Overview

Medical Laboratory Technologists (MLT) are health specialists who collect, analyze and interpret various samples for research. MLTs can detect illnesses and other information for doctors to inform or diagnose patients. Many MLTs work privately or through public health services, indirectly from seeing patients.

Various settings for MLTs include private research clinics, pharmaceutical organizations, corporate medical bodies and hospitals. An Internationally Educated Medical Laboratory Technologist (IEMLT) typically comes with prior experience and a background in analyzing organic specimens/samples.

Regulation

The Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) are the main governing body for MLTs in both Ontario and Alberta. All MLTs and IEMLTs in Canada are required by law to be certified and licensed with the CSMLS to work.

This Pathway

Internationally Educated Health Professionals (IEHPs) will need to obtain a certification from CSMLS to practice as an MLT anywhere in Canada.

IEHPs/IEMLTs would need to take the CSMLS' Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) to check their qualifications. After passing the PLA, applicants will be allowed to take its official CSMLS Certification Exam.

Licensed MLTs are also encouraged to apply for a provincial license with the College of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Ontario (CMLTO) for added benefits, affiliation and representation.

Work Now!

Applicants studying towards their CSMLS exam/certification can still work in a laboratory role in Ontario.

Please note that Technologists differ from Technicians and internationally educated MLAs or technicians cannot apply for the Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) - until after 12 months of Canadian work experience.

Unregulated roles are entry-level to intermediate jobs that do not require regulation in their respective field. Roles in the MLT category include Medical Laboratory Assistants, Laboratory Technologists or Laboratory Coordinators with administrative duties. Most MLAs and technicians are supervised by a certified MLT.

View our Interactive Road Map for everything you need to know about becoming an MLT in Ontario!

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(Mobile) Alberta Medical Radiation Technologist (1)

How Achēv will help

The step-by-step incentives

International Educated Healthcare Professionals (IEHPs) will work with the Employment Pathways in Canada-Health Care (EPIC-HC’s) team of Career Counselors and Employer Liaison to find unregulated roles in the MLT field while studying for licensing. They will have access to the following services:

2-week Employment & Essential Skills training

Resume- Cover Letter- Interview preparation
Networking Techniques
Pathways to licensure planning & supports
Relocation planning & supports
Labour Market Information
Training on Adaptability, Initiative and Teamwork
Workplace Culture & Intercultural Communication
Employment Rights in Ontario and Alberta
Employer Connections in rural areas of Ontario and Alberta

Internationally Educated Healthcare Professionals (IEHPs) can also use other Achēv in-house services, such as the Newcomer Information Centre, the Accelerated Career Advancement Program (ACA), and language services, such as the CLB Online Self-Assessment (CLB-OSA) at no cost.

The Newcomer Information Centre (NIC) is a great place to start if you have recently arrived in Canada. The NIC offers a wide range of immigrant services to help newcomers settle smoothly in Canada; they provide information and referrals on education and training, immigration, health, housing, legal, financial, social, and recreational needs of newcomers.

The Accelerating Career Advancement (ACA) program provides financial loans to internationally trained individuals looking to return to their chosen profession. Receive free ongoing one-on-one financial counseling.

Internationally Educated Healthcare Professionals (IEHPs) can access its CLB Online Self-Assessment (CLB-OSA) at no additional cost to test their proficiency before taking the official CLB exam. The tool serves as a handy practice ahead of enhancing language skills with additional Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) home study training.

Financial Aid

Achēv's very own lending program: Accelerating Career Advancement (ACA) - Achēv can grant IEMLTs up to $30,000 in micro loans over a five year repayment to add relief for expenses including IEMLT study material, equipment, and living expenses in Ontario.

Funded by the Government of Canada, Achēv’s Accelerating Career Advancement (ACA) program provides financial loans, accreditation support, and career counselling to Internationally Trained Individuals (ITIs) who are looking to return to their chosen profession.

You can learn more about their services here.

Language Proficiency Support

Achēv and EPIC Health Care (EPIC-HC) provides clients additional tools to exceed in their language proficiency requirements. The Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) is the national standard of grading English as a Second Language (ESL).

Clients with EPIC-HC connecting to various pathways will be required to meet CLB Level 7 to pass most language related requirements.

Clients can access its CLB Online Self-Assessment (CLB-OSA) at no additional cost to test their proficiency prior to taking the official CLB exam. The tool serves as a handy practice ahead of enhancing language skills with additional Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) home study training.

Settlement Info

The step-by-step incentives

Internationally Educated Medical Laboratory Technologists will have an opportunity to work across rural Ontario while exploring recreation, nature and community beyond the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

The EPIC-HC program covers a variety of targeted communities in need of Lab technicians, pharmacists and nurses to address a growing concern for healthcare workers.

Achev's ACA program will also provide loan supports for IEHPs embarking on their professional journeys across the province with partnering employers in healthcare.