I’ve Graduated, What Now?

1. I’ve Graduated, What Now? Terry Kotrla, MS, MT(ASCP)BB

2. What Now? • Resume • Interview • Board of Certification Exam • MLT to MLS • Professionalism • Giving Back

3. Resume • Many entry level job seekers believe they are at a disadvantage because they have little or no work experience. • Prepare a functional resume. • Emphasizes what you know, what you've accomplished, and the skills you possess, rather than where you've worked in the past. 

4. Functional Resume • Top has name and contact information such as your street address, telephone number and an email address • Education – screeners want to know you have minimum qualifications required, for laboratory AAS in MLT. • Bulleted list or table of skills and knowledge you've acquired. • List of equipment you have been trained on. • Certifications – PBT and MLT • One great way to build up your resume is to volunteer. 

5. One or Two Pages? • Ideally, your resume should be one page, because recruiters and managers have short attention spans • It’s your ad; it doesn’t have to be comprehensive. • If you feel the need to write down everything you’ve done in your entire career, you’re not thinking about the buyer, who just needs to know what’s relevant • Entry level resumes should be one page, you don’t have the work experience. • Review and highlight key words in job advertisement and use in resume. • As you acquire more work experience one recommendation is to have 1 page for recruiters and 2 page for hiring manager. • Two pages OK but 3 or more is too much.

6. Questions??

7. Application • Most employers now require online submission. • Visit http://www.austincc.edu/mlt/clinical for a list of our clinical sites which has links to the sites web page. • If there is a site you would like to apply to but would like to see the lab first it may be possible to make an appointment with the lab manager. • Take care! • They are VERY busy.

8. Program Director as Reference • List MLT Program Director as reference • Since you have no job experience the PD will be the source local employers will call. • PD can legally only give information about: • Program completion • Attendance • If you wish additional information to be given you must complete a Student Reference Request Form.

9. Questions??

10. Interview • Research the company. • Most companies have web sites. • What is important to know: • Bed size if it’s a hospital number of beds will clue you in to level of expertise required. • Reference lab what is the service area, Austin area, state of Texas, national, international? • Doctor’s office- what type of patients do they serve and number of doctors, clues you in to types of lab tests and workload.

11. Interview • Do some research on the web for interview techniques. • Read the advertisement or job description to identify which personal attributes and behaviors are likely to be key success factors for the role. • Review the questions on the handout and prepare answers ahead of time and PRACTICE answering them. • Wear appropriate attire • No scrubs • No suits or ties • Business casual • Conservative jewelry and make up • What NOT to wear: http://jobsearch.about.com/od/interviewattire/a/interviewnot.htm • Bring nice portfolio with copies of your resume. • Have pen and paper for note taking.

12. Interview • BE ON TIME • This means 5 to 10 minutes EARLY. • Know where you are going, • Take a test drive at the approximate time you will be leaving so you know traffic conditions. • Interview committee may have 3-5 people.

13. Interview • STAY CALM -Relax, deep, cleansing breath. • Maintain eye contact with interviewer. • Listen to ENTIRE question before you answer, pay attention, you will be embarassed if you forget the question. • Try to relate what you know about the company when answering questions.  • When discussing your career accomplishments match them to what the company is looking for.

14. Interview • Think 'STAR' - Situation or Task, Action and Result. • There are several variations of this acronym in the recruiting industry, but all of them are intended to provide structure and focus to your answers. • When asked about a type of situation, the interviewer is looking at how you responded to it via a specific example. • Using the STAR model you would break your answer into the three segments of; description of the task, then the action you took, and the final measurable result. • Prepare at least one STAR response for each personal attribute you may be questioned on. • Make sure you don't use the same example for all the attributes.

15. Interview • Use recent examples as you will be probed for details around the situation, it is better to use events in the last 12-18 months as the detail will be clearer in your mind. • Practice telling your stories until they are vivid and concise, one to three minutes long. • Remember, you are selling your technical AND personal skills, being able to communicate your adaptability and relatedness at an interview is essential to becoming the leading candidate.

16. Interview • Always follow-up with a thank you note reiterating your interest in the position. • If you interview with multiple people send each one a thank you note.

