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Does working in a hospital, laboratory or doctor’s office inspire you? Join this EQual™ accredited program and learn the fundamentals for various clinical laboratory testing procedures in our state-of-the-art laboratory.
Downtown
Hamilton
Mississauga
North York
As a Medical Laboratory Technician, you will perform laboratory procedures such as preparing specimens for testing, preparing culture media and stock solutions, and recognizing problems and errors in lab procedures. You will be responsible for drawing blood, as well as logging patient samples and preparing them for testing. All while using automated equipment and computerized instruments capable of performing several tests simultaneously, as well as microscopes, cell counters, and other sophisticated laboratory equipment.
*Please note – program content and practicum duration is as per registration with the Ministry and may vary slightly from campus to campus. Downtown Bloor Campus is accredited by Health Standards Organization (HSO) and its affiliate Accreditation Canada EQual™ accreditation. North York campus is accredited for the Medical Laboratory Technician Program from the Health Standards Organization (HSO) and its affiliate accreditation (AC) through their new EQUAL Canada program. Contact us for more information.
The fun, online quiz takes 3 minutes to complete and you’ll get a personalized report. Identify your strengths and social style plus the training and positions you’re best suited for. Get your Medical Professional Career Discovery Quiz score now!
The program is 50 weeks including a 2-week Experiential Learning Simulation course, and a 4-week practicum with on-the-job training, which will take place offsite with potential employers. It provides you with a foundation of skills and experience, both in classroom learning with industry experts and in the ability to apply that knowledge to real-life, practical activities. Whether new to Canada and looking to expand your experience, trained in healthcare and wanting to specialize, or wanting a new profession and fascinated by where this diploma can take your future, this program is second-to-none.
We pride ourselves on providing exceptional programs to our students across the board, but we’re particularly thrilled to say that our Medical Laboratory Technician program has a *6-year EQual™ accreditation. It meets rigorous national standards and represents a significant achievement, reflecting the quality of our program’s development, delivery and practical training. We also encourage our students to earn both the national and provincial certifications with Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) & Medical Laboratory Professionals’ Association of Ontario (MLPAO) as these are often required by employers.
The program consists of theory, practical skills, and practicum components which have been mapped to the CSMLS & MLPAO (formerly OSMT) Competency Profile for the Medical Laboratory Assistant Technicians. Upon successful completion, you will receive an Anderson College Diploma which will allow you to sit the CSMLS/MLPAO Exams. The costs associated to these exams will be the responsibility of the applicant. Please visit the CSMLS and MLPAO websites for more information with regards to the certification exams.
The CSMLS certification exam must be undertaken within 12 months of graduation. The designation of Certified MLA/T will be granted upon the successful completion of this examination. The provincial MLPAO certification examination is offered 3 times a year. The designation of MLA/T will be granted upon the successful completion of this examination.
MLPAO exam certification exam costs and information can be found here.
CSMLS exam certification exam costs and information can be found here.
Students must submit a Vulnerable Police Check of Criminal Record and Immunization Report within 30 days of starting the program.
Students must attain a grade of 70% or better in each course to progress through the program. To qualify for graduation, students must pass all courses with a minimum grade of 70% or better and complete all course requirements including practicum within the prescribed timelines.
General Courses
This course focuses on strategies for increasing student success in college and life. The course explores methods for choosing and developing effective academic, self-awareness and self-management strategies. Students will learn how to become an integral part of the college community and maximize their learning capacities. They will know how to use college resources and build relationships with fellow students and instructors. The course also emphasizes understanding of human interdependence, diverse cultures, values and perspectives of the college community.
This course will provide students with the ability to understand the basic components of the computer, how the operating system works, tips and techniques to search and locate information on the internet. In addition, students will learn proper keyboarding techniques to improve their speed and accuracy. In addition, this course teaches students how MS Outlook is structured, and how to use the various modules to coordinate communications and collaborations with others.
The course designed to enable the student to recognize and avoid hazards within his/her environment; to intelligently assist in case of accident or illness; to develop skills necessary for immediate and temporary care of a victim. First Adi and CPR Certification will be offered. Students will be provided training in various safety procedures.
To enter the competitive business world, students must be ready to present themselves to employers in professional manner. This involves submission of resumes and cover letters and attending interviews.
This course prepares students to write winning resumes and cover letters. It also helps students to develop interview skills they need for successful performance during the interview to secure the job.
