Medical Laboratory Professionals
Why we are important
Medical laboratory professionals play an important role in the maintenance of your health. They work in many settings including hospitals, private laboratories, universities, research facilities, public health laboratories, and veterinary clinics.
Whether it is a blood test, a throat swab or a biopsy, tests performed by medical laboratory professionals provide vital information about your health. Doctors depend on laboratory test results to accurately diagnose and treat illness, and monitor patient health.
In fact, up to 85 per cent of decisions about diagnosis and treatment are based on laboratory test results. Medical laboratory technologists conduct laboratory tests on blood, body fluids and body tissue; they also interpret results. Test results provide critical information used by doctors to diagnose and treat illness and to maintain their patients’ health. Medical laboratory technologists are graduates of accredited training programs at the college or university level. The Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science establishes the training curriculum for medical laboratory technologists and offers national certification examinations. The Ontario Society for Medical Technologists represents the interests of medical laboratory technologists in Ontario.
Medical laboratory assistants perform pre-analytical functions such as collecting blood and other samples, processing specimens and preparing special chemicals called reagents for use in testing. Today, many medical laboratory assistants are graduates of private or community college programs. Both the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science and the Ontario Society for Medical Laboratory Technologists have established a training curriculum for medical laboratory assistants and both offers certification examinations. The Ontario Society for Medical Technologists represents the interests of medical laboratory assistants in Ontario.
Medical laboratory scientists work in both medical and research laboratories. Their knowledge and expertise contribute to innovations in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease and other medical conditions. They are graduates of university-level science programs, usually at the post-graduate level.
Medical laboratory supervisors, managers and administrative directors are responsible for overseeing the day to day operation for the laboratory. In addition to possessing a strong theoretical and technical knowledge of medical laboratory sciences, supervisors, managers and administrative directors require strong management skills. Their roles include operations management, personnel management, strategic and tactical planning, financial management, quality management, purchasing and procurement for the laboratory needs, and representing the laboratory on hospital. Often supervisory, management and administrative roles are part of the career path for medical laboratory technologists and management skills are acquired through continuing education and through work experience. The Clinical Laboratory Management Association was established to support laboratory administrators by providing a forum to network and to provide educational opportunities. The CLMA Trillium Chapter provided support for laboratory administrators, legislators, in vitro diagnostic companies and educators from across Ontario.
Areas of Specialization
Here are some specialty areas in which medical laboratory professionals work:
• Clinical chemistry: Measurement of chemical components including hormones and drugs in blood and body fluids. Common test: Blood glucose (blood sugar) test to diagnose and monitor diabetes.
• Clinical genetics: Study of chromosomes, DNA and RNA from cells of body fluids and tissues to diagnose genetic diseases. Common test: Amniocentesis and other forms of pre-natal testing.
• Clinical microbiology: Study of bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites that invade the body. Common test: Throat swab to detect strep throat.
• Diagnostic cytology: Study of cells for the detection of cancer. Common test: Pap test to detect cervical cancer.
• Hematology: Study of diseases of blood cells and clotting mechanisms of blood. Common test: Hemoglobin test to detect anemia.
• Histology/Pathology: Preparation and study of body tissue for the detection of disease. Common test: Biopsy of a breast lump.
• Transfusion science: Determination of blood types. Common test: Cross-matching for blood transfusions.
Other specialty areas include immunology, electron microscopy, virology, parasitology and flow cytometry.
Education
Medical Laboratory Technologists
MLTs must complete an accredited education program. Programs are offered at both the college and university levels, and run from two to fours years in length. Clinical training is a vital component of medical laboratory science education programs. Completion of a clinical placement is mandated by the Canadian Medical Association Conjoint Committee on Accreditation - the body that accredits medical laboratory education programs in Canada.
Medical Laboratory Assistants
The Canadian Medical Association Committee on Conjoint Accreditation has recently accepted Medical Laboratory Assistant as a profession for inclusion in the accreditation process. MLA education programs will be able to seek CMA accreditation in the near future.
In Ontario, the Ontario Society of Medical Technologists, as a pre-requisite to approval by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities, approves training programs for medical laboratory assistants/technicians. These programs usually consist of approximately 6 months full-time training which includes a clinical placement component. Programs are offered by community colleges and private career colleges.
Medical Laboratory Scientists
They are graduates of university-level science programs, usually at the post-graduate level.
Certification and Regulation
The Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science certifies medical laboratory technologists in three disciplines; general medical laboratory technology, diagnostic cytology and clinical genetics. A Labour Mobility Agreement recognizes CSMLS certification is the entry-level requirement in all of the regulated provinces with the exception of Quebec. The Ontario Society of Medical Technologists and the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science also offer certification for medical laboratory assistants.
Self Regulation
Medical laboratory technologists are a regulated health profession in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Medical laboratory assistants are not a regulated health profession in any province at this time.
International Credential Recognition
CSMLS provides internationally-educated medical laboratory technologists with a single point of access for assessment of their credentials. CSMLS has had a Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition Process (PLAR) in place since 1999. The PLAR process includes an assessment of educational credentials, work experience and language proficiency. Eligibility to write the national certification examination is dependent upon a positive outcome of the PLAR process.
For more information about certification, please contact:
The Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science
PO Box 2830, LCD 1, Hamilton, ON L8N 3N8
Tel: (905) 528-8642 Fax: (905) 528-4968
www.csmls.org
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