17. Questions??

18. Certification • Why not? • It’s not required in Texas • I can get a job without it why bother? • Why it is important • Demonstrates that you have entry level knowledge and abilities. • Demonstrates that you take your career seriously. • Improves your salary. • What if you move? MANY states REQUIRE certification. • After 5 years you are NOT eligible.

19. Certification = $ • Survey Finds Certified Medical Laboratory Professionals Earn More than Non-Certified Personnel • Certified staff level MLTs earn 10% more compared to those who are not certified.

20. ASCP Board of Certification • ASCP BOC certification is widely accepted as the gold standard in the field of certification of medical laboratory professionals. • BOC-certified individuals have long been recognized by hiring managers as possessing the necessary competence to perform the medical laboratory roles they seek. • Equal candidates apply for a job the ASCP certified individual WILL be hired.

21. ASCP Board of Certification • If you are graduating in August submit your application starting July 1st . • You MUST complete the program and all academic requirements. • Email sent to MLT Program Director. • Program Director MUST approve for application to be completed. • You MUST submit official transcripts verifying completion of the degree.

22. BOC Study Tips • Begin early. • The sooner you start, the more time you’ll have to prepare for the test. • And the more you prepare, the better your chances are of doing well. • Identify your strengths and weaknesses. • Review your performance on practice tests, course grades, class tests, and laboratory experience and plan accordingly. • Spend more time on your weak areas. And be sure to allow enough time to review all areas. • Use your textbooks. • They often cover a broad range of knowledge in a given field and often include review questions at the end of chapters that are useful for self-study. • Spend some time studying every day. • It’s better to study for a short time every day than to spend several hours just once a week or every two weeks. • Make it part of your daily routine by setting aside a regular place and time.

23. BOC Study Tips • Organize a study group or find a study partner. • Many find it helpful to study with the support of others. • Take turns quizzing each other and keep each other focused. • Review the candidate materials thoroughly. • The procedure book, content outlines, and reading lists are excellent resources. • Pay particular attention to content outlines, which will help you identify the areas that will be included on the examination. • HINT: The examination will not include anything that is not on the content outline. • Practice answering multiple-choice questions. • Get plenty of rest and be sure to eat something before taking the examination

24. Computer Adaptive Test (CAT) • Measures knowledge and skills more accurately and quickly than standard fixed-form tests. • A more difficult question follows a correct answer and a less difficult question follows an incorrect answer in order to identify the test taker’s ability level in each area. • The ability level (minimally competent) is already established. • NOTE: Because the test is sequential, the test taker cannot skip a question. If a question is skipped, the test will not be able to determine an appropriate next question. • The best score that can be achieved is the score that would be received by answering the first few questions correctly in the first place.

25. Computer Adaptive Test (CAT) • The questions will become easier until the lower limit of the test – or a fixed maximum number of questions – is reached. • Even though a test taker could choose incorrect answers and change them to the correct answers during review, it offers no advantage because the adaptive portion of the examination occurs only during the initial answering of the questions. • Once the examination is completed, the test taker can review the answers and make changes. • While changes that are made after the examination is completed will modify the total score, they do not affect which questions are asked.

26. Computer Adaptive Test (CAT) • The score cannot exceed that which is given for the highest level the examinee is asked, regardless of how the examinee changes the answers. • In addition to taking a chance of error in modifying the questions during review, the best score that can be achieved is the score that would be received by answering the first few questions correctly in the first place. • “Tornado” affect

27. Computer Adaptive Test (CAT) • CAT as it’s used by BOC, the next question you receive is based on how you did on the previous question. • If you get the answer right, you will receive a more difficult question. • If you get the answer wrong, your next question will be easier.

28. Taking the Exam • Review all the answer choices before selecting your answer, often a choice that seems correct may not be the best answer. • Choose the best answer. • Don’t spend too much time on any one question so that you’ll have plenty of time to answer every question. • Review all your answers after you complete the exam. • Don’t choose “C” when you’re not sure, tests are designed so that there is no one answer that appears more frequently than other answers. • Answer all questions to the best of your ability. • The computerized test requires that you answer a question before you can proceed to the next question. There’s no penalty for guessing.

29. CAT – Is Faster Better?? • No, research has shown that there is no statistically significant relationship between test speed and test performance. • CAT focuses on the test taker’s ability level – presenting questions with a 50% probability that the test taker will get them right – as the test continues, questions will continue to approach the test taker’s ability level and may begin to take longer. • There is plenty of time for you to answer the questions on your examination, so there is no advantage to answering the questions more quickly or at a slower pace than anyone else.

