Medical Laboratory Technology

Medical Laboratory Technology is a two-and-a-half-year diploma program. Experienced instructors will guide students through a well-rounded curriculum that includes classroom theory, lab work and actual clinical experiences.

See also our Combined Laboratory and X-Ray Technologist program.
 

What Graduates Can Do

Medical laboratory technologists conduct medical laboratory tests, experiments and analyses to assist in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease. They are employed in medical laboratories in hospitals, government and community facilities. Medical laboratory technologists perform some or all of the following duties:

• Set up, operate and maintain laboratory equipment
• Conduct chemical analyses of blood, urine, and cerebrospinal and other body fluids
• Study blood cells and other tissues to determine their relation to various physiological and pathological conditions
• Prepare tissue sections for microscopic examinations using techniques to demonstrate special cellular tissue elements or other characteristics
• Perform blood group, type and compatibility tests for transfusion purposes
• Establish procedures for the analysis of specimens and for medical laboratory experiments
• Conduct quality control assessment of testing techniques
• May supervise and train other medical laboratory technical staff, students and helpers
• May assist pathologists during autopsies.

Medical laboratory technologists may specialize in areas such as clinical chemistry, clinical microbiology, hematology, histotechnology, immunohematology, cytotechnology and cytogenetics. 

Topics of Study Will Include

• clinical chemistry and microbiology
• hematology and hemopathology
• histotechnology and immunology
• laboratory practice
• specimen collection and handling
• transfusion science 

Class time is augmented by hands-on training in labs. This program includes clinical practicum experience in hospitals and laboratories around the province, including placements in different settings to gain specific laboratory experiences, organizational skills and technical competence.

Employment Requirements According to the NOC

• A two- or three-year college program in medical laboratory technology is required and a period of supervised practical training may be required.
• Registration with a regulatory body is required in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta.
• Certification by the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science is usually required by employers.