The Medical Laboratory Certificate Program is designed as a refresher for internationally-trained medical laboratory technologists, or Canadian-trained medical laboratory technologists who have been out of the workforce for a lengthy period. This certificate includes clinical chemistry, hematology, clinical microbiology, histotechnology and transfusion science (also called blood transfusion).

The medical laboratory technologist, as a member of the health care team, performs laboratory investigations related to the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease, including analysis of a variety of specimens such as blood, urine, feces, sputum and tissues. Technologists also have significant patient contact primarily through blood collection.

Medical laboratory technologists work in a dynamic and evolving environment, and use technological equipment to provide information that must be processed rapidly and accurately. They handle potentially infectious material from patients, and are protected by wearing gloves, gowns, and other protective garments.

Eligibility
Internationally trained technologist - applicants must have a completed Canadian Society of Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) assessment of their education and work history and must either be eligible to write the CSMLS examination, or require only refresher courses in order to write the exam. If the CSMLS assessment determines that the applicant has too many gaps in their education or experience, they will be advised to apply for the Medical Laboratory Science Diploma program.

Canadian-trained technologists - must be registered with CSMLS. If CSMLS membership is not current, you may apply for reinstatement.

Contact CSMLS at:

Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science
PO Box 2830 LCD I
Hamilton, ON, L8N 3N8
Tel: 905-528-8642
Fax: 905-528-4968
Web site: www.csmls.org

If you are not qualified for the Certificate Program, you may be interested in our Medical Laboratory Science Diploma Program.

The program

The Medical Laboratory program is a competency-based program. It is designed and based on competencies established by the national certifying body, the Canadian Society of Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS), and by the BCIT Medical Laboratory industry-based design process.

The program provides theoretical, practical and clinical learning experiences. In a competency-based model, students have the opportunity to first practice, and then become capable of a variety of competencies. Students prove competence during real-life experiences (clinical placements). Successful completion of this program requires proof of competence.

BCIT arranges clinical training for the student. Note that students may be required to train in a location that is not their first choice. Training sites are available in all provincial Health authorities, BC Biomedical Laboratories, and MDS Clinical Laboratories. Students may require a car for transportation to clinical training sites. Student learning is supported by BCIT via WebCT. Students will require internet access.

Employers are increasingly seeking graduates with a strong base of critical and analytical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills. In addition to technical skills, employers value technologists with a commitment to learning new skills and techniques that allow them to adjust to new situations. To help students develop the skills required in the health care system of the future, the program emphasizes the development of professionalism, reasoning and reflection, communication, group process skills, and learning and technical skills.

To help students develop the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and clinical judgment required for success as an entry-level medical laboratory technologist, the program employs a variety of learning strategies that encourage self-directed learning. Students need to be self-aware, self-motivated and able to take initiative to seek and make use of learning opportunities. Instructional methodologies include learner-centered active learning strategies.

Job opportunities

Certification as a Medical Laboratory Technologist is nationally recognized. Most Canadian medical laboratories require certification for employment.

In BC., the starting salary of an entry- level technologist in a medical laboratory is approximately $43,500 per year.

Most laboratory services are required on a 24-hour basis. As a result, the majority of medical laboratory technology positions in laboratories include some shift work (weekends, afternoons, and/or nights).

Hospital or private clinical laboratories primarily provide work for certified graduates. The following organizations, however, also employ medical laboratory technologists: Canadian Blood Services, B.C. Laboratory Centre for Disease Control and other public health laboratories, veterinary and industrial laboratories, clinical research laboratories, pharmaceutical and biological supply houses, and commercial companies in sales, research and product development.