Program Overview
The Medical Laboratory Technologist assesses the types of blood cells and microorganisms that cause disease, provides chemical analysis of blood and body fluids, performs the processing of tissue samples for microscopic evaluation, and determines the compatibility of blood for transfusion.
This program will appeal to students with a love and knowledge of sciences and an investigative nature. They should have good manual dexterity and must be able to work accurately and quickly under pressure to make decisions which directly affect the diagnosis and treatment of disease.
Program Highlights
- As an accredited program, graduates are provided the opportunity to write the general MLT certification exams offered by the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science.
- Ability to apply to the College of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Ontario for a license to practice in Ontario clinical labs.
- Accredited by Equal, Accreditation Canada.
Career Opportunities
A nationwide shortage of Medical Laboratory Technologists exists in Canada. Graduates are employed as medical technologists, research assistants, quality control technicians and laboratory technicians in hospitals, public and private medical laboratories, in clinical research and pharmaceutical laboratories, as well as in sales or technical assistance.
Degree Completions
Students who graduate the program may receive advanced standing in credits that can be applied towards a Bachelor of Science (General Science) degree at the University of Windsor. See Credit Transfer & Pathway Agreements for further details.
Program Goals
The Medical Laboratory Science program graduate will have the essential skills required to assess the types of blood cells and microorganisms that cause disease, provide chemical analysis of blood and body fluids, perform the processing of tissue samples for microscopic evaluation, and determine the compatibility of blood for transfusion. Graduates will meet all requirements of the Canadian Society of Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) MLT competencies and will be eligible to obtain certification from the CSMLS by challenging the CSMLS MLT 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 Physics (C) or (U)
- Senior Level Biology (C) or (U)
OR
- The Pre-Health Sciences Pathway to Advanced Diplomas and Degrees certificate or equivalent courses from the Academic and Career Entrance program.
Mature students - See Admission Procedures for details.
For more information, see the Medical Laboratory Science Admission Guidelines document also found on the Admission Procedures page.
Important Information
This is an OVERSUBSCRIBED program. Apply by February 1 to be considered for this program. See Admission Procedures for details.
Health Requirements
- Medical Requirements Form.
- A satisfactory medical exam.
- An up-to-date immunization record including tetanus and diphtheria, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chickenpox), Hepatitis B (incl. Hep B titer within the last 24 months) and TB skin test.
Courses
The curriculum below is for incoming students:
Semester 1
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|
Semester 2
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|
Past Cohorts:
Semester 1
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIO147 | Anatomy & Physiology I | 3 |
| CHM161A | Chemistry I | 3 |
| LSW100G | Literature: Short Exposition | 3 |
| MDL106 | Cellular Biology | 3 |
| MDL112 | Laboratory Calculations | 2 |
| MDL102 | General Laboratory Knowledge | 4 |
| MDL125 | Interprofessional Care In Healthcare | 3 |
| MDL107 | Introductory Microbiology And Immunology | 4 |
Semester 2
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIO245 | Human Anatomy & Physiology II | 3 |
| CHM216A | General Chemistry II (Lecture) | 3 |
| CHM222G | Environmental Awareness | 3 |
| MDL207 | Microscopy And Human Micro Anatomy And Physiology | 4 |
| MTH231 | Applied Statistics | 2 |
| CHM223A | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| MDL211 | Introduction To The Clinical Laboratory | 3 |
Semester 3
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MDL328A | Clinical Chemistry A | 6 |
| LBS110G | Communication Across Cultures | 3 |
| MDL413A | Clinical Microbiology A | 5 |
| MDL429A | Transfusion Science A | 5 |
| MDL428A | Hematology A | 5 |
| MDL407A | Histotechnology & Histology | 5 |
Semester 4
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MDL328B | Clinical Chemistry B | 5 |
| MDL455 | Ethics & Professionalism In Medical Laboratory Technology | 2 |
| MDL413B | Clinical Microbiology B | 6 |
| MDL429B | Transfusion Science B | 5 |
| MDL428B | Hematology B | 4 |
| MDL435B | Histotechnology & Histology B | 4 |
Semester 5
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MDL527 | Clinical Microbiology Internship | 15 |
| MDL504 | Clinical Chemistry Internship | 15 |
| MDL522 | Hematology Internship | 15 |
| MDL508 | Histotechnology Internship | 12.5 |
| MDL511 | Clinical Work Experience | 2.5 |
| MDL525 | Transfusion Science Internship | 15 |
Semester 6
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MDL920 | Hematology Review | 0.8 |
| MDL921 | Transfusion Science Review | 0.8 |
| MDL922 | Histotechnology Review | 0.8 |
| MDL923 | Clinical Microbiology Review | 0.8 |
| MDL924 | Clinical Chemistry Review | 0.8 |
Semester 1
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIO147 | Anatomy & Physiology I | 3 |
| CHM161A | Chemistry I | 3 |
| LSW100G | Literature: Short Exposition | 3 |
| MDL106 | Cellular Biology | 3 |
| MDL112 | Laboratory Calculations | 2 |
| MDL102 | General Laboratory Knowledge | 4 |
| MDL125 | Interprofessional Care In Healthcare | 3 |
| MDL107 | Introductory Microbiology And Immunology | 4 |
Semester 2
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIO245 | Human Anatomy & Physiology II | 3 |
| CHM216A | General Chemistry II (Lecture) | 3 |
| CHM222G | Environmental Awareness | 3 |
| MDL207 | Microscopy And Human Micro Anatomy And Physiology | 4 |
| MTH231 | Applied Statistics | 2 |
| MDL206 | Analytical Techniques | 3 |
| CHM223A | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| MDL211 | Introduction To The Clinical Laboratory | 3 |
Semester 3
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MDL328A | Clinical Chemistry A | 6 |
| LBS110G | Communication Across Cultures | 3 |
| MDL413A | Clinical Microbiology A | 5 |
| MDL428A | Hematology A | 5 |
| MDL429A | Transfusion Science A | 5 |
| MDL407A | Histotechnology & Histology | 5 |
Semester 4
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MDL328B | Clinical Chemistry B | 5 |
| MDL455 | Ethics & Professionalism In Medical Laboratory Technology | 2 |
| MDL413B | Clinical Microbiology B | 6 |
| MDL429B | Transfusion Science B | 5 |
| MDL428B | Hematology B | 4 |
| MDL435B | Histotechnology & Histology B | 4 |
Semester 5
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MDL527 | Clinical Microbiology Internship | 15 |
| MDL504 | Clinical Chemistry Internship | 15 |
| MDL522 | Hematology Internship | 15 |
| MDL508 | Histotechnology Internship | 12.5 |
| MDL511 | Clinical Work Experience | 2.5 |
| MDL525 | Transfusion Science Internship | 15 |
Semester 6
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MDL920 | Hematology Review | 0.8 |
| MDL921 | Transfusion Science Review | 0.8 |
| MDL922 | Histotechnology Review | 0.8 |
| MDL923 | Clinical Microbiology Review | 0.8 |
| MDL924 | Clinical Chemistry Review | 0.8 |
Please be aware that although a COVID-19 vaccination is not required to attend St. Clair College, all our placement sites may require students to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 to be eligible to attend. Unfortunately, we cannot predict if a placement site will begin to require full vaccination and as such, we are encouraging all students to consider vaccination. If the requirement of your placement sites changes at any point, you will be notified immediately by the College.