TERM 1
This course will serve as the foundation of professionalism for students entering the Medical Laboratory Technician field. The Standards of Practice as outlined by the MLPAO and the CSMLS will give students an understanding of what is expected of them as Medical Laboratory Technician professionals. The students will also learn about the various legislation, Federal, Provincial, and Municipal that govern the profession and how to apply it to their work.
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the basic prefixes, root words, and suffixes that form medical words. They will learn about the various organ systems that make up the human body and how they work in both healthy and diseased states as they relate to the field of Medical Laboratory Technician.
Prerequisite: ETHIC
Safety in the laboratory is of paramount importance, and this course will outline safe work practices that the students will carry with them through the rest of the program. In addition, they will learn about the fundamentals of the clinical laboratory including the safe use and handling of equipment. They will learn about glassware, chemicals, and other materials used in the lab. They will learn about the structure of the lab, the various departments and the specimens each department will handle. This course will also introduce students to phlebotomy and how to perform the skills in an educated way.
Prerequisite: APMT
The purpose of this course is to teach students the various pre-analytical skills they will need to become a Medical Laboratory Technician. The skills they learn in this course will correspond with the theory classes they are taking. They will learn how to properly perform phlebotomy and continue to work on that skill throughout the program. They will learn the skills needed in Hematology, Clinical Chemistry, Quality Assurance, Urinalysis, Microbiology, and Cytology and Histology. This course will run concurrently with theory courses. The integration of the competency guidelines for the Medical Laboratory Professionals’ Association Ontario (MLPAO) and the Canadian Society of Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) will be applied throughout the course.
Prerequisite: LSSP
Hematology is one of the busiest departments in the laboratory. Students will learn about blood, the various components, and what each component does for the body. Students will gain an understanding of the many tests that are completed in hematology and how to collect specimens for them. They will learn how to perform the pre-analytical functions such as preparing blood smears, staining, setting up ESRs, and many other procedures.
Prerequisite: LSSP
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the cardiovascular system and electrocardiography. Students will learn about the heart and the circulation of blood through the body. In addition, they will learn how to monitor vital signs and recognize reportable values. They will also learn about the conduction system and the electrical activity of the heart. This course will teach students to perform ECGs and understand the importance of accurate, artifact-free recordings. They will learn to recognize artifact, correct for it and recognize emergency situations.
Prerequisite: HEMA
The purpose of the Midterm Examination is to test the knowledge and expertise of each student in the Medical Laboratory Technician program. The exam covers the different courses of the first term and provides a measurement of how well the students have integrated the material.
Prerequisite: CECG
TERM 2
This course will provide students with the mathematical skills required to prepare solutions and to read and record laboratory results. Students will also learn about quality assurance programs and how to monitor quality control tests and results in the laboratory. They will learn their roles and contributions to quality assurance and the various components of such a program.
Prerequisite: MIDE
This course is intended to give students an understanding of the chemistry in the body and the various tests used to determine whether disease is present. Common chemistry tests will be outlined, and they will learn about the profiles used to determine if an organ system is not functioning properly. In addition, they will learn about the special collection and handling requirements for the tests collected.
Prerequisite: MIDE
This course will outline the purpose of performing urinalysis testing. Students will gain an understanding of how urinalysis can detect disease and what each test on the reagent test strip is analyzing. In addition, students will learn how other body fluids are collected, handled, stored and why they are tested. This includes specimens such as amniotic fluid, pleural fluid, cerebrospinal fluid, synovial fluid, and more.
Prerequisites: MATH, CHEM
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the various types of microorganisms that exist, how to collect sterile specimens, and how to protect themselves in the workplace. They will be taught how to collect blood cultures and how to handle other specimens collected by other health care professionals. In addition, they will learn the various techniques used to identify the microorganisms present including inoculating agar plates and preparing and staining smears for examination by a technologist.
Prerequisite: URINE
This course will give students an understanding of the types of specimens collected for cytology and how to prepare and stain specimens. They will also learn about tissue preparation for examination by a pathologist. The various reagents and chemicals used in these departments required special handling and they will learn about the safe use and storage of these chemicals. The PAP stain will be explained as well as the many steps involved in performing the stain.
Prerequisite: MICRO
The purpose of the Final Comprehensive Examination is to test the knowledge and expertise of each student. The exam covers the different courses beginning with Term I, up to including the end of Term II. These exams provide a measurement of how well the students have integrated the material taught and how well their skills in the laboratory have developed.
