Medical Laboratory Science

Medical Laboratory Technologists conduct diagnostic tests on blood, body fluids and tissues to provide information used to detect illness and monitor health.

Students develop skills to measure chemical components in blood and body fluids, detect diseases in blood cells, perform blood typing and cross-matching for transfusions, identify infections caused by bacteria and fungi, and prepare surgical and autopsy tissues for analysis.

The final year of the program takes place in clinical laboratories with partner organizations and is arranged by the College. Students are responsible for all clinical placement costs. Placement start dates and locations are determined according to program and clinical site requirements.

Clinical placement locations may include Belleville, Brockville, Hamilton, Kingston, Kitchener, London, Ottawa, Peterborough, Toronto, Stratford and Thunder Bay.

Graduates are eligible to write the general certificate examinations of the Canadian Alliance of Medical Laboratory Professionals Regulators (CAMLPR). To practise in Ontario, graduates must meet the requirements established by the College of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Ontario (CMLTO).

[blank]

[No co-op. The final year is clinical placement and is not paid.]

Graduates may find employment in:

• Hospital laboratories
• Private laboratories
• Public health institutions
• Research laboratories
• Clinics
• Businesses and industry

The profession also provides opportunities for specialization and leadership roles.

Graduates develop skills in:

• Clinical chemistry analysis.
• Clinical hematology and identification of normal and abnormal blood cells.
• Histology and preparation of tissue samples for microscopic examination.
• Clinical microbiology, including bacteriology, mycology and virology.
• Transfusion science, blood group immunology and compatibility testing.
• Processing, interpreting and validating clinical laboratory specimens.
• Using laboratory equipment and procedures safely and accurately.
• Applying quality control and quality management practices.
• Recognizing relationships between laboratory findings and disease conditions.
• Applying critical thinking and investigative skills in clinical laboratory settings.
• Documenting and reporting laboratory results according to quality standards.
• Communicating and working effectively as part of a healthcare team.
• Demonstrating entry-level professional behaviours and competencies required of Medical Laboratory Technologists.
• Applying professional, ethical and regulatory standards in clinical practice.

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) with the majority of Grade 11 and 12 courses at the C, U or M level, including:

• Grade 12 English at the C or U level
• Grade 12 Math at the C or U level
• Grade 12 Chemistry at the C or U level (or SCH3U)
• Grade 11 or 12 Biology at the C or U level

This is a highly competitive program. To be included in the competitive ranking, applications must be complete, including all transcripts and proof of enrollment, by February 1.

Meeting the minimum entrance requirements does not guarantee admission.

For OSSD equivalency options, see Admission Requirements (https://www.stlawrencecollege.ca/apply/admission-requirements).

Highly Competitive Program Chart (https://www.stlawrencecollege.ca/apply/admission-requirements).

If prerequisite courses are missing, students may enroll in the Career/College Prep program (https://www.stlawrencecollege.ca/learn/career-college-prep).

Students with transcripts from outside Canada are directed to Applying to SLC - With Your Transcripts (https://www.stlawrencecollege.ca/apply/apply-with-your-transcript).

Health Requirements

Students must complete a Pre-Placement Health Form as a condition of laboratory classes and clinical placement.

• Required immunization and communicable disease documentation must be completed.
• Students must submit the required health documentation through Placement Pass by ParaMed.
• Students must have current CPR Level BLS and Standard First Aid certification before placement.
• A Police Record Check including Vulnerable Sector Screening is mandatory before unpaid placement.

Pre-Placement Health Form (https://364599a3-cdn.agilitycms.cloud/Attachments/programs/placement-forms-updated-2026/slc_mls_k0134_Sept2026.pdf)

Placement Pass by ParaMed (https://slc.placementpass.ca/)

ParaMed information (https://www.stlawrencecollege.ca/community/placement-agency-partners/paramed-clearance)

[Needs Fleming verification of the specific health-clearance process, forms and requirements.]

Other Requirements

• Students must have access to a reliable personal device such as a laptop or tablet for online assessments throughout the program.
• Students require access to competency-tracking applications during clinical placement.
• Students must maintain the required continuance grade of 63% in core courses.

The final year of the program consists of clinical laboratory placement and takes place over two semesters.

Students complete clinical training within partner clinical laboratories under supervision. Students develop and demonstrate entry-level competencies across clinical chemistry, hematology, histology, microbiology and transfusion science.

The College arranges clinical placements. Students may be placed anywhere in Ontario, and placement is by random draw. The program works with clinical sites to schedule student rotations and placement start dates.

Potential placement locations include Belleville, Brockville, Hamilton, Kingston, Kitchener, London, Ottawa, Peterborough, Toronto, Stratford and Thunder Bay.

Placement is unpaid and is not a co-op. Students are responsible for tuition and living costs associated with their placement location.

The program is competency-based and follows national CAMLPR standards for entry-level general Medical Laboratory Technologists.

Students complete multiple assessments throughout the program, including comprehensive examinations, practical hands-on assessments, clinical discipline examinations during placement and a pre-certification examination at the end of the program.

Students are responsible for arranging and paying for their certification examinations.

SLC states that there is no fast-track option for university students or students from other post-secondary programs. Transfer credits may be possible, but students entering in the first semester will take three years to complete the program.