Medical Laboratory Assistant
NEW PROGRAM
Contact:
Warren Elgersma
Chairperson
Program Information
E-mail: inquire@rdc.ab.ca
Phone: 403.342.3400 OR 1.888.732.4630
23-week Certificate 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 program uses the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) Medical Lab Assistant curriculum. 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 and Edmonton.
All students are expected to travel to clinical agencies throughout Central Alberta Health Services Region for the clinical practicum. Travel to Edmonton practicum sites is a strong possibility to ensure students have access to clinical experiences. 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.
Related Careers
There is a high demand for Medical Lab Assistant in Central Alberta, as well as in other areas provincially and interprovincially. Medical Laboratory Assistants find employment in hospitals, community health centers, and public or private clinical laboratories.
Admission Requirements
1. Minimum average of 60% and no mark below 50% in: English 30-1 or 30-2, Chemistry 20, Biology 20, Mathematics 10C or Mathematics 20-2
2. Keyboarding skills (minimum 30 words per minute with 90% accuracy)
3. Basic computer literacy exam
Additional Requirements:
4. A completed Career Investigation report that documents a visit or job shadow in a clinical laboratory or blood collection site
International Applicants:
As English is the language of instruction in all programs at RDC, you must have an adequate knowledge of written and spoken English as a prerequisite for admission. Regardless of your country of origin or citizenship status, you must demonstrate English-language proficiency prior to being accepted and have a valid Study Permit.
The College will accept as proof:
a) A minimum TOEFL score of: 550 paper based or 213 computer based or 80 internet based.
OR
b) A minimum grade of 60% in ELA 30-1
OR
c) IELTS – accept minimum score of 6.5 overall, with at least 5.5 on each band score.
d) CAEL – accept minimum score of 60 overall, with at least 60 on each band score.
e) MELAB – accept minimum score of 85 overall, with at least 80 on each band score.
Foreign credentials may require evaluation by the International Qualification Assessment Services (IQAS) branch of Alberta Labour. Please call the IQAS at 780.427.2655 for more information.
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.
Criminal Record Check
While not an admission requirement for the program, applicants are advised that they will be required to provide a Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Check to most agencies where they will be placed for practicum experiences. The existence of 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 criminal record check.
Program Content
Year 1 Oct-April (irregular term)
MLA 105 Infection Control and Safety
MLA 104 Medical Terminology
MLA 100 Professional Relations
MLA 101 Basic Electrocardiography
MLA 102 Quality Management
MLA 103 Basic Anatomy and Physiology
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
Graduation Requirements
You must pass all required courses including Clinical Practicum.
Program Cost Estimates