SIAST logo

Medical Laboratory Assistant


Location(s):  Saskatoon   

From diagnosis through to treatment, lab work plays a crucial role in modern health care. This means that medical laboratory assistants form an important part of the health care team.

The Medical Laboratory Assistant applied certificate program at SIAST emphasizes a hands-on approach to learning. Through classroom instruction, practical labs and clinical experience, you will learn how to collect specimens from patients and process the specimens for analysis. You will also develop skills in basic lab procedures, data entry and clerical/reception services.

Your studies will focus on:
  • anatomy and physiology

  • specimen collection, handling and information management

  • pre-analytical laboratory tasks

  • microbiology

  • histology and cytology

  • infection control and safety

  • teamwork, problem-solving and communication

Putting your learning to work in the real world is key to the program’s success. You will participate in supervised clinical experiences, where you will build your professional skills and gain practical experience in basic specimen collection, handling and management; phlebotomy; history and cytology preparation and microbiology preparation. Your clinical experiences can take place anywhere in the province and at multiple sites.

Note

This program is open for application from 8:00 a.m., October 1, to 4:30 p.m., February 15 (local times), each academic year. All supporting documentation is required by February 28(29). If either February 15 or February 28(29) falls on a weekend or a holiday, the applicable deadline is extended to the end of the next business day.

International applicants are not currently considered for admission.

Did you know?

When you graduate, you are eligible to write the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) Medical Laboratory Assistant certification exam. Becoming a certified member of CSMLS makes you eligible to work as a medical laboratory assistant anywhere in Canada.

How does it fit?

The ability to work comfortably with laboratory equipment and technology as well as with people is an essential skill for medical laboratory assistants. You not only will be carrying out laboratory duties; you also will be working with patients of all ages and cultures and often will be providing some clerical/reception services. In every area of the job, your genuine concern for others must be reflected in a commitment to accuracy and attention to detail.

Length: 21 weeks

More Links

Career Opportunities

Medical laboratory assistants work in many different settings. You might be employed in a hospital, medical office or walk-in clinic. You might prefer to work in a research lab or pharmaceutical company lab. Or you might use your skills in a veterinary, naturopathic, chiropractic or physiotherapy office.

General duties will vary according to your job environment, but a typical day might find you involved in data entry, specimen collection and processing, pre-analytical procedures and quality assurance.

For more information about career opportunities related to this program, contact Student Employment Services at the SIAST campus nearest you.



Program Details

Start Date(s): August

Apply Now

    Not currently open

Admission Requirements


  • Grade 12 with an overall average of 60% with English Language Arts A30, English Language Arts B30, Math 20 (or any 30 level math)*, Biology 20 or 30, and Chemistry 20 or 30

  • 30 words per minute keyboarding speed with 90% accuracy

  • English Language Requirement


Note

  • Standard First Aid and CPR HeartSaver "C" AED or equivalent are required prior to entry into the clinical practicum.

  • Accepted applicants may be required to provide evidence of a Criminal Record Check prior to entering the practicum component of the program. At the discretion of the practicum agency, you may be declined access to a clinical or work placement based on the contents of the Criminal Record Check. The cost of the Criminal Record Check is your responsibility.

  • High school students must submit a completed High-Demand Programs Preliminary Statement of High School Standing, or a final, official transcript by February 28(29).

  • All relevant post-secondary transcripts must be sent directly from the institution to Registration Services prior to the application document deadline of February 28(29).

  • Applicants are also required to submit career investigations and awareness questionnaires by February 28(29).



*Revised Mathematics Curriculum Requirement
(Effective July 1, 2013)

  • Foundations of Math 20 or Foundations of Math 30 or Pre-Calculus 30
    (replacing Math 20 or any 30 level math above)

  • All other admission requirements remain unchanged





Admission Method

High Demand

High-demand programs consistently have more applicants than spaces available at each SIAST location at which they are offered. High-demand programs have admission requirements plus additional selection criteria.

Selection Criteria

  • Phase I - Average will be calculated on high school subjects
    required for admission (see Admission Requirements above) .

  • Phase II - Additional selection criteria will be applied to
    those with the highest averages in Phase I :

  • Admission Average = 30%

  • Career Investigation = 30%

  • Interview = 40%



Tuition and Fees

  • For complete details on tuition and fees for this program, click here to access the SIAST campus Tuition and Fee Schedules.

