Medical Laboratory Assistant (MDLA)

Support medical professionals with confidence and patients with assurance

Gain essential skills to work as a Medical Laboratory Assistant/Technician in hospitals, physicians’ offices, and private labs in just one year. You'll master blood sample collection, phlebotomy techniques, ECGs, and lab equipment operation. You will become fluent in medical terminology and develop the strong communication skills needed to put patients at ease. 

You'll benefit from hands-on training by experienced faculty on campus, followed by a seven-week placement. Gain all the theoretical and lab training you’ll need to perform pre-analysis components of medical lab work under the direct supervision of medical lab technologists. 

Program highlights 

• Limited enrolment 
• Be job-ready in just one year 
• Seven-week placement in a lab setting 
• Theoretical and lab training in clinical hematology, transfusion science, chemistry, microbiology, and histotechnology 
• Accredited by Accreditation Canada 
• Graduates can apply to the Medical Laboratory Technology (MDLY) program at Cambrian College with advanced standing (minimum grade requirements apply in order to transfer credits). This process is competitive. Completion of the Medical Laboratory Assistant program does not guarantee acceptance into the Medical Laboratory Technology program. 
• Many clinical placement sites are with northern Ontario partners but could be at any affiliated lab (you will be responsible for all clinical placement costs including, moving expenses, travel, and accommodations)

Program of study for 2026-27 Academic Year

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For more information regarding General Education courses, click here.

Admission requirements

For graduates of the new curriculum Ontario Secondary School Diploma (30 credits) curriculum or equivalent or mature student status, including:

• Any grade 12 English (C) or (U)
• Any grade 12 mathematics (C) or (U)
• Any grade 12 chemistry (C) or (U)
• Any grade 11 (U) or (C) or grade 12 biology (U)

Additional admission requirements

Students will be required to provide proof of certain immunizations and non-medical requirements to work with samples in medical laboratories both at the college and on placement. 

Deadline for incoming Fall students: September 30^th

Deadline for incoming Winter students: January 31^st  

Medical requirements:

• Tetanus/Diphtheria (Proof of primary series (3 doses) most recent dose must be within last 10 years)
• Pertussis (Adult dose after the age of 18)
• Polio (Proof of primary series containing a minimum of 3 doses)
• Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) (Documented proof of two vaccinations or bloodwork showing immunity)
• Varicella (Documented proof of two vaccinations or bloodwork showing immunity)
• Influenza (Optional, but highly useful and recommended)
• COVID-19 Vaccination Receipts (Required primary series 2-3 doses)
• Hepatitis B Vaccinations (Proof of primary series of vaccinations is required)
• Hepatitis B Antibody Bloodwork (Mandatory – bloodwork must show proof of immunity)
• Tuberculosis (Mantoux) – 2 Step TB Skin Test

Non-medical requirements:

• Student Declaration of Understanding (Valid for 1 year)
• Mask Fit (N95-3M models, Valid for 2 years)
• Vulnerable Sector Criminal Record Search (Valid for 1 year)
• WHMIS (Valid for 3 years)
• Workplace Health and Safety 4 Step (Does not expire)
• AODA – Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (Does not expire)

Program delivery

2026-2027

Fall term start

SEMESTER 1:  Fall 2026
SEMESTER 2:  Winter 2027
SEMESTER 3:  Spring 2027

Specific program pathway

Furthering your studies

Graduates can apply to the Medical Laboratory Technology (MDLY) program at Cambrian College with advanced standing (minimum grade requirements apply in order to transfer credits). Admission into the Medical Laboratory Technology program with advanced standing is not guaranteed. Admission with advanced standing into the Medical Laboratory Technology program is a competitive process based and is subject to space in the program.

Employment opportunities

Medical laboratory assistants/technicians serve in urban and rural settings in the public and private sectors such as:

• Hospitals
• Physicians' offices
• Diagnostic labs
• Clinics
• Pharmaceutical research testing clinics
• Fertility clinics
• Specimen collection sites and blood centres such as Canadian Blood Services
• Research facilities