Medical Laboratory Technology

The Medical Laboratory Technology program is subject to the competitive admission process. It opens for application on October 1, and closes on February 15, each academic year. On February 15, paper applications are accepted until 4:30 p.m., and online applications are accepted until 11:59 p.m. (Saskatchewan times). All supporting documentation is required by 4:30 p.m. (Saskatchewan time) on March 1.

Those who applied for the diploma program for the September 2023 intake, will be transferred to the advanced diploma program. 

If you’re interested in the science and technology of health care, consider a career as a medical laboratory technologist. It will immerse you in an exciting diagnostic environment, working both independently and as part of a team to perform complex procedures and tests on all types of human specimens. You need to be meticulous, detail-oriented, committed to high standards and have aptitudes for critical thinking as well as math and science. If this sounds like you, check out Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s Medical Laboratory Technology program.

Medical Laboratory Technology is a nationally accredited two-and-a-half-year diploma program offered at Saskatchewan Polytechnic in Saskatoon. Experienced instructors guide you through a well-rounded curriculum that includes classroom theory, lab work and actual clinical experiences. You’ll learn about:

• clinical chemistry and microbiology
• hematology and hemopathology
• histotechnology and immunology
• laboratory practice
• specimen collection and handling
• transfusion science

Build Practical Skills

Class time is augmented by hands-on training in labs. You’ll also get 42 weeks of clinical practicum experience in hospitals and laboratories around the province, including placements in different settings to gain specific laboratory experiences, organizational skills and technical competence.

Diploma to Degree

Leverage your diploma into the Bachelor of Applied Management degree at Saskatchewan Polytechnic with only two years of additional study. Remote classes and part-time options are available.

Use your Medical Laboratory Technology diploma to ladder into a degree program at the University of Regina or Athabasca University (Alberta). A degree is usually required if you are interested in moving into management or teaching positions.

Nationally Accredited

After graduation, you will write the national Canadian Association of Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) certification exam. CSMLS certification allows you to work anywhere in Canada and to become a member of the Saskatchewan Society of Medical Laboratory Technologists (SSMLT), which is a requirement to work in Saskatchewan.

Serve in the Canadian Forces

Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s Medical Laboratory Technology program is recognized by the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), which means you can qualify for full-time subsidized education through their non-commissioned member subsidized training and education plan (NCMSTEP).

Visit https://forces.ca/assets/brochures/paid_education_programs.pdf for more information on paid education programs.

Visit https://forces.ca/en/career/medical-radiation-technologist/ or browse careers.

Learning Environment

Each year, 40 students are accepted to this program. Students will experience a mix of traditional lectures, web-assisted learning, practical labs and clinical practicums.

For this program, there is a heavy workload with 20 - 30 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.
Note: all sites require a rotation at a secondary site to meet program requirements

• 42-week clinical, which includes:
  • One week in second year at a location outside of Saskatoon
  • 22 weeks in second year and 19 weeks in third year at an approved site within Saskatchewan.
  • Alternate sites may be required in second year and third year 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 clinical experience. Students will continue with their didactic students 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.

Your Career

Medical laboratory technologists work for regional health districts, government health agencies, educational institutions and both private and public labs. You could work in a hospital, community clinic, research lab, industrial lab or veterinary clinic.

103 weeks

Year 1 - 35 weeks; Year 2 - 38 weeks; Year 3 - 19 weeks

• Saskatoon

Admission Requirements

• Grade 12 with a minimum grade of 70% in English Language Arts A30, English Language Arts B30, Foundations of Math 30 or Pre-Calculus 30*, Physical Science 20*, Chemistry 30 and Biology 30
• English Language Requirement (see Program-Specific ELP Requirements section)

*Previous Saskatchewan mathematics and physics requirements also accepted:

• Minimum of 70% in Math B30
• Minimum of 70% in Physics 20

Note

• Physics 30 will not be substituted for Physical Science 20 or Physics 20.
• 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.
• All applicants are required to complete and submit their Essay of Traits and Awareness Questionnaire by March 1.
• Effective for the application period October 1, 2022, to February 15, 2023, all applicants are required to complete and submit their Altus Suite Situational Assessment no later than March 1 (Note:  specific dates available for your program can be found by browsing Test Dates and Times on TakeAltus.com). The cost of the Situational Assessment is your responsibility.
• Accepted applicants are required to provide evidence of current N95 respirator mask testing prior to the 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.
  

Admission Method

Competitive

The competitive admissions process is used for programs where the number of qualified applicants regularly exceeds the number of spaces available. In competitive programs, higher admission requirements and/or additional selection criteria may be required. The application period for this program is October 1 to February 15, each academic year. All supporting documentation is required by 4:30 p.m. (Saskatchewan time), March 1.

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

Selection Criteria

For required information on preparing your application, refer to the Selection Process Guide for Applicants.

Phase I: The competitive score will be used to determine the applicants who progress into Phase II (based on highest admission averages). The competitive score will not be used in the Phase II process. Phase I requires applicants to submit all of the following:

Transcripts:

• High School Graduates (Effective Fall 2023 Intake):  The competitive score is calculated from final marks in high school courses required for admission to the program.  The high school competitive score will be compared to any grade point averages(s) (UGPA) presented for a minimum of 15 passed post-secondary credit units to a maximum of 30 of the most recent credit units from recognized post-secondary institutions - and the highest score will be considered for the applicant's final competitive score.  Such applicants must be in good academic standing with the institution.  Applicants are then ranked in the order of the highest score.
• Current High School Students: The competitive score is calculated from final marks provided by March 1. Conditional admission may be granted on this basis. Current high school students must order transcripts to be sent directly to Saskatchewan Polytechnic at the end of Semester 1 and the end of Semester 2 of the grade 12 year. The final grade 12 mark will be used where the course is completed. The final grade 11 mark will be used only in the absence of the grade 12 mark in the same subject.
• Post-Secondary Education: If applicable

Situational Assessment:

• Effective for the application period October 1, 2022, to February 15, 2023, all applicants must complete an Altus Suite Situational Assessment prior to March 1. To register and sign up for an Altus Suite Situational Assessment, go to https://takealtus.com.

