lab. I was in a speciality lab and still didn't really make much money. It was climbing up there due to the shortage of MT's in South Carolina (mostly MLT's). I am getting ready to start my second year of pharmacy school at Wingate in NC and I am loving it! I am happy I made the decision. Pharmacy school is tough. I have never studied as much as I do now! It is well worth it though! Good luck to all of you and you are making the right decision!!😉

 

[eelo]

I would have to partially disagree with you. Just like a pharmacist dispensing drugs, some drugs dispensed wrong will kill a patient, but most wont. While as a CLS if you read a absc or a crossmatch wrong, you could very well cause a transfusion reaction and also kill a patient. If you turn out invalid results, you could skew the prognosis of the patient and things could turn from bad to worst. Lets say you're doing a differential, and you dont spot a blast or some type of weird cells that is critical to be noted and sent to the pathologist to be examined. Then the doctor doesn't really know what is really happening and think that there differential is just fine.

I think this is a little over-dramatic. I was a lab tech for over 20 years. Yes, lab tech do make some terrific calls, but for the most part, there are so many checks and balances within the laboratory that putting out a bad number isn't going to be critical. Granted, it's bad and it shouldn't be done, and a tech who does that needs to be looked at closely to find out why the result was bad, but get real- other than cytologists, there aren't any lab techs making diagnostic calls. One of the most important things I was taught was that lab techs don't make diagnoses, we confirm what the clinician suspects.

I guarantee you that a clinician has a much better idea whether or not there should be blasts on a diff than any technician or technologist does. In over 20 years in the laboratory (in five different hospitals), I never saw a patient die from a bad crossmatch or a missed antibody in a screen. I am not minimizing the importance of these tests, but I am trying to place the emphasis for patient care directly on those who provide it. That's why direct care-providers get paid more than technicians or technologists (at comparable educational levels) do: if the crossmatch is wrong, it's going to fall on the care provider to notice the reaction, pull the tube, and initiate the workup. I seriously doubt that there are providers out there who are changing prognoses based on one outlying lab result, so in reality, it's highly unlikely that "...you could skew the prognosis of the patient and things turn from bad to worst."

Give the direct-care providers some credit here. They generally know a bogus result when they see one.

 

[tt_vo503]

I think this is a little over-dramatic. I was a lab tech for over 20 years. Yes, lab tech do make some terrific calls, but for the most part, there are so many checks and balances within the laboratory that putting out a bad number isn't going to be critical. Granted, it's bad and it shouldn't be done, and a tech who does that needs to be looked at closely to find out why the result was bad, but get real- other than cytologists, there aren't any lab techs making diagnostic calls. One of the most important things I was taught was that lab techs don't make diagnoses, we confirm what the clinician suspects.

I guarantee you that a clinician has a much better idea whether or not there should be blasts on a diff than any technician or technologist does. In over 20 years in the laboratory (in five different hospitals), I never saw a patient die from a bad crossmatch or a missed antibody in a screen. I am not minimizing the importance of these tests, but I am trying to place the emphasis for patient care directly on those who provide it. That's why direct care-providers get paid more than technicians or technologists (at comparable educational levels) do: if the crossmatch is wrong, it's going to fall on the care provider to notice the reaction, pull the tube, and initiate the workup. I seriously doubt that there are providers out there who are changing prognoses based on one outlying lab result, so in reality, it's highly unlikely that "...you could skew the prognosis of the patient and things turn from bad to worst."

Give the direct-care providers some credit here. They generally know a bogus result when they see one.

