Medical Laboratory Assistant

Certificate
Medical Laboratory Assistant

Program Overview

Medical laboratory assistants work directly with other health care providers and patients and in the exciting laboratory setting. You collect health information and medical specimens from patients, but you also enter clerical data, process specimens and assist with basic laboratory activities. It’s a job that requires good people and communication skills, a professional yet caring attitude and a commitment to teamwork and excellence, as well as attention to detail.

Medical lab assistants are in demand in many areas. Look for jobs in hospitals, community clinics, medical offices, research and pharmaceutical labs, veterinary clinics, chiropractic and physiotherapy offices and more.

International applicants are not currently considered for admission to this program.

Medical Laboratory Assistant is a nationally accredited 32-week certificate program offered at Saskatchewan Polytechnic Saskatoon campus . Some classes are also available through distance education. Labs and clinical experiences are a big part of the program, so expect hands-on training in:

  • anatomy and physiology
  • basic lab procedures
  • histology and cytology
  • infection control and safety
  • microbiology     
  • specimen collection and handling

Put Your Learning to Work

You will participate in supervised clinical experiences, for a total of 8 weeks of training. Your clinicals will give you practical experience in a specific area: histology, specimen management, phlebotomy and microbiology. These clinical experiences take place at various sites around the province.

Ladder into a Saskatchewan Polytechnic Diploma

You can transfer several Medical Laboratory Assistant courses into Saskatchewan Polytechnic Health Sciences diploma programs, including Combined Laboratory and X-Ray Technology, Cytotechnology, Medical Laboratory Technology and Medical Radiologic Technology.

Learning Environment

Each year, 16 students are accepted to this program. 

Students will experience a mix of traditional lectures, web-assisted learning, practical labs and clinical practicum. For this program, there is a heavy workload with 15 - 20 hours/week of homework. Classes are Monday - Friday with variable hours between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. Clinical practicum hours will coincide with health care hours, and may include early morning start times (5 or 6 a.m.), evening, night, and weekend shifts.

Lectures and Practical labs: Saskatoon

Clinical Practicum Experiences
Clinical practicum placement may occur at any approved site in Saskatchewan.

  • 8 weeks at various sites around Saskatchewan
  • Alternate sites will be required to meet program requirements.

Clinical practicum experiences are assigned by the Medical Diagnostics Committee on Practicum Placements (COPP). Students will have an opportunity to rank their preferred clinical sites. However, due to limited clinical placements in each location there is no guarantee that students will receive a clinical site assignment from their list of preferred sites. Students must be prepared to attend their assigned placement at any of the clinical sites in the province.

Not all clinical facilities are easily accessible by public transportation; students assigned to these sites must have access to personal transportation. Students are responsible for travel, accommodation arrangements and costs, to, during and from their clinical experience. Students will continue with their didactic studies through online learning while on their clinical experience, and stable internet access is required.

Enrolment in the program will require acceptance of a clinical placement anywhere within Saskatchewan. Clinical placements are determined during the program closer to the dates for practicum experiences.

Refer to our frequently asked questions to learn more about the program and career as a medical laboratory assistant.

Career and Salary Information

Your Career

As a medical laboratory assistant, you could work in a hospital, community clinic, medical office, research lab, pharmaceutical lab, veterinary clinic, chiropractic and physiotherapy offices and more. Look for job opportunities with regional health districts, government health agencies, educational institutions and private labs.

Length and Start Date

Start Date(s):

September


Length:

32 weeks


Locations

  • Saskatoon

Admissions

Admission Requirements

  • 35 words per minute keyboarding speed with 95% accuracy (5-minute testing report to be submitted with transcripts); Testing is available through Saskatchewan Polytechnic Testing Services. A completed Keyboarding Test Results Form must be submitted to Enrolment Services.
  • Grade 12 with a minimum grade of 70% in each of English Language Arts A30, English Language Arts B30, Foundations of Math 20 or Foundations of Math 30 or Pre-Calculus 30*, Health Science 20 or Biology 30*, and Physical Science 20 or Chemistry 30*
  • English Language Requirement (see Program-Specific ELP Requirements section)

*Previous Saskatchewan biology, chemistry, and mathematics requirements also accepted:

