Ontario College Advanced Diploma | 6 semesters | Barrydowne Campus
As a critical member of the healthcare team, Medical Laboratory Technologists are health professionals that perform complex laboratory analyses on blood, body fluids, tissues and cells in order to generate results that are used by physicians for the diagnosis and treatment of patients and the monitoring and prevention of disease. Medical Laboratory Technologists combine theoretical knowledge and operate sophisticated analyzers while accurately performing test procedures in a fast-paced laboratory environment.
As a certified Medical Laboratory Technologist, you'll find a wide range of career opportunities in hospital and private laboratories, public health departments, post-secondary institutions, consulting, sales, and more.
A combination of theoretical and laboratory courses and clinical practicum training will prepare you for entry-level medical laboratory technology practice in each of the following five disciplines:
- Clinical Hematology - blood and blood disorders including coagulopathies
- Transfusion Science - preparation of blood and blood products for transfusion
- Clinical Chemistry - determination of the presence, absence, or quantity of chemical substances in body fluids
- Clinical Microbiology - detection of bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other pathogens
- Clinical Histotechnology - gross dissection and preparation of tissues for microscopy
Please note that students will perform phlebotomy techniques in each semester of study.
Program Highlights
- 3 years – 6 semesters
- Third year clinical practicum training in an accredited hospital or private laboratory
- Theoretical and laboratory training using sophisticated analyzers in clinical hematology, transfusion science, clinical chemistry, clinical microbiology, and clinical histotechnology
- Graduates are eligible to write the national certification examination administered by the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS)
- Curriculum delivered by experienced and knowledgeable faculty
Fieldwork/Placement
In the final year of the program, students will complete their clinical placement courses at an accredited clinical laboratory. Clinical placement semesters are continuous with no break during Study Week. There are two clinical placement courses, spread over the final two semesters in the MDLY program. Students have a short break between each of the semesters, as per the Academic Schedule. Cambrian has affiliated clinical partnerships with a number of public and private laboratories across Canada that will provide excellent clinical training to Cambrian's MDLY students. Clinical partner sites are subject to change; therefore, specific geographic regions may not be available at the time of your placement and other regions may be added. Please note that when you accept a seat in the program, you also accept to go to any of the program’s affiliated clinical sites available at the time of your placement. The placement will be delivered at an accredited hospital/lab in Canada that is an approved clinical partner of Cambrian College.
Please note that all related clinical placement expenses such as travel, parking, and accommodation are the responsibility of the student.
Additional 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.
Full Medical Requirements
- Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis (adult dose on or after 18th birthday)
- Measles Mumps Rubella (2 doses of vaccine or proof of immunity)
- Varicella (vaccine or documentation of immunity status)
- Polio (vaccine or documentation of immunity status)
- Hepatitis B (documentation regarding immunity status)
- Tuberculosis Screening (documentation of 2-step mantoux skin test, subsequent 1-step – required annually)
- Influenza vaccine (obtained annually when vaccination becomes available)
- COVID-19 Immunizations (2-3 doses)
Full Non-medical Requirements
- Respiratory Mask Fitting N95-3M models (required every 2 years)
- Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening (required annually)
- WHMIS Training (required annually)
- Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Certificate (AODA)
- Worker Health and Safety Awareness in 4 Steps (Bill 18)
Please note: On-campus labs (Year one and two), students must provide proof of:
- WHIMIS certificate
- Tetanus
- Diphtheria
- Hepatitis B
Registration to Practice
Graduates are eligible to write the national certification examination conducted by the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS). Certification qualifies you for registration with the College of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Ontario (CMLTO) or other provincial equivalent which is a requirement to practice in certain provinces.
Accreditation
The Medical Laboratory Technology program is an accredited program with Accreditation Canada.
Limited Enrolment
Please note that possession of the prerequisite course requirements does not guarantee admission. If the number of qualified applicants exceeds the number of places available in the program, the College reserves the right to select from among those applicants. All students applying by February 1 will be given equal consideration. Preference will be given to Ontario residents. Please see the Limited Enrolment F.A.Q.'s on our website under "How to Apply" for further details.
Quick Links
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)
Missing an Admission Requirement? We can help! APPLY NOW!
Visit https://www.cambriancollege.ca/upgrading/ for more information about our FREE Academic Upgrading Program.1
Graduates from the Medical Laboratory Assistant (MDLA) program at Cambrian College can apply to the Medical Laboratory Technology (MDLY) program with advanced standing (minimum grade requirements apply in order to transfer credits).
Additional Information
Registered CSMLS members pay a reduced cost for the national certification exam. Students can register as members with the CSMLS for periods of 2 years or 4 years at a reasonable additional cost. In 2023, the cost to write the CSMLS exam for a student member was $985 while the cost for a non-member was $1255. There are many additional benefits to being a student member with the CSMLS. For more information, please visit the CSMLS.
