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.
Courses
The curriculum below is for incoming students:
Semester 1
| Code |
Title |
Credits |
|
MIT211A
|
Computer Studies For M.L.T.
|
2
|
|
MDL114
|
Health Care For Medical Laboratory Technicians
|
3
|
|
MDL111
|
Introductory Laboratory Knowledge
|
4
|
|
MDL109
|
Introduction To The Medical Laboratory Environment
|
4
|
|
MDL105A
|
Basic Laboratory Calculations
|
2
|
Semester 2
| Code |
Title |
Credits |
|
MDL202
|
Practical Clinical Chemistry
|
4
|
|
MDL204
|
Practical Microbiology
|
4
|
|
MDL205
|
Pract. Histotechnolgy/Cytology
|
4
|
Pre-Placement Requirements
St. Clair College has partnered with Synergy Gateway Inc to provide you access to Verified - a platform that is used by students at other post-secondary institutions across Ontario for the purpose of digitally collecting placement requirements related to placement(s). Synergy Gateway Inc will provide support and clearance to help with your required documentation. You will be required to complete an Electronic Requirements Verification (ERV) Review through the Verified platform in order to receive clearance to begin your clinical placement. You will be provided access to "Verified" via a secure username and password. You will use Verified to:
- Upload your pre-placement requirements documentation for review.
- Book your Electronic Requirements Verification (ERV) service (this is a service that reviews the documents you have uploaded and provides you a status as to your eligibility to begin placements).
- Track your ongoing requirements compliance.
Each student will receive log-in credentials to access Verified that will be sent to your St. Clair College email account. Please check your inbox, spam and junk mail folders for an email from the "Synergy Help Desk". You will be required to create a new password upon logging in. Be sure to view the video user guides and student guidebook to learn how to use the Verified platform.
Any associated fees for Synergy Gateway Inc to complete the pre-placement requirements are the sole responsibility of the students.
It is mandatory that students complete their ERV service through Verified to be eligible for your upcoming clinical placement.
Once your account has been set up with Verified, inquiries can be directed to Synergy Gateway Inc at www.Synergyhelps.com. You will need to submit a Help Desk ticket. Their Help Desk hours are Monday to Friday: 10 am - 3 pm, excluding holidays.
** Please note: If you are an International student completing a placement, you will require a valid COOP Work Permit.
Requirements
(Please refer to your Synergy communications for full details)
Additional Placement Requirements
Clinical sites may require additional onboarding documentation and activities, including training modules, tutorials, and site-specific forms. Students will be provided with their placement site location in March, to have sufficient time to make appropriate arrangements.
Students will complete 150 clinical placement hours that can be scheduled on days, afternoons, or night shifts, including weekdays and weekends within a 4-week period. Site-specific schedules will be shared by the clinical coordinator prior to the start of the clinical rotation.
Students will register for their first eligible CSMLS MLA certification exam, dates dependent on their placement schedule.
Your Investment
The standard tuition and compulsory fees for the current academic year:
2023-2024 Tuition Fees
For programs with Experiential Learning (Work Placement/Internship): Costs for accommodation, if needed, travel and related expenses is at the student's own expense. It is recommended for most programs, that students have access to a laptop or desktop computer while away from home during experiential learning periods.
Textbooks and other materials are in addition to Tuition Fees. Textbook prices may be found through the Bookstore website.
Please be aware that tuition and compulsory fees are subject to adjustment each year. The College reserves the right to change, amend or alter fees as necessary without notice or prejudice.
Smart Start Information
- Letter for Incoming Students
- CSMLS
- Textbooks and other materials such as scrubs, safety materials, police clearance, mask fit and CSMLS exam costs are in addition to Tuition Fees.
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 is in accordance with 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 coursework 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 the 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 of $169.50 ($150 VISA Screen, $16.50hst)