You make a valid point, but not everyone who goes through MD school is as smart or intelligent as you think. I had the misfortune of being the first response to a case where a 21month's urine had semen in it. 2 ED doctors immediately came up and looked at the urine. One of them was competent but the other one truly wasn't I had the sperm dead centered on the microscope right in front of his eye sight and he still couldn't see it. I don't even think he's seen a real sperm under the microscope, but just seen pictures in textbooks. We were the first one's that notice this sickening case, the nurses were later asked to see if they saw anything while getting the urine out of the catheter, and they said that the reddening was unusual but never thought twice of it. How about this one, 2 blood culture sets were ordered, and the rn calls me an hour later. "Hey, I got the first set of blood cultures an hour ago, but got busy and I was unable to get the second set within the time frame, do i need to collect the first set again?" You tell me if should should trust them? I agree that there are multiple systems of checks and balances, but direct care providers make mistakes too, and usually more than us lab people I think, because they I guess, are way overworked. As for physicians go, not all of them are competent in what they do (just a little warning).
But all in all we all work as a team for the well being of our patients, so in the end, we should always be looking behind each others backs, and work as a team.
Also, the demand for MT's are getting greater by the day, as some of you still working in the lab may be experiencing right now. A coworker of mine just accepted a new position that is getting paid no lower than what rn's are making, and that's because that health system had a strong lab personnel union. I believe that lab personnels are underpaid because most are introverted and usually keep to themselves and don't speak their minds as other healthcare personnels do, thus their voices aren't heard and thus always at the bottom of the totem pole.
The weird thing I see about this is i've only been in the profession for 6 months, and you have been in the profession for over 20 years, and you sir, maybe resenting the profession. I took my BS in MT as my undergrad, and still it seems like I have more respect for the profession than you do.

 

[pharmdiva]

I just graduated with a B.S. in med tech as well but I have never done the clinical training which means I dont have a license to work as a med tech. I'm going to OSU COP this fall but I really want to find a job as a med tech while I'm in pharm sch. Does anybody know if they do hire med tech who are not licensed ?? and seems like I'm making the right decision to get into pharm sch

I'm not sure about the policies in every state, but I do know that in Texas you are required to get a ASCP certification before you can work in a lab. New graduates sometimes get a grace period in which to get certified. You would need to get your clinical training and then take the certification exam. Usually you do a year of clinicals full time. So, I don't know if it would be practical for you to pursue this if you are starting pharmacy school in the fall. Medical technologists with no experience do not get paid that much more than pharmacy techs - so I would suggest you take the Cpht exam instead, and get a job as a pharmacy tech. At least you would be exposed to pharmacy.

 

[pharmdiva]

I'm in Texas, and here techs aren't licensed so I'm not sure about that. As far as ASCP and NCA certification go, it's not required at my job unless you want to read diffs or urines (and probably some other benches too).

Where in Texas do you work? In Houston, all the hospitals require ASCP or NCA certification. The only people who have managed to get around the requirement are those med techs who have 20+ years of experience.

 

[PharmChick007]

Hey guys, another med tech here. I'm a med tech at a VA hospital. I have to agree with everyone that sometimes the pay sucks but the atmosphere and workload are pretty good compared to other hospitals. I make 52-54,000 including a little overtime every once in a while. I work in TN and you have to be licensed to work in any TN lab, although of course you do not have to be licensed to work at the VA. Every hospital even the VA requires certification preferably ASCP. I am applying to pharmacy school this fall at Univ of TN. I got my med tech degree from there in 2005 and I know that UT's program loves med techs, especially those who want to go into clinical pharmacy as I do. I'm hoping that alone will get me in the door for an interview. That and my grades, extracurriculars, etc. Many med techs from UT's program have gone to pharm school there as well. I suppose good recommendation letters from their own faculty also helps. I plan to work maybe 16-20 hours a week while in pharmacy school. That's one of the great things about being a med tech and pursuing other areas. You have an awesome foundation for medicine, pharmacy, and many other healthcare fields. There are 2 med techs here who just graduated nursing school. Many hospitals have PRN positions so you don't have to stress yourself trying to work 8hrs a day while in school, you can work PRN and kinda go when you have time especially a reference laboratory. Many times you can set your own hours and not be tied to working a certain time/amount of hours each week.
I know some think that med techs do not often directly affect patient care because we do not actually see the patient usually but a bad crossmatch can kill someone and quickly depending on the case. I have been in this field for 2 years and have seen residents that have no clue about diffs, or looking at urines microscopically, often outright asking "so what does that mean for my patient" Hell if you don't know then maybe you shouldn't HAVE patients.🙂
I keed I keed but people need to realize that a medical technologist is very critical to patient care and although physicians do treat empirically, many know how important it can be to wait for lab results. Med techs may not get the respect they deserve always but like it or not YOU would not want to be treated without checking labs first (i know i wouldn't) and you would want a competent person to do it, right? RESPECT YOUR MEDICAL TECHNOLOGISTS. WE HOLD THE POWER!!!

