Medical Laboratory Technician
How To Apply
Program Details
- Program Code3506
- SchoolSchool of Engineering Technology and Applied Science
- CredentialOntario College Certificate
- Program TypePost-secondary program
- Program Length1 year/ 3 semesters
- Delivery ModeHybrid
- LocationMorningside Campus
- Emailabes@centennialcollege.ca
- Telephone416-289-5000, ext. 58123
Program Availability
- Program Overview
- Courses
- Career Options and Education Pathways
- Admission Requirements
- How to Apply
- Tuition and Fees
- Program Vocational Learning Outcomes
- Advising
Medical Laboratory Assistant/Technician are important members of the Medical Laboratory Science profession. Centennial College's Medical Laboratory Technician program will immerse you in the exciting and rewarding world of the medical laboratory, which offers a unique combination of technical employment and the satisfaction of working with a diverse client population.
This is a competency-based program. The program's curriculum is based on the national (CSMLS) standards and the provincial (MLPAO) standards of practice for entry-level medical laboratory assistants/technicians (MLA/T). Areas of focus to ensure students become proficient are; blood sample collection, performing ECGs, operating laboratory equipment, medical terminology and laboratory computer. Students will also develop the professional attitude and mannerism for close patient contact as excellent communication and good interpersonal skills are essential.
The theoretical and practical portions of this Centennial College program will be completed in one to two years. The third and final semester will be an unpaid clinical field placement with hospital and private laboratory partners that will offer real-work experience.
Medical laboratory assistant/technician work under the direction and supervision of a medical laboratory technologist. Their duties include specimen collection, performing ECGs, positioning Holter monitors, processing specimens and basic laboratory testing. With the MLA/T's role expanding, there are opportunities for employment in clinics, private laboratories and hospital laboratories as well as in government, research and veterinary laboratories.
EQual™ Accreditation Canada accredits our program
Please note:
- Applicants must demonstrate language proficiency for admission.
- A current criminal background check, including a vulnerable section screening, will be required prior to field placement. Certain criminal convictions may prevent participation in placements and pro¬gram completion.
- Your health must be such that you can successfully cope with the program of instruction, the clinical placement experience and meet the health requirements of clinical placement settings.
- Clinical placements are arranged by the program placement coordinator and may be located outside of the GTA. The student finances travel, room and board and tuition.
Program Overview
Medical Laboratory Assistant/Technician are important members of the Medical Laboratory Science profession. Centennial College's Medical Laboratory Technician program will immerse you in the exciting and rewarding world of the medical laboratory, which offers a unique combination of technical employment and the satisfaction of working with a diverse client population.
This is a competency-based program. The program's curriculum is based on the national (CSMLS) standards and the provincial (MLPAO) standards of practice for entry-level medical laboratory assistants/technicians (MLA/T). Areas of focus to ensure students become proficient are; blood sample collection, performing ECGs, operating laboratory equipment, medical terminology and laboratory computer. Students will also develop the professional attitude and mannerism for close patient contact as excellent communication and good interpersonal skills are essential.
The theoretical and practical portions of this Centennial College program will be completed in one to two years. The third and final semester will be an unpaid clinical field placement with hospital and private laboratory partners that will offer real-work experience.
Medical laboratory assistant/technician work under the direction and supervision of a medical laboratory technologist. Their duties include specimen collection, performing ECGs, positioning Holter monitors, processing specimens and basic laboratory testing. With the MLA/T's role expanding, there are opportunities for employment in clinics, private laboratories and hospital laboratories as well as in government, research and veterinary laboratories.
EQual™ Accreditation Canada accredits our program
Please note:
- Applicants must demonstrate language proficiency for admission.
- A current criminal background check, including a vulnerable section screening, will be required prior to field placement. Certain criminal convictions may prevent participation in placements and pro¬gram completion.
- Your health must be such that you can successfully cope with the program of instruction, the clinical placement experience and meet the health requirements of clinical placement settings.
- Clinical placements are arranged by the program placement coordinator and may be located outside of the GTA. The student finances travel, room and board and tuition.
Courses
Career Options and Education Pathways
Future Alumni
Career opportunities for Medical Laboratory Technicians are typically within hospitals, private laboratories, public health laboratories, Canadian blood services, healthcare clinics, research labs. Areas of specialization may include:
-
Blood collection
-
Perform ECG and Position Holter Monitor
-
Core department of the medical laboratory
-
Clinical biochemistry
-
Diagnostic cytology
-
Hematology
-
Histopathology
-
Immunology
-
Clinical microbiology
Program Highlights
- Faculty members within the Medical Laboratory Technician program are experienced in hospitals and clinical laboratories.
