Medical Laboratory Assistant, Certificate

Program Information
Credential: 
Certificate
Duration: 

1 year

Delivery: 
Main Campus
Program Cost Estimates: 

Contact Information

Contact Name: 
Sharon Hamilton
Contact Title: 
Associate Dean
Contact Phone: 
403.342.3400 OR 1.888.732.4630
Contact Email: 
inquire@rdc.ab.ca
The Program

The program is designed so that students complete sixteen weeks of classroom and laboratory study at RDC followed by a seven week practicum of clinical laboratory training. The Medical Lab Assistant certificate includes four major areas of study: phlebotomy, urinalysis, histology, and microbiology. Students are trained to collect, process, and prepare patient specimens, enter data, perform clerical and reception services, perform electrocardiograms and urinalysis, and carry out basic laboratory procedures. Graduates of the MLA program are eligible to write the Canadian Society for Medical laboratory Science MLA national certification examination.

During practicum experience, students will address a limited selection of competency in a simulation lab. The remainder of the unpaid practicum occurs in settings whose staffing includes Medical Laboratory Assistants. The available practicum sites are located primarily in central Alberta.

All students are expected to travel to clinical agencies throughout Central Alberta Health Services Region for the clinical practicum. Students require access to reliable transportation that will enable them to complete the requirements for the clinical practicum. During the clinical practicum students may also be required to arrange alternate accommodation for up to 7 weeks during the winter semester. Students are responsible for costs associated with this travel.

Note: There is one annual intake in Fall for the MLA program usually beginning in October.

Requirements
Admission Requirements: 
  1. Minimum average of 60% and no mark below 50% in: English 30-1 or 30-2, Chemistry 20, Biology 20, and Mathematics 10C or Mathematics 20-2
  2. Keyboarding skills (two-tests - minimum 30 words per minute with 90% accuracy)
  3. Basic computer literacy exam (word processing)
Other Requirements: 

A completed Career Investigation report that documents a visit or job shadow in a clinical laboratory or blood collection site

Note: In addition to the program admission requirements applicants, whose first language is not English, must demonstrate English language proficiency.

Career Investigation:

Applicants are required to complete a Medical Laboratory Assistant Program Specific Career Investigation Report Form. A visit to a clinical laboratory or collection site and completion of a Career Investigation form specific to the Medical Laboratory Assisting program are required.

Non-academic Requirements / Immunization Requirements

Once accepted into the Medical Laboratory Assistant program, students will be given an immunization requirement form to be completed by their physician, public health nurse or health professional. Your immunization must be up to date prior to orientation. Your completed immunization requirement form must be submitted at your program's orientation in September.

Don't wait-start updating your immunization today. You will need immunization against tetanus and diphtheria, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chicken pox) and hepatitis B (including Hepatitis B titre). You will also be required to undergo tuberculosis screening within a specified time prior to practicum placement. Failure to do so will prevent you from participating in program activities and clinical placement. A copy of your records may be obtained from your public health clinic or physician's office.

Police Information Check:

Note: While not an admission requirement for the program, applicants are advised that they will be required to provide a Police Information Check (also known as a Criminal Record Check) including a Vulnerable Sector Check to most agencies where they will be placed for practicum experiences. The existence of police information or a criminal record may prevent practicum placement, program completion, professional licensure and therefore affect future employment prospects. It is the decision of each agency or institution to accept or reject a student for placement or observation experience based on the results of the police information check.

Graduation Requirements: 

You must pass all required courses including clinical practicum and achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.

Program Content

Year 1 Oct-April (irregular term)

  • MLA 100  Professional Relations
  • MLA 101  Basic Electrocardiography
  • MLA 102  Quality Management
  • MLA 103  Basic Anatomy and Physiology
  • MLA 104  Medical Terminology
  • MLA 105  Infection Control and Safety
  • MLA 106  Blood Collection & Handling
  • MLA 107  Introduction to General Laboratory Procedures
  • MLA 108  Introduction to Medical laboratory Testing
  • MLA 109  Miscellaneous Specimen Processing
  • MLA 110  Urinalysis
  • MLA 115  Clinical Practicum
Year 1 Course Descriptions

MLA 100

This introductory course develops the learner's understanding of the importance of effective interpersonal communication skills and team work in the health care setting. The diverse needs and human relations posed by health care clients are also explored. Students will analyze their personal effectiveness related to wellness and stress management.

MLA 101

This course is designed to provide basic theoretical aspects and the practical experience required to perform electrocardiograms. Includes recording technique; recognition and remedies of artifacts; and basic information on infarct recognition.

MLA 102

This course is designed to provide a complete overview of methods used to ensure quality patient care. The emphasis will be on quality assurance and quality control technique.

MLA 103

This course has been designed to develop a basic understanding of the structure and function of selected systems in the human body.

MLA 104

Knowing and using correct terminology is part of effective communication. In health care; the terminology is especially important and needs to be understood by all members of the team. Take your first steps in learning the proper terminology used in health and medical sciences.

MLA 105

Infection control - it's a hot topic across the world and demands attention in any Health care profession. Learn about the basics; including transmission of microorganisms; immunization practices for healthcare workers; blood-borne pathogens (Hepatitis and HIV); SARS; standard precautions; isolation procedures; sterilization and disinfection safety and WHIMS.

MLA 106

This course provides information and practical experience on the suitability; collection; handling and transportation of blood specimens to help ensure quality laboratory results. Emphasis will be placed on collection of blood samples from adults; children and infants. A variety of collection techniques for venipuncture and capillary puncture will be covered. Professionalism and excellent client service will be stressed throughout this course. The students will be introduced to a Laboratory Information System (LIS).

MLA 107

This course provides the theory and practice required to perform basic procedures within the clinical laboratory. Laboratory glassware and pipettes; microscopes; basic laboratory equipment; and reagent preparation with related mathematical calculations will be covered.

MLA 108

This course provides the student with a better understanding of the different departments in a clinical laboratory and the medical laboratory procedures associated with each. Emphasis will be placed on the definition; terminology and purpose of selected medical laboratory tests. The practical component of this course includes basic procedures in Hematology; Microbiology; Anatomic Pathology and Cytology.

MLA 109

This course introduces students to different types of specimens analyzed in the laboratory; including urine; stool (fecal); tissue; sputum; and other body fluids. Students will learn how to instruct patients properly to provide such specimens as required. Theoretical background and practical experience will be provided in the preparation of specimens for analysis. These procedures include specimen sorting; accessioning (data entry); checking specimen suitability; centrifugation; aliquoting; and delivery of specimens to appropriate laboratory departments.

MLA 110

The examination of urine provides a wide variety of useful medical information regarding diseases of the urinary tract as well as certain systemic diseases that produce quantitative alterations of urine constituents or the excretion of abnormal substances. Macroscopic (chemical) and microscopic evaluation of urine constituents will be learned.

MLA 115

Simulation lab and an unpaid practicum focused on practical experience in settings where staffing includes Medical Laboratory Assistants. Experience is provided at collection sites; rapid response laboratories and acute care sites. Travel to rural locations or to Edmonton to complete all or portions of the practicum experience may be required. Pre-requisite: A minimum grade of 2.0 in each of MLA 100 through MLA 110.