Medical Laboratory Technology

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.

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Medical Laboratory Technology is a nationally accredited two-and-a-half-year advanced 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 will participate in clinical practicum experiences 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 advanced 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 advanced 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).

For more information on paid education programs, view Canadian Armed Forces paid education programs (pdf).

For more information on careers, view the medical radiation technologist information on the Government of Canada website.

Learning environment

Each year, 50 students are accepted to this program.

Students will experience a mix of traditional lectures, web-assisted learning, practical labs and clinical practicums.
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.
31 week clinical, which includes:
- Nine weeks in year one at an approved site in Saskatchewan.
- 22 weeks in third year at an approved site within 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 clinical site in the province.

Travel to clinical practice education:

Students are responsible for arranging their own travel, accommodations and parking costs during their studies and clinical experience.
Clinical experiences may require travel and/or accommodations at more than one clinical location to meet all program requirements.
Not all clinical facilities are easily accessible by public transportation; students assigned to these sites must have access to personal transportation.

Internet requirements:

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 technologist.

Career and salary information

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.

Potential careers

Sample job title	NOC classification
Medical laboratory technologist (I/II/III)	Medical laboratory technologists (32120)
Medical technologists supervisor	Medical laboratory technologists (32120)

Admissions

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.
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 (SPCR-1002).

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. (CST) on March 15. Where the 15th falls upon a weekend, documents will be due the following Monday.

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

Selection criteria

The competitive score will be used to determine successful applications, based on highest admission averages.

Transcripts:

High School Graduates: 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 the weighted average of 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 15. 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 when 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.

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.

2024-25 academic year

Year 1 - $13,380
Year 2 - $7,660

Addition program 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 new 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
- Students should enroll into a course a minimum of 1-2 months prior to program start date as courses fill up quickly.
- MLT only require Object Moving TLR – (course code to register into is SPCR-1002)
- Approx. $95
Students will be required to purchase or routinely have access to a laptop or iPad for use at the start of their program. Students will be expected to bring it with them on registration day. Associated expenses are the students' responsibility.
- Windows 11 or MacBook OS13 to o13+; iOS 11.0+ (iPad only) minimum 4 GB of Ram and Webcam required.
- Note: Android and Chromebook are not compatible with the required systems.
Students will be required to purchase either an iPad or tablet size device or a smart phone with data plan for use during their clinical practicum experience and have stable Internet access. Associated expenses are the students' responsibility.
- Most recent iOS version (apple), version 5.0 or greater (android), 8 GB minimum, stylus.
- One of the latest versions of Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome or Apple Safari (Internet connection).
Students must routinely have access to a laptop or desktop computer for coursework.
Students are responsible for all travel/parking/accommodation costs associated with their clinical experience.

Courses

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.

Institution	Details
Athabasca University	Graduates of this program may be eligible for block transfer of 60 credit units into the Bachelor of Science Post Diploma program or 30 credit units toward BSc (PD) with Majors in Applied Mathematics, Computing Information Systems and/or Human Science.
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology	Graduates of this program may be eligible for direct admission into the two-year Bachelor of Technology program at NAIT.
Thompson Rivers University	Graduates of this program may be granted a maximum of 72 transfer credits into the Bachelor of Health Science.
University of Regina	Graduates of this program may be eligible for block transfer into third year of Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science.

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 MLT program full accredited status for a six year term.

Saskatchewan Polytechnic's Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT) program is an accredited program. Program content is based on national and provincial competency profiles, with topics added as appropriate for addressing local needs.

Graduates are eligible to write a National 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 the National Certification Examination is the responsibility of the student. For more information, see CSMLS website.

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