 

[eelo]

As for physicians go, not all of them are competent in what they do (just a little warning) ...........

The weird thing I see about this is i've only been in the profession for 6 months, and you have been in the profession for over 20 years, and you sir, maybe resenting the profession. I took my BS in MT as my undergrad, and still it seems like I have more respect for the profession than you do.

Thank you for the warning! Wow, I'll really take that to heart. You've got six months of experience under your belt and already you've saved the world! How exciting for you.

First of all, youneed to get this into your head in a wayt hat you can wrap your whole self around it and understand it: regardless of what your job is, you are only ONE piece in the whole healthcare picture.

Secondly: no matter how much you bitch, snivel and whine, MTs are not going to get paid the same as nurses. We all know the level of education is comparable, but it's just not going to happen. You want to know why? Take a good look around-- if you stay in medical technology, you'll find that there are a number ot MTs and other paboratory personnel who are there because they want to work in health care but they want to have limited direct patient access and little to no hands-on patient care. Why? Because patient care sucks if it's not something you like to do. So, you take your analytical mind and find something that does satisfy you and blammo! you're a med tech.

Don't make assumptions about why I feel the way I do about this career field. You know nothing about me; I've revealed nothing (compared to what you've told us about yourself). At this point in your career, your experience in medical technology (and probably in health care as a whole) is still severely limited. That's not your fault, but over time, I think you'll see that yoyur perspective on things will change.

Also- keep in mind that for every life-saving catch that you make, be it an odd white cell, or sperm in a baby's urine, or whatever you've got--- there are CNAs and "patient care techs" who are doing that time and again throughout the course of their day, when they notice a patient going south while the nurse is distracted, or a patient confides in them, or anything. And they're doing it without the benefit of a 4-year college education, and probablyfor about $12 an hour, if they've been there for ten years or more.

MTs provide a great service. But it's no greater than the service that anyone else in the profession provides..... and you'd do well to remember that.

Self-importance sucks.

 

[pharmdusn]

Thank you for the warning! Wow, I'll really take that to heart. You've got six months of experience under your belt and already you've saved the world! How exciting for you.

First of all, youneed to get this into your head in a wayt hat you can wrap your whole self around it and understand it: regardless of what your job is, you are only ONE piece in the whole healthcare picture.

Secondly: no matter how much you bitch, snivel and whine, MTs are not going to get paid the same as nurses. We all know the level of education is comparable, but it's just not going to happen. You want to know why? Take a good look around-- if you stay in medical technology, you'll find that there are a number ot MTs and other paboratory personnel who are there because they want to work in health care but they want to have limited direct patient access and little to no hands-on patient care. Why? Because patient care sucks if it's not something you like to do. So, you take your analytical mind and find something that does satisfy you and blammo! you're a med tech.

Don't make assumptions about why I feel the way I do about this career field. You know nothing about me; I've revealed nothing (compared to what you've told us about yourself). At this point in your career, your experience in medical technology (and probably in health care as a whole) is still severely limited. That's not your fault, but over time, I think you'll see that yoyur perspective on things will change.

Also- keep in mind that for every life-saving catch that you make, be it an odd white cell, or sperm in a baby's urine, or whatever you've got--- there are CNAs and "patient care techs" who are doing that time and again throughout the course of their day, when they notice a patient going south while the nurse is distracted, or a patient confides in them, or anything. And they're doing it without the benefit of a 4-year college education, and probablyfor about $12 an hour, if they've been there for ten years or more.

