Your Comprehensive Guide to Launching a Career in Medical Lab Sciences

Every single day, thousands of patients across Ontario and Canada are relying on medical laboratory science professionals to efficiently and accurately test and assess results so that their physicians have the details required to accurately diagnose and treat their conditions.

With over 70% of medical decisions relying on lab results, an increase in testing demand, an aging population intent on living not just quantity but quality lives, and there being a massive shortage of professionals to meet the demand – there is an extraordinary opportunity for those seeking to contribute to healthcare in our communities.

Whether you’re looking to make your mark behind the scenes, interact with patients directly or have immigrated to Canada having been a medical lab profession in your home country, there are myriad, in-demand roles in this field. And Anderson College’s fast-track training programs are held to the highest educational standards, blending theoretical and hands-on training in state-of-the-art facilities, giving you the skills, confidence, and competitive edge you need to succeed.

If you’ve ever considered becoming a medical laboratory technician, medical technologist, pursuing your medical technician certification, engaging in a medical laboratory technologist program, or are new to this country and looking for a bridging program to align your skills with Canadian standards … this blog is for you.

These are all the details you need to know about your career options and the healthcare training programs to get you there.

Your Guide to Pursuing & Launching a Thriving Career in Med Lab Sciences

Let’s review the top Medical Lab Roles, Requirements, Training and Resources
you need to determine the ideal career fit for you!

Medical Laboratory Technician / Assistant

The Role: As a medical lab technician or med lab technician assistant you will perform laboratory procedures such as preparing specimens for testing, preparing culture media and stock solutions, and recognizing problems and errors in lab procedures. You will be responsible for drawing blood, as well as logging patient samples and preparing them for testing. All while using automated equipment and computerized instruments capable of performing several tests simultaneously, as well as microscopes, cell counters, and other sophisticated laboratory equipment.

Training – What to Expect & Benefits:

• An EQual Accredited fast-track program, within or just over one year, depending on the campus and program you choose. This gets you trained and out into the field to begin applying your knowledge and skills quickly.
• Training by industry experts in small-sized classes to get you the attention you need.
• A powerful blend of theoretical learning and hands-on practical training in state-of-the-art simulated labs and a practicum offsite with potential employers.
• A compassionate and supportive community helping as you adjust to a new school or even a new country.
• As you pursue a position upon graduation and whenever you need – for life – practical support from our career services team.

* For All the Details, please visit our Medical Lab Tech/Assistant program pages.

Resource Blogs to Ensure You Have All You Need to Know:

• 7 Powerful Reasons to Pursue a Career as a Medical Laboratory Technician
• A Day in Your Life as a Medical Laboratory Technician/Assistant
• Insights to Inspire from Our Medical Laboratory Science Graduates
• 5 Common Tests You’ll Execute with Ease After Medical Laboratory Training
• The Vital Role of Medical Lab Professionals and Why They’re in Demand
• 7 Clear Signs a Medical Lab Technician Career is an Ideal Fit for You

Medical Laboratory Technologist

The Role: Medical lab technologists are highly trained healthcare professionals responsible for testing and analyzing biological samples in a lab, to aid physicians in the effective diagnosis and treatment of illness and disease. You will prepare samples for testing, conduct test procedures, interpret results, record your findings, and send them to the physician. In this position, you often take on a leadership role with the healthcare team and mentor other professionals as they look to enhance their skillsets. You may be generalists or decide to specialize in a specific area of medicine, such as immunology, transfusion medicine, or hematology.

Training – What to Expect & Benefits:

• An EQual Accredited comprehensive two-year, fast-paced hybrid program, based on the national competency profile issued by the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS). Trains students to become skilled in applying the scientific, technical, and medical principles needed to perform and evaluate laboratory testing in a healthcare setting.
• First year consists of classroom instruction and lab training; second year consists of online theory instruction and an extensive clinical practicum at affiliated laboratory sites in and around Ontario. In the last term, students will write practice competency-based exams to prep for writing the national CSMLS certification exam.
• Program is taught by industry experts in small-sized classes.
• A compassionate and supportive community helping as you adjust to a new school or even a new country.
• As you pursue a position upon graduation and whenever you need – for life – practical support from our career services team.

*For All the Details, please review our Medical Lab Technologist – Hybrid program.

Resource Blogs to Ensure You Have All You Need to Know:

• Career Facts – What You Need to Know as a Medical Laboratory Technologist
• All You Need to Know About Medical Lab Technology – A Student’s Insight
• Expert Insights on Medical Lab Technologist Training
• Top 5 Reasons to Become a Medical Laboratory Technologist
• Differences Between Medical Lab Assistants/Technicians and Technologists

Internationally Educated Medical Laboratory Technologists (IEMLT)

The Role: Medical lab technologists are highly trained healthcare professionals responsible for testing and analyzing biological samples in a lab, to aid physicians in the effective diagnosis and treatment of illness and disease. You will prepare samples for testing, conduct test procedures, interpret results, record your findings, and send them to the physician. In this position, you often take on a leadership role with the healthcare team and mentor other professionals as they look to enhance their skillsets. You may be generalists or decide to specialize in a specific area of medicine, such as immunology, transfusion medicine, or hematology.

This role is the same as above, but this program is geared toward those who are trained medical lab professionals in another country and are looking to establish their healthcare career in Canada.

Training – What to Expect & Benefits:

• This program is intended for internationally educated medical laboratory technologists residing in Canada who have completed the prior learning assessment (PLA) through the Canadian Society of Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) and are seeking to fill any existing learning gaps and prepare to write the CSMLS General MLT certification exam.
• Requirements for Acceptance into the Program:
• Medical Laboratory Technologist (MLT) qualifications from another country with a current (not expired) completed CSMLS Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)
• Recent work experience as an MLT in the country where credentialed or recent MLT graduate (attach resume)
• Be a permanent resident/landed immigrant or have refugee status or Canadian citizenship and be in Canada
• *For full requirements please visit our IEMLT program page.

• Theory component is delivered online asynchronously (without formal lectures) with an IEMLT program facilitator hosting regularly scheduled meetings online for student check-ins. Scheduled lab sessions will be held in person at the Anderson College North York campus.
• Resources will be available on the learning management system Brightspace (D2L), usually with instructions to complete weekly modules. You are free to work through the semester modules at your own speed, however they must be completed by the end date provided by the program.
• Program is taught by industry experts in small-sized classes.
• A compassionate and supportive community helping as you adjust to a new school or even a new country.
• As you pursue a position upon graduation and whenever you need – for life – practical support from our career services team.

*For All the Details, please review our IEMLT program.

Resource Blogs to Ensure You Have All You Need to Know:

• Up Close with Kathleen, Internationally Educated Med Lab Technologist Graduate
• Internationally Educated Medical Lab Technologist Graduate Offers Valuable Insights

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If you envision pursuing your training for lab technician or laboratory technologist, whether you’re from Canada or another country and establishing a new life and career here, you are not alone. These details above can give you a glimpse into the extraordinary possibilities, but our whole team is here to help you navigate your way in determining your best med lab sciences stream fit, whether you’re eligible for funding opportunities, and so much more.

Still considering if a healthcare career matches your interests? Take the “Anderson College Medical Professional Career Training Readiness Quiz”.

But when you’re ready leap and launch your career in Medical Lab Sciences, simply book a virtual appointment with one of our admissions advisors and we’ll be thrilled to help you get started!

Your future in healthcare awaits!

Quick Links to Fuel Your Success!

We want to make sure you have what you need to succeed! Check out these reference links:

• Med Lab Sciences program category
• IEMLT program page
• GTA MLAT program page
• SW MLAT Program page