It is important to note that if placement sites do require students to be fully vaccinated to attend their organization, students who are not fully vaccinated cannot be provided with a placement for their program and therefore will not be able to complete their programs.
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).
Employers who provide our field placement settings require a clear POLICE RECORD CHECK for criminal offences with vulnerable sector screening before accepting a student into the field placement setting. The record check MUST be obtained by the student at the student's expense prior to the start of semester 5. Employers also require an N95 Mask Fit Testing as well as an up-to-date Health Passport (Medical Requirements Form) including a TB skin test completed 4 weeks before the clinical semester (AAL005) start date.
PRIOR TO CLASSES
Entering Semester 1 - Due September 15th for September Intake
- Medical Requirements Form, completed by a physician or nurse practitioner.
- Tuberculosis Screening - 1 step if you can produce prior documentation of having 2 step screening done; otherwise, 2 step is required.
- MLT Student membership to CSMLS
- Confidentiality Agreement, Placement Acknowledgement
The Medical requirements form and tuberculosis screening must be complete and uploaded to SIS by September 15th. Confidentiality Agreement and Placement Acknowledgement to be uploaded to SIS. Instructions on how to upload this documentation can be found at the following links:
Returning Semester 4 - Due May 1st
- Student Selection Form - provided to students in March to allow for placement site preference documentation, handed to the program coordinator.
Returning Semester 5 - Due August 15th
- Police Clearance with vulnerable sector screening, to be uploaded to SIS.
- Acknowledgement of Responsibility
- Employers also require an N95 Mask Fit Testing
- An up-to-date Health Passport (Medical Requirements Form)
Please note that some clinical sites require a new 1-step TB test within one month of the start of your clinical rotation. You will be notified on an individual basis if you are required to obtain an additional TB test.
The confidentiality agreement and police clearance with vulnerable sector screening must be completed and uploaded to SIS by August 15th. Instructions on how to upload this documentation can be found at the following links:
Additional Information
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.
Please note that placements in Windsor are not guaranteed, and students may be expected to relocate for the 30-week duration of their clinical placement.
Students will complete 1,125 clinical placement hours that can be scheduled on days, afternoons, or night shifts, including weekdays and weekends within a 30-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 MLT certification exam, dates dependent on their placement schedule.
Program Physical Demands Analysis
Program Vocational Learning Outcomes
Medical Lab Technology (Ontario College Advanced Diploma) (MTCU Code 61609)
The successful completion of this program will enable the graduate to:
- Perform basic clinical laboratory procedures within defined limits of accuracy.
- Possess sufficient theoretical knowledge to learn to perform more complex procedures under supervision of personnel accountable for these procedures.
- Recognize and identify anomalous results due to technical errors and equipment malfunction.
- Undertake, under supervision, corrective measures for anomalous results identified in (3).
- Assist in the implementation and development of new techniques or improvements to existing techniques.
- Recognize when results of laboratory procedures fall outside clinically established normal values and indicate appropriate action which may include reporting through established channels and carrying out additional related tests within established guidelines.
- Initiate the ordering of supplies essential for the performance of his/her area of responsibility; collate statistical information pertinent to his/her area of responsibility; and practice medical laboratory technology that conforms to approved safety and ethical standards.
- To understand and practice the ethics involved in dealing with patients and related patient information.
- To appreciate his/her contribution and that of others to patients' care.
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, $19.50hst)
Additional Information
- First Year Students
- Second Year Students
- Textbooks and other materials such as scrubs, safety materials, police clearance, mask fit and CSMLS exam costs are in addition to Tuition Fees.
Medical Laboratory Science Program Student Scholarships:
Medical Laboratory Science Certification Links:
The Canadian Forces (CF) is offering paid education with an employment opportunity for students enrolled in a CF-recognized program.
The Ontario Learn and Stay 2023-2024 Grant provides funding for St. Clair College Medical Laboratory Science students studying in priority communities in Ontario. This program:
- requires you to learn and work in the region where you study
- responds to labour market needs, including healthcare
- helps communities get the workers they need for in-demand professions