Learning Method(s)

SIAST offers a variety of learning methods for course delivery. The following learning methods are available for some of the courses in this program.
      Classroom
      Clinical/Practicum
      Home Study
      Online

Please refer to the course descriptions for course specific learning methods.

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) Availability

SIAST recognizes that adults learn in many different ways and through many different means. This includes acquiring knowledge and skills through life and work experience or non-formal training.

Frequently asked questions regarding PLAR for this program are answered in the Fact Sheet. A detailed Candidate Guide, which includes a self-audit for all PLAR-ready courses, has been developed for this program. This information guides a candidate through all steps in the PLAR process.



Transfer Credit

Many SIAST students benefit from transferring credit. You may be eligible to transfer credit from or to another college or university. To learn more, visit our transfer credit web page.

Transfer credit options vary over time; this information is subject to change. Some transfer credit options for this program include:


  • ETHC 185 (Professional Practices 1), INFC 180 (Infection Control and Safety) and MTER 180 (Medical Terminology) are cored with the Combined Laboratory and X-Ray Technology, Medical Laboratory Technology and Medical Radiologic Technology programs.

  • PROC 180 (General Laboratory Practice) and PROC 181 (Specimen Collection and Handling) are cored with the Combined Laboratory and X-Ray Technology and Medical Laboratory Technology programs.

  • APHY 189 (Anatomy and Physiology) is a credit in the Therapeutic Recreation and Funeral Service programs.




Courses
expand/contract all

  • APHY 189  Anatomy and Physiology

    • The course introduces you to the study of the human body and how it functions efficiently. The content you will study is of critical importance for the promotion and maintenance of health.

    3.0 Credit Units
    40.0 Lecture hours

    Learning Method(s): Lecture/Theory, Correspondence-Structured Time

    Equivalent Course(s):   APHY 188    APHY 282    NURS 111   

  • ETHC 185  Professional Practices 1

    • You will receive an introduction to health care and health care delivery systems. You will study the legal and ethical issues faced by health care professionals. You will discuss interpersonal and employability skills required in health care professions with an emphasis on teamwork, stress management and problem solving. You will develop critical thinking skills and conflict resolution techniques.

    3.0 Credit Units
    45.0 Lecture hours

    Learning Method(s): Lecture/Theory, Prior Learning, Correspondence-Structured Time

    Equivalent Course(s):   HUMR 182   

  • HSTC 188  Introduction to Histology & Cytology

    • You will receive the theory and practice required to assist with the preparation of clinical specimens for microscopic examination. The course content includes specimen receiving and processing, block preparation and basic staining.

    2.0 Credit Units
    32.0 Other hours

    Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Correspondence-Structured Time

    Prerequisites:
    APHY 189 Minimum Grade of 60 (concurrent) and MTER 180 Minimum Grade of 60 and PROC 180 Minimum Grade of 60 (concurrent) and PROC 181 Minimum Grade of 60 (concurrent)

  • INFC 180  Infection Control and Safety

    • You will study the transmission of microorganisms, blood-borne pathogens (i.e. hepatitis virus and HIV), standard precautions, isolation procedures, immunization for medical workers, sterilization and disinfection, biohazardous waste, safety and WHMIS.

    2.0 Credit Units
    23.0 Lecture hours
    2.0 Lab hours

    Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Prior Learning, Correspondence-Structured Time, Correspondence, Online/Blackboard

  • MICR 190  Introduction to Microbiology

    • You will receive the theory and practice required to culture routine microbiology specimens. You will discuss media composition, autoclaving and quality control. The course content includes stool preparation for parasitology examination and Gram staining.


    2.0 Credit Units
    16.0 Lecture hours
    14.0 Lab hours

    Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Correspondence-Structured Time

    Prerequisites:
    MTER 180 Minimum Grade of 60 and PROC 180 Minimum Grade of 60 (concurrent) and PROC 181 Minimum Grade of 60 (concurrent)

  • MTER 180  Medical Terminology

    • You will learn to use the prefixes, suffixes and combining forms from which medical terms are derived. You will also learn to use medical abbreviations.

