Medicine today would not be possible without the tests performed in the clinical laboratory. Whether it is a blood test, a throat swab or a biopsy, doctors depend on laboratory test results to accurately diagnose and treat illness, and monitor patient health.
Medical Laboratory Assistants are important members of the health care team, working under the supervision of a Medical Laboratory Technologist. You will be required to work with patients to perform laboratory tests and procedures, including positioning Holter Monitors and performing ECGs. You will also collect blood samples for laboratory analysis and assist professionals in the lab. The emphasis is on the practical performance of procedures. Recognition of problems and errors is required.
As a graduate of this one-year, two semester certificate program, you will have the ability to collect and sort specimens for analysis; perform venipunctures and acquire ECG tracings; prepare reagents, stains and media; prepare body fluids and tissues for microscopic examination and/or analysis; and perform routine technical procedures. Upon graduation from this program, you will be qualified to write the Ontario Society of Medical Technologists (OSMT) and the Canadian Society of Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) certification exams.
Employment 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.
Due to automation and centralization of laboratory services, forecasts for the future indicate there will be employment opportunities for medical laboratory assistants with a broad base of skills.
Admission Requirements:
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (or equivalent) with courses from the College (C), University (U), University/College (U/C), or Open (O) preparation levels.
- or successful completion of the Mature Student Assessment
- or appropriate credits from Academic and Career Entrance program (ACE).
Additional Required Courses: Grade 12 English (College or University Preparation), Grade 12 Math (College or University Preparation), Grade 11 or 12 Chemistry (College or University Preparation), Grade 11 or 12 Biology OR Physics (College or University Preparation).
If you do not possess the necessary admission requirements (or equivalency), we encourage you to consider our Pre-Health Sciences Program which will provide the necessary preparation to apply to this program. Completion of the Pre-Health Sciences Program does not guarantee admission to the Medical Laboratory Assistant Program in a subsequent year.
Other Requirements:
- Completion of Immunization and Communicable Disease’s Form.
- Current immunization, including two TB skins tests,Tetanus-Diphtheria and Polio (within 10 years), Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR), and Hepatitis B prior to entry into the program.
- Proof of certification in Standard First Aid and CPR level C, prior to the commencement of Semester 2.
- To be eligible for participation in field placement, a student must not have been convicted of any criminal offence for which the student has not yet been pardoned. An unpardoned criminal record could result in the student not being able to participate in the field placement courses and therefore prevent the student from graduating. A recent and valid criminal reference check (CRC) is therefore required to enable the student to progress through this program.
Note:
Procedures and regulations for obtaining criminal record search documents are controlled by the RCMP and the Government of Canada. These procedures and regulations may change at any time without notification. Confederation College will endeavour to notify students of any changes when they come to our attention. As of March 1, 2011 the following reflects the current procedures and regulations of the RCMP with regard to Vulnerable Sector Verifications.
The RCMP identified a means to enhance vulnerable sector checks to make the searches more rigorous. In the interest of public safety, the enhancements were quickly implemented to protect vulnerable members of society.
As a result of the enhancement, a Vulnerable Sector Verification now requires the submission of fingerprints whenever the gender and date of birth of an applicant match to an existing pardoned sex offender record. This is not an accusation of criminality, but a requirement for a thorough verification to confirm identity and protect personal privacy. This process will take at least four months.
Note: Any costs associated with acquiring a Criminal Reference Check (CRC) will be the responsibility of the student applicant.
1450 Nakina Drive, P.O. Box 398, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada P7C 4W1 [ 
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