- Five - Six weeks of clinical placement will provide you with experience in a real work environment.
- Large well equipped laboratories and classrooms.
- Graduates of our program are qualified to write the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) and the Medical Laboratory Professionals' Association of Ontario (MLPAO) certification exams for Medical Laboratory Assistant/Technician.
- Our program receive excellent CSMLS and MLPAO certification results
Career Outlook
- Medical laboratory technician
- Medical laboratory assistant
- Phlebotomist
- ECG technician
Education Pathways
Graduates of the Medical Laboratory Technician certificate program have the opportunity to apply their learning for credits toward further study. Listed below are programs from partnering institutions that are available for this program.
Please note that each each partner has minimum admission requirements to be met in order to qualify for transfer credits, which are assessed by the receiving partner institution.
| Partner Institution | Degree Program |
|---|---|
| Nipissing University | Bachelor or Honours Bachelor of Arts (college to university program) |
Please visit our website at //centennial.adv-pub.moveonca.com/outgoing-home/ for more information on articulation agreements.
For pathways to other Ontario post-secondary institutions, please visit ONTransfer.
Professional Associations
Canadian Society of Medical Laboratory Science
Medical Laboratory Professionals' Association of Ontario
Placement Partners
Clinical Placement Partners include:
- Credit Valley Hospital
- Hospital for Sick Children.
- St. Joseph’s Hospital
- St. Michael’s Hospital
- Sunnybrook/Women’s College Hospitals
- North York General Hospital
- University Health Network ( General and Western sites)
- The Scarborough Hospitals (General, Grace and Centenary sites) Hospital
- Lakeridge Health (Ajax, Oshawa sites)
- Michael Garron Hospital- Toronto East Health Network
- York Central Hospital
- Med. Health Laboratories
- Hospitals outside the GTA as required or requested
Accreditation
EQual™ Accreditation Canada accredits our program
Admission Requirements
Academic Requirements
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), or equivalent, or mature student status (19 years or older)
- Grade 12 English (C or U), or equivalent (minimum grade required), or take the Centennial English Admission Test (score of 170 or 171 is required for admission)
- Please note: This program requires 3 years of study in English.
- Grade 12 Mathematics (C, M, or U), or equivalent (minimum grade required), or take a Centennial College Engineering Math Skills Assessment for Admission
- Grade 11 Biology or Grade 12 Biology (C or U), or equivalent (official transcript or credential evaluation is required)
Additional Requirements
- English language proficiency
- Please note: Applicants to this program require three or more consecutive full years at a recognized secondary or post-secondary education institution in a school where English is the primary language of instruction and communication.
Note: Technicians employed in this sector will be expected to have the skills and abilities as outlined in the Skills and Ability Requirements Fact Sheet.
Field Placement Requirements
After admission and prior to field placement, Medical Laboratory Technician program students must complete and provide:
Mandatory Medical Requirements
- Proof of completion of immunization requirements (Clinical/Field Pre-placement Health Form Completed)
Mandatory Non-Medical Requirements
- Obtain a clear police check with vulnerable sector screening. Vulnerable Sector Screenings must valid within six months of each placement start date. Certain criminal convictions may prevent participation in placements and pro¬gram completion. Any previous criminal record must be pardoned.
- N95 mask fit testing
- Standard first aid (every three years) Certification
- CPR Level HCP or BLS Certificate (annual recertification)
- Successful completion of all program courses
Students may also be required to conduct a successful interview with the provider of the placement.
Additional Fee Requirements
Applicants should be aware that there are some additional costs related to placement and employment in the industry:
- MLPAO certification exam application
- CSMLS certification exam application
- N95 mask fitting
- Vulnerable sector police record check
- First aid and CPR
- Accommodation or transportation costs associated with Semester 3 field placement
- Some immunization
How to Apply
1. Apply Online
If you are applying through Better Jobs Ontario, please apply at the Employment Training Centre for Better Jobs Ontario (Progress Campus). Better Jobs Ontario is a funding initiative for those who have been laid-off and are in need of training. For more information go to Better Jobs Ontario.
If you have previously attended a full time program at Centennial College, you may be eligible for a Program Transfer. Visit Enrolment Services at any Campus for information.