    1.0 Credit Units
    10.0 Lecture hours

    Learning Method(s): Lecture/Theory, Prior Learning, Correspondence-Structured Time, Correspondence

    Equivalent Course(s):   MED 161   

  • PRAC 127  Specimen Management Practicum

    • You will participate in a supervised clinical experience where you will follow the hours of work at a clinical site. Upon successfully completing this experience, you will be able to perform specimen accessioning and several specific procedures in the clinical laboratory.


    7.0 Credit Units
    108.0 Other hours

    Learning Method(s): Clinical/Practicum, Prior Learning, Clinical/Practicum-Individual

    Prerequisites:
    ETHC 185 Minimum Grade of 60 and PROC 183 Minimum Grade of 60 and HSTC 188 Minimum Grade of 60 and MICR 190 Minimum Grade of 60

  • PRAC 128  Phlebotomy Practicum

    • You will participate in a supervised clinical experience where you will follow the hours of work at a clinical site. Upon successfully completing this experience, you will be able to perform phlebotomy.

    5.0 Credit Units
    72.0 Other hours

    Learning Method(s): Clinical/Practicum, Prior Learning, Clinical/Practicum-Individual

    Prerequisites:
    ETHC 185 Minimum Grade of 60 and PROC 183 Minimum Grade of 60 and HSTC 188 Minimum Grade of 60 and MICR 190 Minimum Grade of 60

  • PRAC 129  Histology & Cytology Preparation

    • You will participate in a supervised clinical experience where you will follow the hours of work at a clinical site. Upon successfully completing this experience, you will be able to assist with routine histological/cytological specimen preparation.


    4.0 Credit Units
    65.0 Other hours

    Learning Method(s): Clinical/Practicum, Prior Learning, Clinical/Practicum-Individual

    Prerequisites:
    ETHC 185 Minimum Grade of 60 and PROC 183 Minimum Grade of 60 and HSTC 188 Minimum Grade of 60 and MICR 190 Minimum Grade of 60

  • PRAC 130  Microbiology Preparation

    • You will participate in a supervised clinical experience where you will follow the hours of work at a clinical site. Upon successfully completing this experience, you will be able to prepare culture media, autoclave and assist with specimen culture and preparation.

    5.0 Credit Units
    72.0 Other hours

    Learning Method(s): Clinical/Practicum, Prior Learning, Clinical/Practicum-Individual

    Prerequisites:
    ETHC 185 Minimum Grade of 60 and PROC 183 Minimum Grade of 60 and HSTC 188 Minimum Grade of 60 and MICR 190 Minimum Grade of 60

  • PROC 180  General Laboratory Practice

    • You will receive the theory and practice required to perform basic procedures in a laboratory. The course content includes laboratory glassware, use of balances, centrifuges, thermal equipment, pH meters, microscopes and solution preparation with related calculations.

    2.0 Credit Units
    17.0 Lecture hours
    18.0 Lab hours

    Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Prior Learning, Correspondence-Structured Time

    Prerequisites:
    INFC 180 Minimum Grade of 60

  • PROC 181  Specimen Collection and Handling

    • You will learn how to collect, handle and transport various laboratory specimens to ensure the quality of laboratory results. The collection of blood specimens will be emphasized. You will practice capillary and venous collection on adults at various sites in the community.

    2.0 Credit Units
    24.0 Lecture hours
    12.0 Lab hours

    Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Prior Learning, Correspondence-Structured Time

    Prerequisites:
    INFC 180 Minimum Grade of 60

  • PROC 183  Introduction to Basic Lab Procedures

    • You will receive the theory and practice required to perform basic procedures in the clinical laboratory areas of specimen management, hematology and clinical chemistry. The role of quality assurance is discussed. The course includes procedures for erythrocyte sedimentation rate, stained peripheral smears, macro urine and pregnancy testing.

    3.0 Credit Units
    40.0 Other hours

    Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Correspondence-Structured Time

    Prerequisites:
    MTER 180 Minimum Grade of 60 and PROC 180 Minimum Grade of 60 (concurrent) and PROC 181 Minimum Grade of 60 (concurrent)

    Explore Related Programs

    More Information


    © Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology | webmaster | Last Modified: May 17, 2012 12:06PM