Applicant's Checklist

In order for your application to be processed, all of he following must be completed and submitted:

1. Complete the Saskatchewan Polytechnic application form.
2. Submit transcripts (all high school and applicable post-secondary).  Transcripts must be sent directly from the educational institution to Saskatchewan Polytechnic Enrolment Services prior to the Phase 1 deadline date.
3. Upload a completed Essay of Traits Report before the application deadline.
4. Submit an Awareness Questionnaire to Enrolment Services before the application deadline (electronic submission only).
5. Enclose the Saskatchewan Polytechnic application fee with the application.
6. Complete a Situational Assessment (Altus Suite Casper test) prior to March 1.  Browse available Test Dates and Times for your program.

All required components and documents listed above must be submitted by the deadline in order to be considered for Phase 2 of the selection process.

Important Dates

• Applicants must submit the Essay of Traits and Awareness Questionnaire by the application deadline to be included in the selection process.

• Enrolment Services will send Letters of Offer to successful Phase 2 applicants by early to mid-April.

• Complete a Situational Assessment through Altus Suite within specific timelines.  You will be directed to https://takealtus.com to register your Altus Suite account and sign up for your Casper assessment.  Applicants are not required to complete Snapshot or Duet at this time.

• Applicants on the Phase 2 alternate waitlist will remain on the list until mid-September.

Essay of Traits:

• See the Essay of Traits - Applicant's Guidelines for Composition in the Selection Process Guide for Applicants.

Awareness Questionnaire:

• See Awareness Questionnaire (The questionnaire is only available from October 1 - March 1).

Phase II: Additional selection criteria is applied to applicants with the highest competitive score from Phase 1. Top ranked Phase II applicants will be offered a program seat

• Relevant post-secondary education = 10%
• Essay of Traits = 40%
• Situational Assessment = 50%

2022/23 Academic Year

Year 1 - $12,110
Year 2 - $9,725
Year 3 - $5,830

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 – both required
  • 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.
• WHMIS 2015 - Globally Harmonized System (GHS) certification
  • Approx. $35
• Transferring Lifting Repositioning (TLR®) Object Moving certification
  • Approx. $95
• Students will be required to purchase an iPad or tablet size device for use at the start of the program. Associated expenses are the students' responsibility.
• Students will be required to purchase or routinely have access to a laptop or desktop computer for coursework. Associated expenses are the students' responsibility.

Year 1

APHY 191

Anatomy and Physiology 1

3

APHY 282

Anatomy and Physiology 2

3

CHEM 176

Clinical Chemistry 1

5

CHEM 184

Urinalysis

2

ETHC 185

Professional Practices 1

3

ETHC 280

Professional Practices 2

2

HEMA 179

Hematology

5

HEMA 188

Hemopathology - Erythrocytes

2

HEMA 192

Introductory Hemostasis

2

HSTC 184

Microanatomy

2

HSTC 185

Histotechnology 1

3

HSTC 187

Histotechnology 2

3

IMMU 183

Immunology

3

INFC 180

Infection Control and Safety

2

MICR 187

Microbiology 1

6

MICR 188

Microbiology 2

3

MTER 180

Medical Terminology

1

PROC 180

General Laboratory Practice

3

PROC 181

Specimen Collection and Handling

3

QC 194

Quality Management

2

TRFS 180

Transfusion Science 1

3

Year 2 - Semester 1

BIOL 181

Molecular Biology

1

CHEM 279

Clinical Chemistry 2

3

CHEM 288

Clinical Chemistry 3

2

HEMA 189

Hemopathology - Leukocytes

2

HEMA 283

Advanced Hemostasis

2

MICR 189

Microbiology 3

2

PATH 181

Laboratory Result Correlation

3

QC 193

Best Practices in Point of Care Testing

1

TRFS 181

Transfusion Science 2

4

TRFS 182

Transfusion Science 3

2

Year 2 - Semester 2 and Year 3

CLIN 284

Clinical Hematology

19

CLIN 285

Clinical Transfusion Science

12

CLIN 286

Clinical Microbiology

22

CLIN 287

Clinical Histotechnology

10

CLIN 291

Specimen Procurement and Management 1

2

CLIN 292

Clinical Molecular Biology

2

CLIN 293

Specimen Procurement and Management 2

7

CLIN 294

Clinical Chemistry 4

19

RSCH 280

Intro to Research

2

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.

• Candidate Guide
• More about PLAR

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.

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

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

Graduates are eligible to write the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) General Medical Laboratory Technology certification exam. This entitles you to work anywhere in Canada and to register as a licensed Medical Laboratory Technologist with the Saskatchewan Society of Medical Laboratory Technologists (SSMLT).

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

• Indigenous Student Experience
• Medical Diagnostic Career and Program Information Session
• Personal Readiness

• BioScience Technology
• Combined Laboratory and X Ray Technology
• Cytotechnology
• Medical Laboratory Assistant 
• Phlebotomy