Prerequisite: HISTO
TERM 3
The Experiential Learning Simulation (ELS) is designed to provide students experiential opportunities to consolidate learning and advance their skills in a variety of simulated settings. During the ELS, students will be able to refine their skills and develop confidence through the repetition of basic procedures. Students also develop analytical skills by researching answers for assessment, performing practical examinations to test your technical competency, and completing written simulated assessment.
Prerequisite: FIEX
The purpose of the Practicum is to allow students to continue to practice their skills in an actual work setting. They will learn first-hand how to deal with real-life situations and gain experience within the field. By training within the clinical setting, students will gain an understanding of how to react or act proactively within different situations. They will gain knowledge and practical experience to help develop their understanding of employer expectations. Students will be given the opportunity to become proficient at specimen handling and be able to function as a member of a laboratory team. The Practicum is to be completed in clinical settings, public laboratories and private laboratories outside of the school.
Prerequisite: FIEX
Medical Laboratory Technician Diploma Program tuition fees (in CAD) for Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents.
Tuition: $13,170
Books (est): $1,270
Other Fees: $2,165
Total: $ 16, 605
Students are required to pay for their vulnerable criminal records check, fees associated with practicum (transportation, parking, lunch), costs for immunization. Financial assistance is available to students who qualify. For assistance, please contact Anderson College.
Duration 50 Weeks
Clinical Placement 4 Weeks
Program Type Diploma
Contact us to talk with one of our Admissions Experts. We’ll walk you through the details of what you’ll need and how to apply, the details of the program curriculum and the next steps to get you on your way to your first, or next, successful career.
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I came to Canada trained abroad but struggling to survive and working jobs day and night because of my family’s financial needs. One day I visited Anderson College, and I’m proud to say, it changed my life and gave me a new perspective. I was warmly received … and realized it’s an advantage to train for a profession with a highly reputable organization in the health sector. After successfully completing the course, I earned The Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science certification. (CSMLS) … I give my gratitude to Anderson College. They helped me prepare for those exams and now I am a qualified candidate for a job in an honorable profession
“My teaching is focused on empowering our students with three sets of fundamentals: competency, integrity and respect. I am proud to go the extra mile to ensure my students receive the education they need to succeed as future Medical Laboratory Professionals.”
Dr. Ragheb has been practicing medical laboratory sciences for more than 25 years, and is conducting diagnostic research that links inflammation with diabetes and other metabolic disorders. He has received a number of national and international awards for his work. Dr. Ragheb has played a critical role in the development of Anderson College’s annual Scientific Day, an educational and networking industry event for Anderson students.
Dr. Rafik Ragheb served as a Council Member for the CMLTO’s Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee (ICRC). He also holds his status with the Ministry of Health as a Medical Laboratory Director (Ontario Regulation 682, section 6 (1) class of Biochemistry) and is a member of the Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists and the American Association for Clinical Chemistry.
“Teaching is an art, because you have to put your heart and honesty into it; you have to work hard. My passion is teaching. Since receiving my diploma, my priority has been changing students’ lives, preparing them to serve people in need and to lead successful futures.”
Bardhyl has been a college instructor for over a decade, with his teaching practice informed by his practical skills gained working as an Independent Medical Examiner.
Since earning his MLA/T Diploma, Bardhyl has been a member of the Medical Laboratory Professionals' Association of Ontario and the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science. He is also a certified First Aid and CPR Instructor with St. John Ambulance in Mississauga, Ontario.
“I absolutely love instructing my students, including the challenges of getting to know my individual students and learning what I can do to help them succeed. I come to work every day knowing that I will be part of the accomplishments of my students and I couldn’t be more excited for that.” – Debbie
Debbie Mayers spent 7 years working as an MLA/T, developing a solid foundation of accuracy and practical experience in the field. She also honed her teaching and learning strategy skills for several years prior to joining the Anderson team, having worked as an Educational Assistant, private tutor, and as an Acquired Brain Injuries Rehabilitation Therapist.
Qualifications: MLPAO MLA/T Certificate, Educational Assistant Diploma – Mohawk College
“Taking a student, who may have no prior medical knowledge, through the Medical Laboratory Assistants/Technician program and watching them develop the skills required to collect blood and perform other laboratory tests is extremely rewarding. As an instructor I have the privilege of assisting students in attaining their career goals.”
Lorraine has spent over three decades working as a Registered Medical Laboratory Technologist, including over 10 years managing an active medical laboratory. Most recently, she has spent 13 years instructing and training Medical Laboratory Assistants/Technicians at the college level.
