Program Overview
Graduates of this program have the basic technical and theoretical skills required to work in healthcare laboratories and assist the Medical Laboratory Technologist in various investigative and clinical laboratory procedures including sample collection and processing. This program will appeal to students who have good organizational skills. They must also be excellent communicators with good interpersonal skills and a professional image. Students must have the ability to deal with stressful and emergent situations.
Program Highlights
- Well organized, balanced program focused on both theory and clinical skills.
- Four-week placement in a clinical laboratory environment.
- Graduates of this accredited program are eligible to write the CSMLS MLA certification exam, which provides a professional credential recognized by the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science and the Professional Standards Council.
Career Opportunities
Diverse employment opportunities exist with hospital, private and public health laboratories, clinics, research labs, and commercial diagnostic supply companies. Lab technician, phlebotomist (responsible for taking blood samples), and clinic assistant are typical positions.
Program Goals
The Medical Laboratory Technician program is designed to produce graduates who have the basic technical and theoretical skills required to work in healthcare laboratories, and assist the Medical Laboratory Technologist in various investigative and clinical laboratory procedures including sample collection and processing. Graduates will meet all requirements of the Canadian Society of Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) MLA competencies and will be eligible to obtain certification from the CSMLS by challenging the CSMLS MLA Exam.
Admission Requirements
OSSD with the majority of courses at the College (C), University (U), University/College (M) or Open (O) level plus:
- Grade 12 English - ENG4U, ENG4C, EAE4C or EAE4U
- Grade 12 Math (C) or (U)
- Senior Level Chemistry (C) or (U)
- Senior Level Biology (C) or (U)
OR
- Equivalent courses from the Pre-Health Sciences Pathway to Advanced Diplomas and Degrees program or the Academic and Career Entrance program.
Mature students - See Admission Procedures for details.
For more information, see the Admission Procedures document on the Registrar's Office page.
Important Information
This is a HIGH-INTEREST program and has the potential to become oversubscribed. Applicants are advised to apply before February 1st. See Admission Procedures for details.
Field/Clinical Placements
Applicants are required to have the following completed prior to clinical placement. You are responsible for the associated costs.
- N95 Mask Fit Testing
- Employer requirement for up-to-date POLICE CLEARANCE (vulnerable sector screening)
- Any student unable to obtain a clearance may jeopardize the internship portion of the program and thus program completion.
- It is the responsibility of the student to incur all costs related to obtaining the Police Clearance.
- Clinical placements may be located out of town. You are responsible for travel and accommodation costs.
Health Requirements
- Medical Requirements Form
- A satisfactory medical exam.
- An up-to-date immunization record including tetanus and diphtheria, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chicken pox), Hepatitis B (incl. Hep B titre within the last 24 months) and TB skin test.
Courses
The curriculum below is for incoming students:
Placement Requirements
This is to make you aware that, although a COVID-19 vaccination is not required to attend St. Clair College, all of our clinical placement sites are requiring students to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 to be eligible to attend. Students who are not fully vaccinated cannot be provided with a clinical placement for their program and therefore will not be able to complete their programs. Please be advised that COVID-19 booster shots and or other requirements may become mandatory for clinical placement, however, they are not currently required.
If you have any questions about the COVID-19 vaccines, please contact our St. Clair College Health Centre at 519-972-2727 ext. 4484 (in Windsor) or 519-354-9100 ext. 3729 (in Chatham).
Program Physical Demands Analysis
Program Vocational Learning Outcomes
Medical Laboratory Assistant (Ontario College Certificate) (MTCU Code 41609)
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Apply fundamental competencies in the performance of tasks assigned and within the scope of the MLA profession.
- Conduct professional practice that meets legal and ethical requirements and in accordance to established protocols, safety guidelines, and existing legislation.
- Interact with colleagues, patients, clients, and other health professionals in a professional and competent manner, using effective listing, verbal and written communication.
- Verify relevant data and ensure the procurement of appropriate specimens according to established protocols.
- Process specimens from a variety of sources according to established protocols.
- Perform pre-analytical procedures on specimens from a variety of sources according to established protocols.
- Prepare reagents/media using approved methods and equipment for medical laboratory testing according to standards and established procedures.
- Follow quality assurance policies and procedures and participate in quality assurance initiatives.
- Develop and implement effective strategies for ongoing personal and professional development that support currency, competence, ethics and values in the medical laboratory sector.
Visa Screen
Applicants for the CGFNS Visa Screen process will have records (Official Transcript) of their MLT training, experience, and other course work assessed for hours equivalency to be provided to the International Commission on Healthcare Professions (ICHP). MLS applicants must provide a signed copy of the "Request for Academic Records of Clinical Laboratory Scientists and Clinical Laboratory Technicians for Visa Screen" for application to be processed.
Forms can be submitted to Boris Jovic in the Registrar’s Office - BJOVIC@stclaircollege.ca
Please note there is a charge $169.50 ($150 VISA Screen, $16.50hst)
Additional Information
- CSMLS
- Textbooks and other materials such as scrubs, safety materials, police clearance, mask fit and CSMLS exam costs are in addition to Tuition Fees.
- Letter for Incoming Students