Career as Medical Laboratory Scientist

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5yo31Pjx0c

This video shows some of the tests that are performed by medical laboratory scientists on a daily basis.

Medical Laboratory Technology at SAIT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62ADPFSST6o

This video is an overview of the medical laboratory technologist career.

Becoming a Medical Laboratory Technologist

What is a Medical Laboratory Technologist?

Medical Laboratory technologists are responsible for analyzing human specimens and their analysis will be used in the diagnosis and treatment of patients. They are part of the third largest group of healthcare professionals in Canada and their role is vital to the healthcare system. The five main disciplines for medical laboratory science are clinical chemistry, microbiology, hematology, transfusion science and histology. Clinical chemistry involves testing specimens for the presence of certain chemicals or drugs. Microbiology involves testing specimens for the presence of bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites. Hematology involves tests to detect blood disorders. Transfusion science involves blood typing and compatibility tests. Histology involves the analysis of tissue samples for the presence of diseases based on the visualization of abnormalities. Medical Laboratory technologists have the option to work will all of these disciplines in a core lab or specialize in a particular area. There are advanced specializations including clinical genetics and diagnostic cytology. Clinical genetics involves the use of cytogenetics and molecular genetics techniques to detect chromosomal abnormalities or genetic diseases. Diagnostic cytology involves the microscopic analysis of tissue samples in order to detect the presence of cancer cells.

What is the process of becoming a Medical Laboratory Technologist?

The first step to becoming a Medical Laboratory Technologist in Canada is to attend a school that has been accredited by the Canadian Medical Association.  There is usually a clinical placement at the end of the program in order to make use of the skills acquired and network with indivudals that are currently working in the field.

The following is a list of Canadian schools that have an accredited medical laboratory science program:

• Ontario- Cambrian College (3 years), Michener Institute for Applied Health Sciences (2.5 years), St. Clair College for Applied Arts and Technology (3 years), St Lawrence College for Applied Arts and Technology (3 years), University of Ontario Institute of Technology (4 years)
• Quebec- Cegep de Sherbrooke (3 years), College d’enseignement general et professionnel Chicoutimi (3 years),   College d’enseignement general et professionnel Rimouski (3 years), College d’enseignement general et professionnel Rosemont, College d’enseignement general et professionnel Sainte-Foy (3 years), College d’enseignement general et professionnel Sainte-Hyacinthe (3 years), College d’enseignement general et professionnel Sainte-Jean-sur-Ricelieu (3years), College d’enseignement general et professionnel Sainte-Jerome (3 years), College d’enseignement general et professionnel Shawinigan (3 years), Dawson College (3 years)
• Newfoundland- College of the North Atlantic (3 years)
• Nova Scotia- Nova Scotia Community College (81 weeks)
• New Brunswick- New Brunswick Community College (2.5 years), CCNB (4 years)
• Manitoba- Red River College (2 years)
• Saskatchewan- Saskatchewan Institute for Applied Science and Technology (2 years)
• Alberta- University of Alberta (4 years), Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (2 years), Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (19 months)
• British Columbia- British Columbia Institute of Technology (2.5 years), College of New Caledonia (2.5 years)

The following is a list of Canadian schools that have an accredited diagnostic cytology program:

• Ontario- Michener Institute of Applied Health Science (16 months)
• Quebec- College de Rosemount
• Nova Scotia- Dalhousie School of Health Sciences (4 years)
• Manitoba- Diagnostic Services of Manitoba (20 months)
• Saskatchewan- Saskatchewan Institute for Applied Science and Technology (2 years)
• Alberta- Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (2 years)

The following is a list of Canadian schools that have accredited clinical genetics program:

• Ontario- Michener Institute of Applied Health Sciences (16 months)
• British Columbia- British Columbia Institute of Technology (13.5 months)

The next step following graduation from one of these programs is completion of the Canadian Society of Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) national certification examination. This examination is designed to test the understanding of required knowledge and skills. Members of this organization receive a discount on the price of writing the examination. There are separate certification examinations for medical laboratory science, diagnostic cytology and clinical genetics.  

The next step is joining a provincial regulatory body in order to practice in a particular province. Medical laboratory technologists in Ontario must join the College of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Ontario (CMLTO) in order to find employment. This organization exists to ensure that the public receives quality laboratory services by competent individuals.  

The final step is finding employment as a medical laboratory technologist. Most work in hospital laboratories but there is also the option of working in public health institutions, private laboratories, research laboratories, forensic science etc.

www.csmls.org
www.cmlto.com 

Hello!

I have become very interested in the field of medical laboratory science in the last year and my career goal is to become a medical laboratory technologist and join the third largest group of healthcare professionals in Canada. I have been researching the profession and decided to start this blog to share what I have learned and document my experiences related to school and beyond. I have earned my Honours Bachelor of Science in cell and molecular biology from the University of Toronto in 2011. I'm going to be attending either Michener or St Lawrence College for medical laboratory science in September. This will allows me to get one step closer to my dream of becoming a medical laboratory technologist.