  • Biology 20
  • Chemistry 20
  • Math 20 or any 30-level math

Note

  • Accepted applicants will be required to provide evidence of a Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Search upon admission into 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 and Vulnerable Sector Search. The cost of the Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Search is your responsibility.
  • Accepted applicants are required to provide current immunization records and meet Saskatchewan Polytechnic immunization requirements prior to entry into clinical practicum.
  • Accepted applicants are required to provide evidence of current N95 respirator mask testing prior to start of clinical practicums as directed by the program. N95 respirator mask testing is valid for two (2) years from the date of completion. Retesting may be required during your studies. The cost of N95 respirator mask testing is your responsibility.
  • Accepted applicants are required to provide evidence of 2015 WHMIS Globally Harmonized System (GHS) certification upon admission into the program. Recertification will be required every three years to remain current. The cost of WHMIS certification is your responsibility. Register for WHMIS.
  • Accepted applicants will be required to provide evidence of Transferring Lifting Repositioning (TLR®) Object Moving certification or Safe Moving and Repositioning Techniques (SMART®) certification upon admission to the program. TLR® or SMART® certification is valid for three (3) years from the date of completion. Recertification may be required during your studies. The cost of TLR® or SMART® certification is your responsibility. Register for TLR.

Alternative Admission

Applicants who do not possess the academic qualifications for a program may be admitted if evidence of probable success can be established through an alternative admission assessment. Applicants are automatically considered for alternative admission. However, some specific admission requirements may still need to be met.



ACCUPLACER©

Refer to the ACCUPLACER© cut scores for this program below, and review additional details concerning Alternative Admission using Accuplacer.

  • 250 Arithmetic
  • 256 Reading
  • 250 Writing
  • 4 Writeplacer

Post-secondary

Some programs allow applicants to meet the admission grade level requirement using 15 approved post-secondary credits. Review additional information.

If the program applied to has specific course requirements, they may be met through alternative post-secondary courses. Review already approved courses that may be used for admission purposes for your programs.

Admission Method

First Qualified/First Admitted

The First Qualified/First Admitted (FQFA) process is used for the majority of Saskatchewan Polytechnic programs. When we determine that you meet the program's admission requirements, you will be offered admission based on the date you fully qualify for the program. The earlier you provide the appropriate documents and information that qualify you for admission to the next intake, the earlier you might begin your studies. Your application, once qualified, is always considered for the next intake. 

Applicants to programs with multiple intakes in an academic year remain in the application pool until the last intake for that academic year has begun. Programs using the FQFA process receive applications year round and maintain an application pool for each academic year. Qualified applicants who are not offered a seat must reapply for the next academic year. 

Sponsored programs or programs targeted to specific groups do not accept applications year round or maintain an application pool.

See Admission Processes for more information about this method of admission.

Tuition and Fees

Estimates are based on current rates and are subject to change. Amounts for a program may vary by campus. Totals shown here include all mandatory fees as well as approximate cost for books and supplies. Visit the Tuition and Fees web page for a complete breakdown of tuition and fees for this program.

 

2022/23 Academic Year

$14,300

Additional programs costs that students are responsible for include:

  • Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Search
    • approx. $75
  • Immunizations
    • no cost if immunizations are completed with a Saskatchewan Polytechnic Health Nurse.
    • completed outside of Saskatchewan Polytechnic fees range from $90 to $120 for Hepatitis B series
  • Mask FIT Testing – two sizes
    • N95 - approx. $75 to $125
    • Mask Fit testing is recommended to be updated annually, however, it is mandatory to be updated every two years. If expiry date occurs during programming student must re-submit proof of testing to the program. Cost of re-testing is the student's responsibility. Students will be expected to bring the tablet with them on registration day.
  • WHMIS 2015 - Globally Harmonized System (GHS) certification
    • Approx. $35
  • Students will be required to purchase an iPad or table size device for use at the start of the program. Associated expenses are the students' responsibility. Students will be expected to bring the tablet with them on registration day.
  • Students will be required to purchase or routinely have access to a laptop or desktop computer for coursework. Associated expenses are the students' responsibility.

