32120 – Medical laboratory technologists
32120 – Medical laboratory technologists
Medical laboratory technologists conduct medical laboratory tests, experiments and analyses to assist in the diagnosis, treatment, monitoring and prevention of disease. They are employed in medical laboratories in hospitals, blood banks, community and private clinics, research facilities and post-secondary educational institutions. Medical laboratory technologists who are supervisors are included in this unit group.
Profile
Index of titles
Advanced registered medical laboratory technologist
Anatomical pathology technologist
Autopsy technologist
Blood bank technologist
Clinical genetics technologist
Clinical laboratory technologist
Combined laboratory and x-ray technician
Combined laboratory and x-ray technologist
Cytogenetics technologist - medical laboratory
Cytology technologist
Electron microscopy technologist - medical laboratory
Hematology technologist - medical laboratory
Histology technologist
Histology technologist - medical laboratory
Histopathology technologist
Histotechnologist - medical laboratory
Immunology technologist - medical laboratory
Medical laboratory biochemistry technologist
Medical laboratory charge technologist
Medical laboratory cytotechnologist
Medical laboratory microbiology technologist
Medical laboratory technologist
Medical laboratory technologist - anatomical pathology
Medical laboratory technologist – core laboratory
Medical laboratory technologists supervisor
Medical laboratory tissue technologist
Medical technologist
Medical technologist - medical laboratory
Medical technologists supervisor
Registered medical technologist
Registered technologist - medical
Serology technologist
Main duties
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Set up, operate and maintain laboratory equipment
Conduct and interpret chemical analyses of blood, urine, and cerebrospinal and other body fluids
Study blood cells and other tissues to determine their relation to various physiological and pathological conditions
Prepare tissue sections for microscopic examinations using techniques to demonstrate special cellular tissue elements or other characteristics
Perform and interpret blood group, type and compatibility tests for transfusion purposes
Validate, document and report test results
Establish procedures for the analysis of specimens and for medical laboratory experiments
Conduct quality control assessment of testing techniques
May supervise and train other medical laboratory technical staff, students and helpers
May assist pathologists during autopsies.
Employment requirements
A two- or three-year college program in medical laboratory technology is required and a period of supervised practical training may be required.
Registration with a regulatory body is required in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta.
Certification by the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science is usually required by employers.
Combined laboratory and X-ray technicians require completion of a combined laboratory X-ray technology program.
Some employers may require a university science degree for specialized medical laboratory technologists.
Additional information
In Quebec medical laboratory technologists are referred to as les technologistes médicaux and are regulated by L’Ordre professionnel des technologistes médicaux du Québec (L’OPTMQ).
Medical laboratory technologists may specialize in areas such as clinical chemistry, clinical microbiology, hematology, histotechnology, transfusion medicine or immunohematology, cytotechnology, cytogenetics and molecular genetics.
Exclusions
Biological technologists and technicians (22110)
Chemical technologists and technicians (22100)
Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations (33101)
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