Hey all. I'm 24 years old, have a biology degree (undergrad) here, graduated in May 2020. Worked as an EMT for $15.75/hr in NYC after graduation (during COVID lmao) for just under a year. I started working at this lab last May, and at the time, was honestly just happy to get away from the bandaid box on wheels that was my previous employment. Working as a toxicology technician — only one in the lab, running mass spec, analyzer, and COVID PCR for $18/hr. Doing all data entry, reagent & supply orders, anything you can think of.
The crazy part is, the way it works is that urinalysis (main test since it's a “pain management” clinic) is billed as soon as these people piss in the cup. Insurance pays out ~700 bucks for each SAMPLE. Since insurance is assuming we're sending it out to QuestLabs or MetPath or something, not our own lab across state lines (to avoid DOH and tax regulations) to save money. I process roughly 150 samples a week, give or take. You're talking about $100k a week in billing, more or less.
When I was hired, there was a medical assistant doing data entry, and another technician who trained me. They have both left, and I have since been doing the work of three people. I'm asking for $28/hr today, full time, and benefits, wish me luck.
It just gets me so fucking mad. I did science because I love it — I love the work, the study, everything about biology and chemistry. I did not do this to become rich, yet I cannot even afford my own apartment after 4 years of college in “a field that really matters?” A lot of these nurses, EMTs, shit in some cases even doctors working during COVID aren't getting enough to keep food on the table, let alone something like hazard pay.