Program Duration: 50 Weeks
Clinical Placement: 4–6 Weeks
Credential Awarded: Diploma
The Medical Laboratory Technician (MLA/T) Diploma Program is a comprehensive, career-focused training program designed to prepare students for employment in modern medical laboratories across Canada. This program provides students with the technical, clinical, and professional competencies required to work effectively in hospital laboratories, private diagnostic facilities, medical clinics, research laboratories, and other healthcare environments.
Through a combination of classroom instruction, hands-on laboratory training, simulation-based learning, and supervised clinical placement, students acquire the practical skills and professional behaviors expected of entry-level Medical Laboratory Assistants and Technicians.
This 50-week diploma program integrates theoretical instruction with experiential learning to ensure graduates are fully prepared to enter the workforce. The program includes:
Two weeks of Experiential Learning Simulation in a controlled laboratory environment
Four to six weeks of supervised clinical practicum in an off-site healthcare or diagnostic laboratory setting
Students receive instruction from industry-experienced faculty and gain extensive hands-on exposure to laboratory equipment, specimen handling, and diagnostic procedures commonly used in clinical laboratories.
The curriculum is aligned with national and provincial standards of practice for Medical Laboratory Assistants and Technicians, including those established by:
CSMLS (Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science)
MLPAO (Medical Laboratory Professionals’ Association of Ontario)
This program is delivered using a competency-based approach, ensuring students master both the technical and professional skills required for safe and effective laboratory practice. Key areas of training include:
Blood and specimen collection (phlebotomy and capillary sampling)
ECG testing and Holter monitor setup
Laboratory instrumentation and diagnostic equipment operation
Specimen processing, labeling, and tracking
Medical terminology and laboratory documentation
Laboratory information systems and computer applications
Infection control, biosafety, and quality assurance
Professional communication and patient interaction
Students also develop essential professional behaviors, including ethical practice, teamwork, confidentiality, attention to detail, and patient-centered care.
Graduates of the Medical Laboratory Technician Diploma Program are prepared for employment in a wide range of healthcare and diagnostic settings, including:
Hospitals
Medical clinics and physician offices
Private diagnostic laboratories
Public health and government laboratories
Research and academic laboratories
Veterinary and animal health laboratories
As laboratory medicine continues to expand, demand for skilled Medical Laboratory Assistants and Technicians remains strong across Canada.
This program is Admitted by Accreditation Canada (EQual™), reflecting its adherence to recognized standards of quality, safety, and educational excellence.
Graduates are prepared to challenge the national and provincial certification examinations:
The CSMLS national certification examination must be written within 12 months of graduation.
Upon successful completion, graduates earn the designation Certified MLA/T.
The MLPAO provincial certification exam is offered three times per year.
Successful candidates earn the professional designation MLA/T.
Exam fees and registration information are available through CSMLS and MLPAO.
Students benefit from training in a fully equipped, modern diagnostic laboratory featuring automated and manual testing systems. Instruction includes:
Phlebotomy and specimen handling
ECG testing and cardiac monitoring
Clinical chemistry and hematology analysis
Urinalysis and body fluid testing
Microbiology and histology techniques
Quality control and safety protocols
Hands-on practice is reinforced through simulation exercises and real-world clinical experience.
Clinical placements are coordinated by the College and may take place inside or outside the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Students are responsible for their own travel, accommodation, meals, and any associated expenses.
Successful completion of the practicum is required for graduation.
To progress and graduate from the program, students must:
Achieve a minimum grade of 70% in all courses
Successfully complete all laboratory and clinical competencies
Complete the clinical practicum within the designated timeframes
Before participating in clinical placement, students must provide:
Proof of required immunizations
Valid CPR and First Aid certification
A clear Vulnerable Sector Criminal Record Check
Students must also meet health and fitness standards required by clinical placement facilities.
Applicants must meet one of the following criteria:
Possession of an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent
Mature Student Status (18 years or older) with successful completion of the Wonderlic entrance exam
All applicants must also complete:
An admissions interview and assessment questionnaire
Submission of an updated résumé
This program is ideal for:
Individuals seeking to begin a career in healthcare
Internationally trained or newcomer professionals upgrading their credentials
Healthcare workers seeking specialization in laboratory diagnostics
Anyone interested in a stable, in-demand, and rewarding career in medical laboratory science