Courses

Expand All +
Code
Name/Description
Credits
 
APHY 103
Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology
3
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You will be introduced to the study of the human body and how it functions efficiently. You will study various body systems that are of critical importance for the promotion and maintenance of health.
Credit Units: 3
Course Hours: 45.0
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Theory, Online, Print Distance Group, Print Distance Individual, Prior Learning, Web Assisted Delivery Group
ETHC 101
Professionalism in Health Care
3
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You will participate in an introduction to health care and health care delivery systems. Co-operative working relationships, employability skills, conflict management, critical thinking skills, communication, wellness, and stress management techniques will be emphasized throughout the course.
Credit Units: 3
Course Hours: 45.0
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Theory, Online, Print Distance Group, Print Distance Individual, Prior Learning, Web Assisted Delivery Group
INFC 180
Infection Control and Safety
2
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You will learn the transmission of microorganisms and blood-borne pathogens as well as how to protect yourself and others when working with patients and patient samples.
Credit Units: 2
Course Hours: 30.0
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Online, Print Distance Group, Print Distance Individual, Prior Learning, Web Assisted Delivery Group
MICR 111
Introduction to Microbiology
3
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You will learn the theory and skills required to prepare, culture, incubate, and stain clinical microbiology specimens.
Credit Units: 3
Course Hours: 45.0
Prerequisites(s): APHY 103(concurrent), INFC 180(concurrent), MTER 180(concurrent), PROC 180(concurrent)
Equivalent Course(s): MICR 187, MICR 190
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Prior Learning, Web Assisted Delivery Group
MTER 180
Medical Terminology
1
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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.
Credit Units: 1
Course Hours: 15.0
Equivalent Course(s): MED 161
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Theory, Online, Print Distance Group, Print Distance Individual, Prior Learning, Web Assisted Delivery Group
PROC 180
General Laboratory Practice
3
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You will learn the theory and practice required to perform basic procedures in a medical laboratory. The course content includes laboratory solution preparation with related calculation and standard laboratory equipment such as: glassware, centrifuges, balances, pipettes, thermal equipment, and microscopes. You will continue to apply previously learned laboratory theory and skills. You will learn the theory and practice required to perform basic procedures in a medical laboratory. The course content includes laboratory solution preparation with related calculation and standard laboratory equipment such as: glassware, centrifuges, balances, pipettes, thermal equipment, and microscopes. You will continue to apply previously learned laboratory theory and skills.
Credit Units: 3
Course Hours: 45.0
Prerequisites(s): INFC 180(concurrent), MTER 180(concurrent)
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Prior Learning, Web Assisted Delivery Group
PROC 183
Introduction to Basic Laboratory Procedures
2
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You will receive the theory and practice required to perform basic procedures in the clinical laboratory areas of hematology and chemistry. You will demonstrate knowledge of quality management and the importance of critical thinking strategies. You will perform techniques required for erythrocyte sedimentation rate, preparing and staining peripheral smears, macroscopic urine testing, and point-of-care testing.
Credit Units: 2
Course Hours: 30.0
Prerequisites(s): PROC 180(concurrent)
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Prior Learning, Web Assisted Delivery Group
PROC 185
Laboratory Specimen Procurement
3
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You will be introduced to the structure and function of the main medical laboratories in this course. Sample collection, handling, storage, and distribution will be covered, with an emphasis on the maintenance of specimen integrity.
Credit Units: 3
Course Hours: 45.0
Prerequisites(s): INFC 180(concurrent), MTER 180(concurrent)
Equivalent Course(s): PROC 181, PROC 184
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Prior Learning, Web Assisted Delivery Group
PSYC 104
Psychology of Health and Wellness Management
1
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In this course you will be introduced to theories of stress and holistic concepts of wellness honouring different cultural perspectives. You will use the Medicine Wheel as a tool to examine the influence of stress on physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional health. Finally, you will create a personal stress management plan with a goal of respecting the four elements of health.
Credit Units: 1
Course Hours: 15.0
Potential Learning Method(s): Online, Prior Learning, Web Assisted Delivery Group
CLIN 112
Clinical Procedures
8
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You will participate in a supervised clinical experience. Upon successfully completing this experience, you will be prepared to perform several specific procedures in the clinical laboratory.
Credit Units: 8
Course Hours: 120.0
Prerequisites(s): SIMU 100(concurrent)
Potential Learning Method(s): Clinical/Practicum, Prior Learning, Web Assisted Delivery Group
CLIN 113
Clinical Specimen Procurement and Management
6
