Medical Laboratory Assistant Program

• 640 hours; 8 months; 32 weeks
• 520 hours of didactic learning (400 hours of theory and 120 hours of laboratory practice) and 120 hours of clinical practicum

Upon completion of this program the successful student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:

1. Demonstrate effective communication and interpersonal skills
2. Maintain a professional image as part of the healthcare system
3. Demonstrate good keyboarding and computer skills
4. Understand the practice and principles of confidentiality and ethics
5. Outline legislation that applies to the procurement of patient information
6. Ensure Chain of Custody documentation is completed
7. Practice safe work procedures to ensure the safety of patients and other coworkers in the Medical Laboratory and other healthcare environments
8. Demonstrate fundamental knowledge of the functions of the major body systems and organs
9. Define and use Medical Terminology in the proper context as it applies to the Medical Laboratory
10. Collect blood for laboratory testing using venipuncture and capillary puncture techniques according to established protocols
11. Maintain specimen integrity throughout preanalytical, analytical, and postanalytical processes
12. Illustrate the determination and administration of a glucose load for a Glucose Tolerance Test
13. Perform a technically accurate electrocardiogram (ECG)
14. Demonstrate proper specimen preparation and handling for samples used for hematology, chemistry, POCT, microbiology, urinalysis, transfusion medicine, cytology, and histology
15. Instruct patients on the collection of specimens including urine samples and microbiology specimens
16. Prepare reagents according to procedure, ensuring proper safety precautions, equipment use, and calculations
17. Clean glassware with correct detergents, disinfectants, and equipment
18. Load and use a centrifuge with proper balancing of the specimens
19. Aliquot specimens using proper pipette technique
20. Utilize laboratory equipment and supplies with safe and proper handling, performing required maintenance and calibrations

Students need to pass all the courses with at least 60% marks and get a “Pass” from the supervisor in their skills course and practicum.

• Essentials of Anatomy & Physiology, 8th Edition
• Linne & Ringsrud’s Clinical Laboratory Science, 8th Edition
• Mosby’s Canadian Manual of Diagnostic and Laboratory Tests, 2nd Edition (Chapters 1-3, 11, Appendixes)
• The ECG Made Easy, 9th Edition
• Laboratory Quality Management System: Handbook
• CSMLS Laboratory Safety Guidelines 8th Edition (2017)
• CSMLS Code of Conduct
• Course Handouts as provided by the Instructor