30. CAT - After the Exam • Immediately after completing the certification examination, your students will see their results on the computer screen, indicated as “Pass” or “Fail.” • The following day, the BOC receives the test results and mails score reports to every test taker who submitted an official transcript. • Any student who takes the certification examination without submitting a final transcript at the time of application will not receive a score report.

31. Resources • Examination Content Guidelines – includes competency statements and the examination content outline • Reading lists – Reading lists for many certification categories are available at ascp.org/certification. • Online practice tests – 50-question practice exams are available for purchase, 90 days • Board of Certification Study Guide, 5th edition

32. Questions??

33. Certification Maintenance Program • Following successful completion of the certification examination, certificants receive a Certificate of Qualification, along with a CMP information packet. • The certificant receives mail and e-mail alerts about upcoming certification expiration dates. • Certificants should contact the ASCP BOC with any changes to their contact information.

34. Certification Maintenance Program • MLS/MT, MLT 36 points required • 1 point in safety • 2 points in each of the following: blood banking, chemistry, hematology and microbiology • Remaining points in area(s) of lab specialty, immunology, molecular diagnostics, management, education or other related laboratory areas of interest • Renew your ASCP student membership in August for 1 more free year. • ASCP members are eligible for 6 free CE per year. • http://ascp.org/Services/FreeCE.aspx

35. Questions??

36. Professionalism or How to Lose a Job • Affective traits may be difficult to measure in an interview. • Punctuality and attendance are CRUCIAL. Labs are running at minimal staffing and being late or absent tremendously increases the stress of staff members present. • Failing to recognize limitations – if you don’t know ASK. • Over confidence – thinking you know more than others. • Toxicity – gossip, creating drama, talking negatively about one employee to another. • Take care with social networking. • Over the years networking platforms such as Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn have become a must for job seekers. • Be careful what you post! • http://tinyurl.com/lfm25s • http://tinyurl.com/2b4uj78 • http://www.dearheadhunter.com/dh_columns/losejob.html

37. Professional • Join and maintain membership in a laboratory professional organization • ASCP • ASCLS • Professional membership demonstrates your commitment to keep up in the field. • If you become a specialist join specialty groups as well.

38. Questions??

39. Specialty Organizations • American Association of Blood Banks http://www.aabb.orgTransfusion • American Association for Clinical Chemistry http://www.aacc.orgClinical Chemistry • American Society for Hematology http://www.hematology.orgBlood • American Society for Microbiology http://www.asmusa.orgJournal of Clinical Microbiology • American Association of Immunologists http://www.aai.orgJournal of Immunology • National Environmental Health Association http://www.neha.orgJournal of Environmental Health • American Academy of Forensic Sciences http://www.aafs.orgJournal of Forensic Sciences • American Medical Association http://ama-assn.orgJAMA • Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America http://www.medscape.com/affiliates/shea/default.html/Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology

40. Keep Your Finger on the Pulse • It is CRUCIAL that you keep up with what is happening in laboratory medicine. • What is the job outlook like? ASCP Vacancy Survey http://tinyurl.com/4yxacpa • FREE Subscriptions • Advance for Laboratory Professionals http://laboratorian.advanceweb.com/ • Medical Laboratory Observerhttp://www.mlo-online.com/ • CAP Today http://tinyurl.com/6jb7era

41. MLT to MLS and Other Options • To move up the laboratory career ladder additional education is a must. • ACC grads do exceptionally well in MLS programs. • Online or on campus? • UTMB – online • UTSA - campus • Texas State – campus • After MLS consider specialty exams if you work in a highly technical department. • Consider Master’s and PhD programs

42. Giving Back • Caritas of Austin • ASCP Ambassador Program http://tinyurl.com/3hor3so • ASCP Volunteer overseas http://www.ascp.org/OutreachApply • Contact the MLT department and serve as a mentor or tutor for struggling MLT students.

43. References • http://laboratorian.advanceweb.com/ • http://www.ascp.org • http://www.ascls.org/ • CMP http://www.ascp.org/pdf/CMPBooklet.aspx • Entry Level Resume http://tinyurl.com/5vvtrfk