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Medical Laboratory Assistant

Oulton-College- Medical Lab Assistant Website Bannner

“Without laboratories, people of science are soldiers without arms.” Louis Pasteur

You are:

  • Technical-minded
  • Organized
  • Dedicated
  • Detail-oriented
  • Caring and patient

What is a medial lab assistant?

Medical Laboratory Assistants’ primary role is clinical support. Medical Laboratory Assistants may work in hospital or clinic settings, in departments such as phlebotomy and specimen receiving, or work directly in specialized laboratories.

How does Oulton prepare students for this field?

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. Our Medical Laboratory Assistant Program is accredited with Accreditation Canada/EQual.

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 5-weeks of Practicum with our partnered health care facilities.

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

Term: September – June

Practicum: 5 weeks

You Will Learn:

  • Anatomy & Physiology
  • Infectious Control & Safety
  • Blood and Specimen Procurement & Processing
  • Laboratory Procedures
  • Laboratory Mathematics
  • Microbiology
  • Histology & Cytology
  • Medical Terminology

Admissions 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 Foundations Level* 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 Preparatory courses are required. Based on New Brunswick Anglophone High School Curriculum. For other provincial or international requirements please contact us directly.

Unless they have completed a minimum of three years of study at a school where English is the language of instruction, international students whose first language is not English must submit proof of English language proficiency:

  • CAEL – minimum score of 60 
  • IELTS – 6.0, with no individual score lower than 5.5 
  • TOEFL (IBT) – 80, with no individual score lower than 18 
  • MELAB – minimum score of 80 
  • Duolingo – minimum score of 105 with no subject test score less than 95
  • Cambridge English – minimum score of 169 
  • Pearson Test of English – minimum score of 50 

Please see the international application process here.

Admissions Requirements – French School System

    • Diplôme grade 12, diplôme adulte ou GED
    • Rencontre avec un Admission Advisor
    • Soit une Biologie (411 ou 421) ou une chimie (311 ou 411) avec minimum de 60%
    • Math 311B ou 321B sont considérés des atouts mais pas nécessaires
    • Des quotas géographiques peuvent être considérés

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
  • Laboratory Information System
  • Communications
  • Professionalism
  • Client/Patient Services
  • Employment Strategies

Anatomy & Physiology/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.

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 including Lab

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:

  • Routine Practices
  • 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

Communications

This course will discuss skills in effective communication and key aspects of professionalism that impact client care. The student will learn strategies in dealing with conflict, change management and critical thinking. Ethical and legal requirements, scope of practice and professional development will be discussed as important factors in the professional practice of the medical laboratory assistant. Preparation for employment is also covered.

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 including Lab

This module 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 cover slipping
  • Preparation of gynecologic and non- gynecologic cytology specimens

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 two practicum sessions totaling 5 weeks. 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.

Cost Breakdown

Please refer to your contract for the detailed cost/ tuition breakdown. Costs vary by year, so please ensure you are referring to the correct dates.

Our renowned Medical Laboratory Assistant Program is perfect if you’re looking to quickly move from the classroom to the laboratory.

  • Hospital Laboratories
  • Private Clinics
  • Research Laboratories
  • Industry Laboratories
  • Microbiology Labs
  • Histology Labs
  • Cytology Labs
  • Phlebotomy Clinics