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
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.
Courses
The curriculum below is for incoming students:
Semester 1
| Code |
Title |
Credits |
|
BIO147
|
Anatomy & Physiology I
|
3
|
|
LSW100G
|
Literature: Short Exposition
|
3
|
|
MDL112
|
Laboratory Calculations
|
2
|
|
MDL102
|
General Laboratory Knowledge
|
4
|
|
MDL117
|
Interprofessional Care In Healthcare
|
2
|
|
MDL107
|
Introductory Microbiology And Immunology
|
4
|
Semester 2
| Code |
Title |
Credits |
|
BIO245
|
Human Anatomy & Physiology II
|
3
|
|
CHM216A
|
General Chemistry II, (Lecture)
|
3
|
|
MDL207
|
Microscopy And Human Micro Anatomy And Physiology
|
4
|
|
MDL211
|
Introduction To The Clinical Laboratory
|
3
|
Semester 3
| Code |
Title |
Credits |
|
LBS110G
|
Communication Across Cultures
|
3
|
|
MDL407A
|
Histotechnology & Histology
|
5
|
Semester 4
| Code |
Title |
Credits |
|
MDL415
|
Professional Practice & Clinical Preparation
|
2
|
|
MDL435B
|
Histotechnology & Histology B
|
4
|
|
MDL437
|
Progressive Diagnostic Technologies
|
1
|
Semester 5
| Code |
Title |
Credits |
|
MDL527
|
Clinical Microbiology Internship
|
15
|
|
MDL504
|
Clinical Chemistry Internship
|
15
|
|
MDL522
|
Hematology Internship
|
15
|
|
MDL508
|
Histotechnology Internship
|
13
|
|
MDL511
|
Clinical Work Experience
|
3
|
|
MDL525
|
Transfusion Science Internship
|
15
|
Semester 6
| Code |
Title |
Credits |
|
MDL921
|
Transfusion Science Review
|
1
|
|
MDL922
|
Histotechnology Review
|
1
|
|
MDL923
|
Clinical Microbiology Review
|
1
|
|
MDL924
|
Clinical Chemistry Review
|
1
|
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
|
View Pre/Co-Requisites for Medical Laboratory Science
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 |
Pre-Placement Requirements
St. Clair College has partnered with Synergy Gateway Inc to provide you access to Verified - a platform that is used by students at other post-secondary institutions across Ontario for the purpose of digitally collecting placement requirements related to placement(s). Synergy Gateway Inc will provide support and clearance to help with your required documentation. You will be required to complete an Electronic Requirements Verification (ERV) Review through the Verified platform in order to receive clearance to begin your clinical placement. You will be provided access to "Verified" via a secure username and password. You will use Verified to:
- Upload your pre-placement requirements documentation for review.
- Book your Electronic Requirements Verification (ERV) service (this is a service that reviews the documents you have uploaded and provides you a status as to your eligibility to begin placements).
- Track your ongoing requirements compliance.
Each student will receive log-in credentials to access Verified that will be sent to your St. Clair College email account. Please check your inbox, spam and junk mail folders for an email from the "Synergy Help Desk". You will be required to create a new password upon logging in. Be sure to view the video user guides and student guidebook to learn how to use the Verified platform.
Any associated fees for Synergy Gateway Inc to complete the pre-placement requirements are the sole responsibility of the students:
- Synergy Review Fee: $50.50 + tax
- Synergy Follow-Up Review Fee: $10.00 + tax
It is mandatory that students complete their ERV service through Verified to be eligible for your upcoming clinical placement.
Once your account has been set up with Verified, inquiries can be directed to Synergy Gateway Inc at www.Synergyhelps.com. You will need to submit a Help Desk ticket. Their Help Desk hours are Monday to Friday: 10 am - 3 pm, excluding holidays.
** Please note: If you are an International student completing a placement, you will require a valid COOP Work Permit.
Requirements
(Please refer to your Synergy communications for full details)
Additional Placement Requirements
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 May, 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.
This is to make you aware that, although a COVID-19 vaccination is not required to attend St. Clair College, most of our placement sites require students to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 to be eligible to attend. 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. Please be advised that COVID-19 booster shots and/or other requirements may become mandatory for placement, however, they are not currently required.
- Student placements are assigned at the discretion of the program.
- Students may be required to obtain further clearances for placement at the discretion of the placement site.
- Student personal requests for placement cannot be accommodated.
- Placements may be outside the Windsor/Chatham area (& could possibly expand throughout the province)
- Students are responsible for their own accommodation.
- Students are responsible for their own travel and all costs of placements.
- Students are responsible for the cost of scrub uniforms/footwear and equipment (such as a stethoscope, a watch with a second hand) and other incidentals as required.
- Placement schedules may include shifts on days, afternoons, weekends and holidays throughout the program based on placement needs and agency availability.
Your Investment
The standard tuition and compulsory fees for the current academic year:
2024-2025 Tuition Fees
For programs with Experiential Learning (Work Placement/Internship): Costs for accommodation, if needed, travel and related expenses are at the student's own expense. It is recommended for most programs, that students have access to a laptop or desktop computer while away from home during experiential learning periods.
Textbooks and other materials are in addition to Tuition Fees. Textbook prices may be found on the Bookstore website.
Please be aware that tuition and compulsory fees are subject to adjustment each year. The College reserves the right to change, amend or alter fees as necessary without notice or prejudice.
Smart Start Information
- First Year Students
- Please know the Health & Safety and Immunization Requirements deadline is September 15th. Please see the Placement tab for further details.
- 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.
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 the 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 coursework 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 the application to be processed.
Forms can be submitted to Courtney Villeneuve in the Registrar’s Office - cvilleneuve@stclaircollege.ca.
Please note there is a charge of $169.50 ($150 VISA Screen, $19.50hst).
Additional Information
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
https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-learn-and-stay-grant