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Northern College

PROGRAM INFORMATION

Northern’s Medical Laboratory Technician certificate will set you up with the knowledge and expertise you need to work alongside other laboratory professionals. Along with an overview of applied anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and chemistry, you’ll learn specimen collection and processing. You’ll

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PROGRAM INFORMATION

Academic Year :

2026-2027

Credentia l:

Ontario College Certificate

Program Delivery :

Full-Time

Duration :

1 Year

Length :

3 Semesters

Program Code(s) :

H150 - Timmins Campus (PC)

DESCRIPTION

Northern’s Medical Laboratory Technician certificate will set you up with the knowledge and expertise you need to work alongside other laboratory professionals. Along with an overview of applied anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and chemistry, you’ll learn specimen collection and processing. You’ll master the various tests and equipment. You’ll develop the professional bedside manner that’s so critical for close patient contact.

Using simulation in our medical lab, you’ll get all the practice you need. Plus, you’ll get experience at various local laboratories as part of your placement. It all adds up to a smooth transition to the workplace, and a rewarding career in a hospital, research lab, private or public clinic, and beyond.

The Medical Laboratory Assistant/Technician (MLA/T) program provides students with the knowledge and skills to enable them to work in a medical laboratory. Students will receive education and training in specimen collection and processing, the administration of ECG’s, set up of Holter monitors, and the use of laboratory equipment while developing the professional attitude and demeanor needed for close patient contact.

Students should be aware that working in a Medical Lab setting will result in exposure to potentially challenging environments, such as patient contact/trauma, mental health issues and challenging family dynamics in an emergency setting. Graduates must be capable of managing this work-related stress as part of their daily duties. Students will be expected to pay for any related travel/accommodation/living expenses for clinical placement, which may be in another town/city.

Students will have the opportunity to perform a variety of lab functions both within the simulation and during clinical practicums (see note on page 5) within both community and hospital laboratories. Upon successful completion of all courses outlined in the program of study, students are eligible to write the Examination for Medical Laboratory Assistant/Technician with the MLPAO or the CSMLS National exam.

This program is currently accredited with Canada/Equal. Equal is Accreditation Canada’s specialized health professional education accreditation program that helps health professions and their higher education institutions and programs deliver quality education to the future workforce.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Employment opportunities exist with hospitals, private/public health laboratories, clinics, veterinary laboratories, research labs, mining sector and commercial diagnostic supply companies.

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Medical Laboratory Technician

Program Outline 2026-2027

Medical Laboratory Technician

Program Outline 2026-2027

VOCATIONAL LEARNING OUTCOMES

  1. Utilize health and safety measures to protect the environment and ensure the safety of patients, coworkers, and self.
  2. Communicate laboratory and other data in written, electronic and verbal formats, accurately and completely.
  3. Prepare a variety of laboratory solutions and media accurately and appropriately.
  4. Demonstrate the safe and appropriate collection, and handling of specimens.
  5. Perform a variety of laboratory tests using correct techniques.
  6. Demonstrate the safe and appropriate use and care of specialized equipment within a medical laboratory.
  7. Prepare laboratory specimens to a level of diagnostic quality.
  8. Demonstrate proper technique in performing a venipuncture, a capillary stick and an arterial blood gas puncture to ensure a quality specimen.
  9. Demonstrate competency in data entry/retrieval within laboratory information systems.
  10. Perform laboratory duties within the scope of practice outlined in the RHPA, in compliance with current legislation, regulations, Standard and best practice guidelines.
  11. Demonstrate effective communication on a personal and professional level.

PROGRAM COURSES

The following reflects the planned course sequence for full-time offerings of the program. Programs at Northern College are delivered using a variety of instruction modes. Courses may be offered in the classroom or lab, entirely online, or in a hybrid mode which combines classroom sessions with virtual learning activities.

| Semester 1 | Semester 1 | Hours | |

Source: https://www.northerncollege.ca/uploads/Medical-Laboratory-Technician-2026.pdf