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You will participate in a supervised clinical experience. Upon successfully completing the experience, you will be adept at specimen procurement, data entry, receiving and distributing specimens, plus preparing specimens for analysis.
Credit Units: 6
Course Hours: 90.0
Prerequisites(s): PROC 185
Potential Learning Method(s): Clinical/Practicum, Prior Learning, Web Assisted Delivery Group
ECRD 180
Electrocardiography
2
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Your studies will focus on the theoretical aspects required to perform electrocardiograms (ECGs). The course content includes recording techniques, recognizing artifacts and identifying remedies to minimize them, and recognizing basic cardiac arrhythmias. You will develop skills to perform ECGs.
Credit Units: 2
Course Hours: 30.0
Prerequisites(s): APHY 103, MTER 180
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Online, Print Distance Group, Print Distance Individual, Prior Learning, Web Assisted Delivery Group
EDUC 100
Competency Development
1
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You will develop a study plan using learning activities and assignments to maintain and improve personal competence. A systematic review of curriculum content, the national competency profile and comprehensive practice exam questions will be used to identify specific areas for improvement. You will receive an introduction to research within health care.
Credit Units: 1
Course Hours: 15.0
Prerequisites(s): ETHC 101, MICR 111, PROC 183, ECRD 180(concurrent), HSTC 188(concurrent)
Potential Learning Method(s): Online, Prior Learning
HSTC 188
Introduction to Histology and Cytology
2
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Your studies will help you develop skills to assist with preparation of clinical specimens for microscopic examination. The course content includes specimen receiving and processing, block and/or slide preparation and basic staining.
Credit Units: 2
Course Hours: 30.0
Prerequisites(s): APHY 103, MTER 180, PROC 185, PROC 180
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Prior Learning, Web Assisted Delivery Group
IPE 100
Interprofessional Education
1
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Upon completion of this course, you will be able to define Interprofessional Education (IPE) and practice. You will be able to describe the benefits, barriers, and enablers to IPE. You will be able to explain how IPE positively affects collaborative patient-centered care. You will participate in a variety of IPE activities that will highlight professional values and ethics, as a member of an interprofessional team.
Credit Units: 1
Course Hours: 15.0
Prerequisites(s): ETHC 101
Potential Learning Method(s): Online, Prior Learning
SIMU 100
Practical Skills and Simulation
2
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You will participate in activities to help prepare you for clinical experience. The course will focus on skill development in laboratory and electrocardiogram (ECG). The experience will assist you to correlate your theory to real patient and laboratory situations. You will demonstrate your ability to prioritize, organize, and implement procedures. Your ability to apply professional practice will be stressed. You will continue to apply previously learned knowledge and skills.
Credit Units: 2
Course Hours: 30.0
Prerequisites(s): ECRD 180(concurrent), PROC 183, HSTC 188(concurrent), ETHC 101, MICR 111
Potential Learning Method(s): Lab/Practical, Prior Learning, Web Assisted Delivery Group
SOCI 101
Cultural and Indigenous Awareness in Health Care
3
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You will be introduced to the sociological imagination. You will discuss the relationship between culture, colonization, and land. The sociology of science and technology will be explained. You will learn to recognize forms of oppression, diversity, and inclusion. Next you will explore the need for reconciliation and decolonization. Finally, you will develop a personal awareness plan and social action plan.
Credit Units: 3
Course Hours: 45.0
Potential Learning Method(s): Online, Prior Learning, Web Assisted Delivery Group
Total semester credits: 46

Get Credit for What You Know

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition

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

Due to professional certification, licensing and/or regulation, some courses cannot be assessed through PLAR.

See the Candidate Guide below for this program’s PLAR offerings.


Transfer Credit

Many Sask Polytech students benefit from transferring course credit. You may be eligible to transfer credit to Sask Polytech or to another college or university.

Student Awards

Thanks to the generosity of donors and alumni, Saskatchewan Polytechnic gives away more than $2 million in student awards during the academic year.

Saskatchewan Polytechnic offers student awards for every certificate and diploma program at every campus. Not all student awards are based on marks - some are based on financial need or things like community or volunteer involvement.

More about scholarships

Accreditation

Accreditation Canada/EQual Canada has accorded the MLA program full accredited status for a 6 year term.

Saskatchewan Polytechnic's Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA) program is an accredited program. Program content is based on the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science MLA competency profile, with topics added as appropriate for addressing local needs.

Graduates are eligible to write the national Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA) certification exam. Certification is the accepted standard for many jobs - it also allows you to work anywhere in Canada.

The cost of CSMLS MLA national certification examination is the responsibility of the student. For more information, see www.csmls.org/About-Us/What-We-Do/Certification.aspx.

Additional Information

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