MTs provide a great service. But it's no greater than the service that anyone else in the profession provides..... and you'd do well to remember that.

Self-importance sucks.

Yes you are correct MT's do a great service it may not be the greatest service but I am sure we all MTs on this forum from 6mths to 20yrs of experience can agree on certain things. We are underpaid and there is little or no respect for the profession. Maybe as MT's we need to speak up and put things the way they are. We do not need self importance but professional importance thus making our profession known and appreciated. Pharmacist, doctors, nurses have a strong union so they are respected and paid well. Yes they have more hands on and direct patient care but each member of the healthcare team plays a vital part which cannot and should not be overlooked. The amount of schooling needed to become an MT is alot more than an associate RN and equal if not more in my opinion for the BS RNs and at the minimum MTs should make as much as nurses. Yes patients can die from blood bank problems and my MT instructor at shool many yrs ago said he has seen 2 cases. It is rare but it does and can happen. I am not saying that we are more imporatnt than nurses but we need to get our fare share on acknowlegement. Things need to change if not more MTs will move into Pharmacy and other professions and no one will be going into the field. Just my 2 cents. Good luck to all and keep on doing what you are doing and do it WELL.

 

[jaypea65]

Chalk me up as another lab rat jumping off of the blood wagon and pursuing pharmacy or whatever else tickles my fancy for many of the same reasons stated above. Good luck to all of you...and woe goes to the lab managers for the shortage that we are envoking.

 

[mike36]

Where in Texas do you work? In Houston, all the hospitals require ASCP or NCA certification. The only people who have managed to get around the requirement are those med techs who have 20+ years of experience.

I work in a reference lab in Austin. We have several "techs" who only have B.S. degrees in Biololgy with no laboratory training that run CBCs, urines, PT/PTTs, and hemoglobin A1Cs. We don't let them read anything microscopically (urines or diffs). We've also had techs that have done MLT training with the military who are not certified.

Also, the special chemistry supervisor is not certified either. My supervisor (hematology) only has his MT degree. Though I'm pretty sure he's certified, he doesn't have his SH and he's only 27 or 28 yrs. This is his first tech job.

Since we are always so short staffed, we have to be more lenient with our requirements. I'm sure we're not breaking any kind of laws though (I hope!). To give you an idea, We run >6000 CBCs a night, ~1500 urines, ~800 RPRs, etc. I'll read ~400 diffs by myself or ~1000 urine microscopics. This is why no one wants to work for us. It is VERY fast paced.

 

[mike36]

Just so that people understand me, I'm not trying to disrespect other health professionals like doctors, nurses, etc. I know that they know a lot more about their field than I do. However, it peeves me when they presume to know more about mine than I do. As already mentioned, most doctors wouldn't know a sperm cell from mucus in a urine. I on the other hand cannot diagnose patients, nor do I presume to be able to.

Also, I've seen a patient almost die because a blood bank tech missed an antibody in a screen. I believe it was a 1+ reaction and he missed it. He was transfused with RBCs that had the corresponding Ag. I'm sure it was due to the dilligence of the floor nurse checking the patient's vitals that ultimately saved his life.

But more often than that, the most common blood bank mistakes I've seen are when other healthcare workers (usually nurses), fail to match names and medical record numbers and put the wrong blood with the wrong patient.

Yes, it is true. I may suck at patient care. But I don't try to tell nurses how to do their job. So when I call a floor and a nurse or doctor presumes to tell me I am wrong when the mistake is theirs, it irritates me.

I'm not saying that I deserve to make more than a nurse (unless they are a 2 year RN, then yes!). I'm saying that I should make at least as much. Our job is just as important as a nurse's. A little respect would be nice too. I realize that patient care sucks if you don't like it, but the same can be said of lab work. Those that lack a certain amount of anal retentiveness would probably not be a good lab tech.