Missing an Admission Requirement? We can help! APPLY NOW!
Visit https://www.cambriancollege.ca/upgrading/ for more information about our FREE Academic Upgrading Program.1
APPLY NOW!
1 Please note Academic Upgrading is only available for domestic students.
Program Delivery
2024-2025
This program will be delivered in the following terms:
Fall Term Start
- SEMESTER 1 Fall 2024
- SEMESTER 2 Winter 2025
- SEMESTER 3 Fall 2025
- SEMESTER 4 Winter 2026
- SEMESTER 5 Fall 2026
- SEMESTER 6 Winter 2027
For specific term start/end dates and other key dates/deadlines, please see the Academic Schedule on our website.
Program of Study for 2024-25 Academic Year
| Semester 1 | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 1121 | Research & Writing/Health Sciences | 3 |
| MLT 1300 | Quality | 3 |
| BIO 1311 | Anatomy and Terminology | 3 |
| MLT 1301 | Lab Equipment and Safety | 4 |
| MTH 1310 | Lab Mathematics | 3 |
| One General Education courses. 1 | 3 | |
| Credits | 19 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| MLT 1302 | Molecular Techniques | 3 |
| MLT 1303 | Lab Techniques - Microbiology | 4 |
| MLT 1304 | Lab Techniques - Hematology | 3 |
| MLT 1305 | Lab Techniques - Chemistry | 3 |
| MLT 1306 | Specimen Collection and Handling | 3 |
| MLT 1307 | Specimen Collection and Handling Lab | 3 |
| MLT 1308 | Introduction to Transfusion | 3 |
| Credits | 22 | |
| Semester 3 | ||
| BIO 1301 | Clinical Microbiology II | 2 |
| BIO 1302 | Clinical Microbiology II Laboratory | 3 |
| CHM 1320 | Clinical Chemistry II | 2 |
| CHM 1321 | Clinical Chemistry II Lab | 3 |
| MLT 1310 | Clinical Histotechnology II | 2 |
| MLT 1311 | Clinical Histotechnology II Lab | 3 |
| MLT 1312 | Transfusion Science II | 2 |
| MLT 1313 | Transfusion Science II Lab | 3 |
| MLT 1314 | Clinical Hematology II | 2 |
| MLT 1315 | Clinical Hematology II Laboratory | 3 |
| Credits | 25 | |
| Semester 4 | ||
| BIO 1303 | Clinical Microbiology III | 2 |
| BIO 1304 | Clinical Microbiology III Laboratory | 3 |
| CHM 1440 | Clinical Chemistry III | 2 |
| CHM 1441 | Clinical Chemistry III Lab | 3 |
| MLT 1400 | Clinical Histotechnology III | 2 |
| MLT 1401 | Clinical Histotechnology III Lab | 3 |
| MLT 1402 | Clinical Hematology III | 2 |
| MLT 1403 | Clinical Hematology III Laboratory | 3 |
| MLT 1404 | Transfusion Science III | 2 |
| MLT 1405 | Transfusion Science III Lab | 3 |
| Credits | 25 | |
| Semester 5 | ||
| MLT 1031 | Comprehensive Review I | 1 |
| MLT 1500 | Clinical Placement I | 12 |
| One General Education Course. 1 | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Semester 6 | ||
| MLT 1032 | Comprehensive Review II | 1 |
| MLT 1600 | Clinical Placement II | 12 |
| One General Education Course. 1 | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Total Credits | 123 | |
- 1
For more information regarding General Education courses, click here.
Fees
Tuition and Ancillary Fees
Please see our fees page for the breakdown of tuition and mandatory ancillary fees by program and semester for both domestic and international students.
Books & Supplies
The cost of books and supplies for each year of the Medical Laboratory Technology program is approximately $1,350. This is the best information available at the time of publishing to the website and is subject to change.
Graduate Options
Employment Opportunities
While most medical laboratory technologists (MLTs) work in public hospital laboratories, MLTs also find challenging employment in other areas. From industrial research and public health laboratories to forensic and pharmaceutical laboratories, the MLT’s analytical, scientific, and technical skills are a valuable asset. Other career options may include:
- Consulting
- Sales and marketing
- Research and product systems
- Laboratory information systems
- Supervision / administration / management
- Education
- Public health / infection control
- Technical support
- Quality assurance / total quality improvement
- Forensic biological sciences
College/University Degree Opportunities
Graduates from this program may continue their studies at college/university and may receive credit for their prior College education.
Refer to College/University Agreements for further information.
Please note: Cambrian College strives to ensure the accuracy of the information on this website. Please note that the academic curriculum is continually reviewed and revised to ensure that Cambrian's programs and courses remain relevant. The College reserves the right to cancel or make changes to any course or program, fee, procedure, or campus location at any time.