Becoming a Medical Laboratory Technologist

Here's your path to becoming a medical laboratory technologist:

High school diploma - with an emphasis on biology, computer science, chemistry and math.

Post-secondary studies in medical laboratory science - usually a two or three year accredited training program at the community college or university level. Program lengths and specific prerequisites to apply vary, so please check with the specific educational institution you're interested in attending. MLT programs include courses in clinical chemistry, clinical microbiology, hematology, histotechnology and transfusion science. Most provinces have separate, specialized programs in cytotechnology and there are programs in clinical genetics in British Columbia and Ontario.

Professional certification - once you've graduated from your post-secondary training, you'll need to write exams in order to be certified by the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS). Our certification is recognized across Canada.

Is life in the lab for you? You should be:

Curious - you want to know why things are they way they are

Fascinated - by science and the way the human body works

Process-oriented - you understand the importance of following certain steps to arrive at a conclusion

Accurate - you are careful and pay attention to details in your work

Self-sufficient - you can rely on yourself to get a job done

Career Path

As an MLT, you can live and work virtually anywhere
in Canada. Unlike some professions, there is a need for medical laboratory technologists in both big cities and smaller communities.

Most medical laboratory technologists work in hospitals, but jobs are also available in:

private laboratories
community health clinics
public health facilities
university research labs
biotechnology companies
specialty labs, e.g. in vitro fertilization labs

In each of these work settings, management positions are available. Some MLTs go into teaching and train the "next generation" of medical laboratory technologists. Others become very involved in research and contribute to the worldwide advancement of medical and scientific knowledge.

Salaries for MLTs vary, but are comparable to other allied health care professions. There is a huge demand right now for medical laboratory technologists, and it will only increase due to the number of retiring MLTs. Job prospects are excellent. Click here to visit Government of Canada's Job Futures for more information on salaries and employment forecasts.