Lorraine’s qualifications include those as a Registered Technologist, an Advanced Medical Technologist, Microbiology. She successfully completed Mohawk College’s Management Certificate Program and is an active member of the College of Medical Technologists of Ontario, the Medical Laboratory Professional Association of Ontario, and the Canadian Society of Medical Laboratory Science.
“Teaching is my passion because it means I get to spend my career cultivating a love of learning in my students. As an instructor you are leaving a lasting legacy on the world by providing love and support to your students, giving them the tools they need to live happy and productive lives.”
Orlando has been working as an instructor for the MLAT program for more than 5 years, prior to which he worked in the field as a Research Laboratory Technician. He is also a Phlebotomy and ECG Workshop Facilitator.
Orlando graduated as valedictorian from his Medical Laboratory Technician Diploma program and is registered with the Medical Laboratory Professionals’ Association of Ontario (MLPAO).
“I enjoy engaging and motivating Anderson students to learn and understand difficult concepts, obtain new skills, techniques and grow professionally. It is my goal to continue to combine my range of scientific experience with my ability to be passionate, enthusiastic and most importantly a Great Teacher!”
Julio C. Lara has many years of clinical practice as a registered medical laboratory technologist in both the public and private healthcare sectors. Previously, he was actively involved in the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) accreditation process.
Julio is a medical laboratory technologist registered with the College of Medical Laboratory Technologist of Ontario (CMLTO), the Canadian Society of Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS), and the Medical Laboratory Professionals’ Association of Ontario (MLPAO). He completed the medical laboratory sciences program at the Michener Institute for Applied Health Sciences in Toronto, Ontario.
“As a former immigrant, I know how hard starting a new career can be. My main career goal is to help my students be successful and independent. I am passionate about teaching because I’m rich with experience in my field and I want to share my knowledge with other people.”
Rita has two decades’ experience working as a Medical Laboratory Technologist, starting her career in the United Arab Emirates, where she also began her teaching career. After moving to Canada, Rita spent more than 10 years working as a Medical Laboratory Technologist in a hospital setting.
Rita gained her Medical Laboratory Technology Diploma from the Michener Institute of Technology, and is also a member of multiple professional associations, including the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science, the Medical Laboratory Professionals’ Association of Ontario (formerly OSMT), and the College of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Ontario.
“My passion to teach and share my knowledge is what makes me a better teacher every day. To understand students’ varying needs, a teacher needs to be patient, a good listener, and easy adaptable – traits which I aim to embody in my teaching practice.”
Simona has worked in the medical laboratory field for more than 25 years, giving her vast experience in the industry. Simona began her career as a medical technologist, specializing in hematology, biochemistry, and urinalysis, and has been teaching since 2003.
Simona has a Medical Laboratory Technician Diploma, and is certified by the Medical Laboratory Professionals’ Association of Ontario. Simona ensures she stays abreast of the constant changes in the medical industry by attending seminars and completing continuing education courses, obtaining certificates in Instructing Adults, as a Clinical Educator, and completing an ECG interpretation course, among others.
"When it comes to teaching, I believe it is about developing strong relationships that tap into students’ passions and provide relevancy to students that allow them to make connections with the curriculum. It makes me feel so happy and proud when I see my students succeed towards their goals in the field of Medical Laboratory. "
With more than 10 years of experience in the Healthcare, Nanji started his career as a Physician in India, where he worked at multiple hospitals. Having extensive knowledge in the medical subjects, he can explain all the concepts in simple terms. He is always focused on making sure that students truly understand the material, rather than just lecturing and hoping it will compute.
Nanji is an International Medical Graduate. He obtained his M.B.B.S from India before going on to achieve his Post Graduation in General Medicine from University of Buckingham, UK.
Nanji also has a Medical Laboratory Technician Diploma and is certified by the Medical Laboratory Professionals’ Association of Ontario (MLPAO) and Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Sciences (CSMLS). He is associated with multiple Laboratories and Clinics which helps to keep him abreast of the constant changes in the Medical Laboratory field.
“I retired from the Hospital Laboratory after 36 years on the bench to pursue my other passions. Teaching is one of those other passions. I love being able to spend time with and mold the next generation of Laboratory Professionals. Nothing makes me happier than seeing a student succeed in class and then succeed in their chosen career. Putting them on that career path makes me very proud to be an instructor.”