All other applicants must apply online at Ontariocolleges.ca. A non-refundable application fee of $125 must accompany applications. The fee is payable online, by telephone, online banking, by mail, or in person to Ontariocolleges.ca. For more information go to Ontariocolleges.ca Application Fees.
2. Submit Documents
Current Ontario high school students and graduates from Ontario high schools: Notify your guidance counsellor that you have applied to college and your school will forward transcripts to Centennial College via Ontariocolleges.ca.
Graduates of college/university, or high school outside Ontario but within Canada: You are responsible for requesting that your educational institute sends any required documents and transcripts to Ontariocolleges.ca.
Applicants who attended school outside of Canada: If you are submitting transcripts to meet admission requirements, you must have the transcripts assessed by an independent credential assessment agency such as World Education Services (WES) or International Credential Assessment Service (ICAS).
For more information go to Submitting your Transcripts.
3. Confirm Your Offer of Admission
Offers of Admission are sent by mail to eligible applicants. When you receive your offer, you must login to your account at Ontariocolleges.ca and confirm before the Deadline to Confirm noted in your offer letter.
You may confirm only one college and one program offer at a time.
You must confirm your offer by the Deadline to Confirm noted in your Offer of Admission letter or your seat may be given to another applicant.
When you confirm your Offer of Admission at Centennial College you are given access to your personal myCentennial account where you can check your email, grades, register for courses, pay tuition fees, and see your class timetable.
4. Pay Fees
Centennial fees statements are sent by email to your personal email account and to your myCentennial email account. Fees statements are not mailed.
You must make a minimum payment by the Fees Deadline noted in your Fees Statement or your seat may be given to another applicant.
5. Build Your Timetable (Register for Courses)
Build your timetable (web-register for courses) at my.centennialcollege.ca.
Fall registration begins mid-July
January registration begins mid-December
May registration begins mid-April
Your web-registration will not open if:
You have not submitted your minimum fee payment by the deadline
You received a Conditional Offer of Admission and you have not met the conditions of your offer.
Once you have paid your fees or have made appropriate arrangements, register for your courses online through myCentennial.
Tuition and Fees
Fees noted below are estimates only. Tuition is based on three semesters, beginning Fall 2024.
| Student | Tuition (3 Semesters) | Ancillary Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canadian | $3,201.00 | $1,887.76 | $5,088.76 |
| International | $20,849.00 | $2,283.94 | $23,132.94 |
Additional Fees:
- MLPAO (Formerly OSMT) exam application and fee - refer to MLPAO website
- CSMLS exam application and fee - refer to CSMLS website
- N95 mask fitting fee - $30.00
- Vulnerable sector police record check cost - Approximately $20.00 - $45.00
- Standard First Aid Certification and CPR level HCP (Health Care Provider): Approximately $100.00 - $175.00
- Students are responsible for expenses related to placement, such as transportation and/or accommodations. These expenses will vary based on the location of the placement.
- Clinical Pre-placement Immunization: Cost for immunization may vary by physician
- Health Record Clearance Fees - Visit our Health Record Clearance website for more information
Program Vocational Learning Outcomes
Program Vocational Learning Outcomes
Program Vocational Learning Outcomes describe what graduates of the program have demonstrated they can do with the knowledge and skills they have achieved during their studies. The outcomes are closely tied to the needs of the workplace. Through assessment (e.g., assignments, group work, research and tests), students verify their ability to reliably perform these outcomes before graduating.
1. Perform all assigned tasks in a manner consistent with established competencies of the profession.
2. Complete all work in accordance with established protocols, safety guidelines, and existing legislation to ensure safe work practices.
3. Interact with clients/patients in a professional and competent manner, projecting a professional image with other health care professionals and following generally accepted practices regarding client/patient service.
4. Verify relevant data and contribute to the assurance that appropriate specimens are procured according to established protocols.
5. Process specimens from a variety of sources according to established protocols.
6. Perform pre-analytical procedures on specimens from a variety of sources according to established protocols.
7. Prepare reagents for medical laboratory testing using approved methods and according to laboratory standards and established procedures.
8. Follow quality assurance policies and procedures and participate in quality assurance initiatives.
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Muhammad Yasir Khan, GraduateCentennial College doesn’t just provide us with good education. They make sure that whatever students are learning in classes can also be learned practically, They make sure to provide us with all the experience necessary to go out in the real world as professionals so we can face challenges and land a successful job in our career.
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