Program Description
A medical laboratory assistant is an integral member of the laboratory workforce, a field that is not only growing to meet the needs of an increasing and aging population but also changing to support medical and technological advances. The Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA) fast-track program will train you to collect, process, and prepare patient specimens, enter data, perform clerical and reception services, perform electrocardiograms and urinalyses, and carry out basic laboratory procedures. This program provides classroom and laboratory instruction, clinical integration training, and a SAIT-arranged practicum experience in a medical laboratory and patient service center. This will provide you with the opportunity to refine and apply your competencies before entering the field as a professional. Fast Facts
- Based on the availability of the practicum sites, students may have to travel or re-locate to anywhere in Alberta (and in some circumstances outside of Alberta) in order to complete their practica
- Special consideration of personal circumstances will not be provided when assigning practicum placements
- Students are responsible for any additional expenses related to their practicum, including pre-practicum requirements as outlined by the program, and relocation costs to practicum sites outside of Calgary
- Students require access to a personal computer with Internet in order to complete the required courses
All courses must be completed within the program completion timeframe. Please be advised that for the purpose of student loans, full-time student status requires that learners are enrolled in a minimum of 60% of a full course load per semester.Students require a personal computer with internet access in order to complete the required courses.
Your Career
Graduates find work as medical laboratory assistants in community collection sites, hospital rapid-response laboratories, high-volume medical laboratories and private insurance or home care companies. Graduates are often hired into casual positions initially which usually progress to full-time positions within one year of hire. In order to find employment, many graduates must relocate across Alberta and potentially even throughout Canada.
Student Success
Job expectations for success in this profession include: - Fine motor skills
- Critical thinking
- Communication (speaking, reading, writing, and listening)
- Able to work independently
- Able to participate in classroom, lab, and practicum activities as scheduled by the program
- Adaptable
- Able to work well under stress
- Able to use technology
- Attention to detail
- Able to maintain professional behaviour; emotional self-regulation
- Able to wear Personal Protective Equipment for extended periods of time
- Able to work extended hours, including nights and/or weekends and shift work
- Able to tolerate the sight of human blood and tissue
- Able to assist in transporting, lifting, and positioning of patients and/or equipment
- Able to meet the physical demands of the job (e.g. use hand, wrist, and arm for prolonged periods of time)
- Possess normal colour vision
- Able to tolerate latex and disinfection chemicals
- Able to sit for long periods of time (3-4 hours)
- Comfortable with performing patient care procedures which may be sensitive or performed in close proximity
- Ability to type at 30 wpm with high accuracy
Prospective students are strongly encouraged to refer to the ALIS website for career, learning, and employment information for Medical Laboratory Assistant, as well as the governing body’s competency profile for the profession, to ensure that they are able to successfully demonstrate the skills required to achieve all the competency-based objectives for the program and profession. Credentials
After successfully completing this program, graduates will receive a SAIT Medical Laboratory Assistant certificate.
All graduates are eligible for registration and membership with the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS).
Obtaining national certification as a medical laboratory assistant will allow for opportunities to work across Canada.
Accreditation
The Medical Laboratory Assistant program delivered by SAIT is accredited by Accreditation Canada, and is designed so that graduates achieve clinical competence as defined by the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS). As an accredited institute, graduates of the Medical Laboratory Assistant program at SAIT are eligible to challenge the CSMLS certification exam.
Progression
Students must attain a PGPA and/or a CGPA of 2.0 or better in each semester and pass the necessary prerequisite courses to progress through the program. To qualify for graduation, students must pass all courses, attain a CGPA of 2.0 or better and complete course requirements within the prescribed timelines. Admission Requirements
Completion of the following courses or equivalents: - At least 60% in Math 20-2 or Math 10C,
- At least 60% in English Language Arts 30-1 or English Language Arts 30-2,
- At least 60% in Chemistry 20,
- At least 60% in Biology 20.
Successful applicants must meet or exceed a score of 50% in the School of Health and Public Safety’s Entrance Testing Process.
All applicants must demonstrate English Language Proficiency prior to admission, including students educated in Canada.
Program Overview - Rural Health Zones (RHZ) Stream
The MLA program also offers a Rural Health Zones (RHZ) stream. This stream is cohort based and encompasses a blended delivery model. Learners will acquire their theoretical foundations through online education, and be provided hands-on simulated laboratory experience on-campus at SAIT, followed by a practicum rotation in a clinical setting. Practicum sites include fully operational laboratories and patient service centres located in rural areas of the province.
This stream of the MLA program addresses an existent need of Alberta Precision Laboratories’ services in rural areas of Alberta. As such, all practicum placements will occur within rural Alberta, and only applicants with a home address (living) in the region will be eligible for admission to the program. Students will be responsible for all fees related to their practicum placements, including the cost of travel, relocation, and dwelling.
Please be advised that all courses must be completed within the timeframe as displayed in the program outline, and that for the purposes of applying for student loans, all students in this stream are considered part-time.
Program Outline - Rural Health Zones (RHZ) Stream
Semester 2: September and October
Program Outcomes
Program outcomes are based on the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) Competency Profile.
- Practice within their scope of professional competence and according to established protocols, safety guidelines and ethical and legal requirements. (P. 1. 1. 2)
- Verify relevant data and ensure that appropriate specimens are collected and handled according to established protocols.
- Perform pre-analytical procedures on specimens from a variety of sources according to established protocols.
- Prepare reagents, media and supplies using approved methods and according to laboratory standards and established procedures. (P. 1. 1. 2)
- Interact with colleagues, patients, clients and other health professionals in a competent and professional manner. (1. 1. 1)
- Practice and promote the principles of quality management.
- Meet the legal and ethical requirements of practice and protect the patient’s right to a reasonable standard of care.
- Apply critical thinking skills to constructively investigate, evaluate and problem solve.
- Perform electrocardiograms and urinalysis to established protocols.
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