Helen has earned her MLT at Mohawk College of Applied Arts and Technology. She is CPR certified and an active member of the College of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Ontario (CMLTO), as well as The Canadian Society of Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) and The Medical Laboratory Professionals of Ontario (MLPAO). She has years of experience teaching the Laboratory skill set. She has taught Medical Students, Nurses and Future Laboratory Personnel since 1989. She has been the Lead Medical Laboratory Instructor since October 2020, incorporating various teaching strategies in order to make her students successful in their chosen field.
Helen received her MLT Diploma from Mohawk College of Applied Arts and Technology. She also holds a BSc in Genetics from Waterloo University. Helen is also the Director of Women’s Development for the National Slo-Pitch Association of Canada.
“To me, teaching is not just about providing students with the knowledge and skills to succeed, it is also about inspiring our next generation and leaders of tomorrow to take our world to a better place. With each step, I aim to elevate my students to achieve that goal.”
Naseem has over a decade’s worth of experience as a Medical Lab Assistant/Technician working with many healthcare organizations, research facilities, labs/hospital, and customer service experience. She has excellent phlebotomy skills among others such as clinical procedures and lab management. Naseem also earned numerous laboratory certifications to grow her skillset and credentials. With her experience, passion for medical practices/knowledge, and strong desire to share her learnings over the years, Naseem found the best outcome to be the intersection of the education and healthcare sectors by teaching at Anderson College.
Naseem has extensive experience as a Medical Laboratory Technician and graduated with distinction from a Canadian College to receive a Medical Lab Technician diploma. She is OSMT certified from the Medical Laboratory Professionals Association of Ontario with which she is a registered member and has a bachelor’s degree in Sociology.
“I understand the importance of creating a challenging, fun, and effective learning environment for students. As an instructor, I want to utilize the experience that I have gained as a medical lab technician to provide my students with the technical skills for a successful career. By putting effort, commitment, passion, and enthusiasm into my teaching, I provide the support students need to reach their full potential.”
Samar is CSMLS and MLPAO certified member with over 4 years of experience in the medical laboratory field specializing in Microbiology, ECG and Phlebotomy. Samar worked as medical lab assistant at Pharma Medica Research Inc before joining the Anderson College teaching force in 2021 as MLT/A instructor.
Samar received her BSc in Science with honors from Egypt before going on to achieve a diploma in Medical Laboratory Technician from Anderson College.
“I love teaching at Anderson College because of the organized curriculum, well-equipped laboratories, high level of education, and community involvement. Graduates of Anderson College, like myself, receive strong training both on theory and practical, and are confident in our knowledge and skills as a medical professional.”
As an Anderson College graduate, Tonmoy began his career working as a Sterilization Technician at an Endoscopy centre, which strengthened his knowledge and skills, specifically on disinfection and sterilization. Tonmoy is a foreign-trained medical graduate specializing in Pathology and has experience working in hospitals as well as training undergraduate medical students overseas for over three years. He has been working as an educator for the Medical Laboratory Technician program since January 2019 supporting instructors, teaching students on laboratory skill competencies and is a proud mentor as well.
Tonmoy is a certified Medical Laboratory Technician with the Canadian Society of Medical Laboratory Technologists and the Medical Laboratory Professional Association of Ontario. He is also a certified Medical Device Reprocessing Technician. As a foreign-trained Medical Doctor, he is holding a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery diploma with an M. Phil degree in Pathology from Bangladesh.
“Education has a great impact and can change the world. I strongly believe that my role as an instructor is to nurture and encourage the students to learn effectively. Through hands-on training, interactive learning tools and group discussions, I help them be successful in achieving goals in their profession.”
Sukhpreet has earned his Diploma in medical laboratory in 2014. He is an active member and certified by the Medical Laboratory Professionals Association of Ontario. His special interest in clinical Microbiology had him involved in various research projects. He has over 15 years of clinical and teaching experience in Canada and India. He follows an advance and modern teaching methodology which encourages students to learn more about the subject through assignments and discussion sessions. Moreover, he has a strong ability to understand the needs of students with innovative ideas and approaches to interaction and with excellent interpersonal skills. In addition to being a classroom instructor, Sukhpreet teaches them practical laboratory training with clinical specimens focused on lab diagnosis of different kinds of diseases.
Sukhpreet received his diploma from Algonquin career academy, Mississauga. He is also holding a master’s degree in applied microbiology from India. He trained in molecular and advanced techniques for the diagnosis of infectious diseases, especially tuberculosis.
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