Your Future Starts Here…
Medical Laboratory Assistant
Our Oulton College Medical Laboratory Assistant Diploma Program prepares you for careers in both public and private sector laboratory facilities.
Medical Laboratory Assistants’ primary role is clinical support. They perform essential work, which helps doctors and medical staffs diagnose and treat diseases.
Our Medical Laboratory Assistant Program is accredited with the Canadian Medical Association. With an extensive need for Medical Laboratory Assistants in the health care industry, Oulton College works hand-in-hand with leading hospitals and regional laboratories to ensure our graduates are highly skilled and prepared to enter the work force directly from their Practicum.
Medical Laboratory Assistants may work in general hospital areas such as phlebotomy and specimen receiving, or work directly in specialized laboratory departments such as microbiology (bacteria), hematology (blood), histology (tissues) or cytology (cells). Our graduates often work in hospitals, research institutions or private clinics and laboratories.
The Medical Laboratory Assistant program provides hands-on practical experience and training in:
- Blood and Specimen Collection
- Specimen Processing Techniques
- Basic Laboratory Techniques
- Communication Skills
- Medical Terminology
- Laboratory Mathematics
Students receive theoretical training in the classroom in addition to direct hands-on experience in our modern Health Science Lab. While there are plenty of hands-on activities during the 10 months of your program, you will also complete a 6-week Practicum in one of our partnered health care facilities.
If the health care industry interests you and you enjoy research and laboratory work, our Medical Laboratory Assistant Program may be just the program for you.
Duration: September 2012 – June 2013
Practicum: 6 weeks
Career Choices
Our renowned Medical Laboratory Assistant Program is perfect if you’re looking to quickly move from the classroom to the laboratory. We can help you start an amazing career working in clinics, hospitals, research institutions and laboratories.
- Microbiology
- Histology
- Cytology
- Hospital Laboratories
- Private Clinics
- Research Laboratories
- Industry Laboratories
- Phlebotomy Clinics
You Will Learn
- Anatomy & Physiology
- Infectious Disease Control
- Blood and Specimen Procurement & Processing
- Laboratory Procedures
- Laboratory Mathematics
- Microbiology
- Histology & Cytology
- Medical Terminology
Course Descriptions
INTRODUCTION TO MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE
This module serves as a basic introduction to the field of Medical Laboratory Science. Topics covered include the following:
- Laboratory disciplines
- Quality Assessment
- Professionalism
- Client/Patient Services
- Communication
- Employment Strategies
ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY I / TERMINOLOGY
The student will be introduced to the different body systems, the structure and function of the major organs within each system and the pathophysiology of common diseases and conditions associated with each. The student will become familiar with clinical procedures, laboratory tests and abbreviations related to each system and other specialized areas of medicine.
SOFTWARE
Emphasis in this area is placed on giving the student knowledge in Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office software, which is becoming the software of choice for most of today’s offices. Using Microsoft’s latest office software Office 2007, the student becomes familiar with Word and Excel. The student also learns to use E-mail to communicate productively and the Internet as an effective research tool.
LABORATORY MATHEMATICS
Students will learn the basic mathematics used in a medical laboratory environment including:
- Mathematical essentials
- Measurement systems and conversion procedures
- Dilutions, solutions, and concentrations
- Charts, tables, and graphs
- Introductory statistics
BASIC LABORATORY PROCEDURES
This module will provide the medical laboratory assistant student with the knowledge of labware, basic laboratory instrumentation, reagent preparation and basic procedures in hematology and urinalysis, including the clinical practice.
INFECTIOUS CONTROL AND SAFETY
The student will review and develop a working knowledge of:
- Standard precautions
- Personal Protective Equipment
- Utilization of safety devices
- WHMIS
- Spill containment and clean up procedures
- Incident reporting
- Occupational health and safety guidelines
- Infection Control
- Appropriate methods for disinfection and sterilization
KEYBOARDING
Keyboarding is a foundation skill required for effective computer usage. By use of a valuable all-in-one keyboarding program, the student will develop proper keyboarding techniques and mastery of the keyboard. Emphasis is placed on speed and accuracy.
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY II
The student will continue to learn about the different body systems, the structure and function of the major organs within each system and the pathophysiology of common diseases and conditions associated with each. The student will become familiar with clinical procedures, laboratory tests and abbreviations related to each system and other specialized areas of medicine.
SPECIMEN PROCUREMENT
This course focuses on the theoretical and practical aspects of specimen collection techniques. The topics covered in this module include:
- Anatomy of the human blood circulation system
- Preparation for specimen collection
- Patient interaction
- Specimen procurement procedures for venipuncture, capillary specimens and urine collections
- Specimen identification
- Specimen delivery
SPECIMEN PROCESSING
The student will develop a working knowledge of various pre and post analytical processes such as:
- Specimen reception
- Verification of specimen integrity
- Pre analytic processes
- Specimen dispatching
- Specimen storage
- Basic office procedures including telephone techniques, faxing, filing and time management
BASIC LABORATORY PROCEDURES II
This module, continued from MLA 105, will provide the medical laboratory assistant student with the knowledge and clinical practice of basic clinical chemistry and immunohematology.
INTRODUCTION TO MICROBIOLOGY
The module introduces the student to basic microbiology and clinical procedures. The course includes the theoretical and practical aspects of:
- Clinical procedures used for microbiological specimens
- Culture media
- Inoculation
- Incubation
- Microbiology staining procedures
INTRODUCTION TO HISTOLOGY AND CYTOLOGY
The student will acquire basic knowledge pertaining to histology and cytology techniques such as:
- Specimen reception
- Specimen fixation, grossing, decalcification, processing and embedding
- Microtomy
- Staining and coverslipping
- Preparation of gynecologic and non-gynecologic cytology specimens
SELF DIRECTED STUDIES
This module is used by the student who may want to obtain one-on-one instruction with an instructor. Time will be assigned during the schedule each week. The student does not receive a mark for this module.
PRACTICUM
The student who meets all the work term criteria (has successfully passed all course material) will be placed in a health care facility for a 6-week practicum session. Specific objectives in all aspects of program and national competencies must be met in order to complete this module. Successful completion is mandatory for graduation from the program.
Admission Requirements
- Grade 12 Diploma, Adult Diploma or GED
- Grade 11 or 12 Biology* OR Chemistry* with a minimum average of 60%
- Grade 11 or 12 Math* is considered an asset
- Meeting with an Admissions Advisor
- Acceptance by the Admissions Committee
- Completion of the Pre-Enrollment Package
-
Geographical quotas may be considered
*Level II or University Prepartory courses are required
