Lab Clinical Support Tech Job?

[Xlorgguss]

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So I applied for a Lab Clinical Support Tech job and I just got an email back looking to set up a phone interview. So here is an overview of the job-


Position Summary:

Under the supervision of the section Supervisor and with specific direction from the Lead Tech, this position has primary responsibility for the pre-analytical processing of patient specimens that are delivered to the laboratory 24 hours per day, 7 days a week. Exercises moderate skill, judgment and a knowledge of the terminology and common procedures and practices of Medical Technology. Enters and edits patient demographics in the laboratory and Hospital computer systems. Receives, prioritizes, accessions and distributes clinical specimens to appropriate laboratory sections in order to meet turnaround times designated by the department. Processes specimens appropriately in order to maintain specimen integrity. Serves as a resource to physicians, nurses and other laboratory personnel regarding specimen handling and processing.

Qualifications :

Associate's degree or some college level course in science or a related discipline; or an equivalent combination of education, experience or certification. Customer service experience preferred. Knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy/physiology a plus.


So I got the email back and I honestly didn't think that I would even get word back, let alone an interview. Is there anyone here that can sort of summarize what might be the day to day jobs/expectations for this sort of work? The specific department is Microbiology.

Now a little about myself, I do not have my Associates Degree, but I am obviously working towards my Bachelors in Biology. I have the customer service experience they are looking for (was a front-end supervisor) and I'm taking anatomy and physiology right now (I also took a course in high school). Now it's been a while since I've taken Biology (three years ago?) and I'm concerned about how well I could do. I mean I think that I definitely have the ability to be able to do it, especially with training, but does anyone have any resources that could be of any benefit? Like websites, books, etc?

I'm also curious as to how this sort of job would look on me. I have worked retail before (2.5 years with various promotions/leadership experience). And I now have been working as a sort of Home Health Aide in a residential setting for aging developmentally disabled seniors for the past 8.5 months.

Would leaving now show a "lack of commitment" or whatever? I could drop down and work per diem as to still have the experience, but the support tech job is also full time.

If it comes down to it (I get the job) and I have to choose, thee is definitely a bunch to consider.

Current Job:

Pros:
-Full-time
-I like the residents I work with
-Awesome PTO
-Health/Dental insurance
-Literally right across the street from where I live= low gas spending

Cons:
-Staff is annoying
-No regular raises
-Pretty limited to movement in the company (ie next step is management)
-Boring. How many baths, crafts, movies can you watch?
-I don't have the time to be able to do school work (at work) I know that sounds terrible, but... (and I don't expect to have that time at the other job



Tech Job:

Pros:
-Somewhat relevant actually using some science and "stuff"?
-Higher pay?? (It would have to be higher than 10.16, right??)
-Tuition discount at college
-Associated with a college/medical school
-Lab experience?
-Open doors to other positions?
-Networking?
-Weekends off

Cons:
-Longer travel to work
-Working during the week leaves less time for studying during the week.
-Shift is 4-12:30

Any input would be greatly appreciated!

(oh and FWIW I also applied for phleb positions at the same hospital, but I haven't heard back yet)

 

[Xlorgguss]

It looks like you'll be collecting and labeling urine and/or blood samples in your new job. Have fun! 🙂

This job will probably be even more boring than your current job with less interaction with others. You could call it "lab experience," but you likely won't learn much "science and stuff" after the first week or two on the job. Ask for more specifics during your interview.

That doesn't really sound all that exciting, but honestly I think anything might be more stimulating than asking how big someone's BM was.

 

[mvenus929]

It sounds like you'll be preparing a lot of specimens for micro. So you'll get the swab, and be responsible for plating it for culture, maybe making the gram stain, while the micro people will be pulling them out the incubator to read them.

If you work outside of micro, you might also be the one to spin and distribute blood specimens, or spinning urine specimens for micro analysis.

I worked as a phleb in a hospital for a year and a half, and that's generally what our lab techs did. We'd do the immediate processing... recording that it got down to the lab and bringing it back to the necessary department, and they'd do the processing from there until someone with a bachelor's could actually analyze the specimen and turn out results.

It's good experience working in a lab, and you get a good sense of common mistakes both nurses and physicians make up on the floor. But you won't be doing too much interacting with patients.

 

[Xlorgguss]

Is there any resources you might have that would help me sort of have an idea what I'm doing? I never took Micro. I opted for Ecology and A&P instead. But I plan to still work per diem with the agency I currently work with (the developmentally disabled) which I believe to be clinical work. So the combination of the two could be nice.

 

[mvenus929]

Is there any resources you might have that would help me sort of have an idea what I'm doing? I never took Micro. I opted for Ecology and A&P instead. But I plan to still work per diem with the agency I currently work with (the developmentally disabled) which I believe to be clinical work. So the combination of the two could be nice.

I dunno... google basic microbiology. You'll likely be taught everything you need to know about the job, but it wouldn't hurt to understand the difference between gram negative and gram positive bacteria, beta vs. alpha vs. gamma hemolysis, and how to test for antibiotic sensitivity. Those are all things you'll learn to some degree in med school, but knowing them now will help you understand the lingo in the micro department a little more.

 

[common man]

in this economy, i say go for the job if you can't find better. having said that, it is a boring job that will drain you.

 

[Xlorgguss]

in this economy, i say go for the job if you can't find better. having said that, it is a boring job that will drain you.

What do you think will be so draining? Just the repetitive nature of the job?

In order for me to take it I need it to be more than like 10.30 an hour. Any ideas on the typical pay rate for something like this?