Overview
Application Period: October 1, 2022 (limited seats available, apply early)
*Preference given to applicants from the Parkland region
*Preference given to applicants from the Parkland region
Start a rewarding career in health care today!
Medical laboratory assistants work in a laboratory setting directly with other health care providers and patients. Job duties include collecting health information and medical specimens from patients, entering clerical data, processing specimens, and assisting with basic laboratory activities. It’s a job that requires attention to detail, good communication and people skills and the ability to work in a high paced, professional team environment.
Dates & Times
Time: Monday to Friday
Dates: August 28, 2023 – April 24, 2024 (subject to change)
Length: 32 weeks
Location: Yorkton (Main Campus) with clinical placements in Yorkton, Melville, Regina, and/or Saskatoon
Tuition
Tuition & Course Info
Tuition: Approx. $9,747.86
Materials & Textbooks: Approx. $2,046.00
Fees: Approx. $1,500
Other: *A laptop and iPad or tablet will be required for this program
Courses
Courses
| APHY 103 Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology | You will be introduced to the study of the human body and how it functions efficiently. You will study various body systems that are of critical importance for the promotion and maintenance of health. |
| ETHC 101 Professionalism in Health Care | You will participate in an introduction to health care and health care delivery systems. Co-operative working relationships, employability skills, conflict management, critical thinking skills, communication, wellness, and stress management techniques will be emphasized throughout the course. |
| INFC 180 Infection Control and Safety | You will learn the transmission of microorganisms and blood-borne pathogens as well as how to protect yourself and others when working with patients and patient samples. |
| MICR 111 Introduction to Microbiology | You will learn the theory and skills required to prepare, culture, incubate, and stain clinical microbiology specimens. |
| MTER 180 Medical Terminology | You will learn to use the prefixes, suffixes and combining forms from which medical terms are derived. You will also learn to use medical abbreviations. |
| PROC 180 General Laboratory Practice | You will learn the theory and practice required to perform basic procedures in a medical laboratory. The course content includes laboratory solution preparation with related calculation and standard laboratory equipment such as: glassware, centrifuges, balances, pipettes, thermal equipment, and microscopes. You will continue to apply previously learned laboratory theory and skills. You will learn the theory and practice required to perform basic procedures in a medical laboratory. The course content includes laboratory solution preparation with related calculation and standard laboratory equipment such as: glassware, centrifuges, balances, pipettes, thermal equipment, and microscopes. You will continue to apply previously learned laboratory theory and skills. |
| PROC 183 Introduction to Basic Laboratory Procedures | You will receive the theory and practice required to perform basic procedures in the clinical laboratory areas of hematology and chemistry. You will demonstrate knowledge of quality management and the importance of critical thinking strategies. You will perform techniques required for erythrocyte sedimentation rate, preparing and staining peripheral smears, macroscopic urine testing, and point-of-care testing. |
| PROC 185 Laboratory Specimen Procurement | You will be introduced to the structure and function of the main medical laboratories in this course. Sample collection, handling, storage, and distribution will be covered, with an emphasis on the maintenance of specimen integrity. |
| PSYC 104 Psychology of Health and Wellness Management | In this course you will be introduced to theories of stress and holistic concepts of wellness honouring different cultural perspectives. You will use the Medicine Wheel as a tool to examine the influence of stress on physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional health. Finally, you will create a personal stress management plan with a goal of respecting the four elements of health. |
| CLIN 112 Clinical Procedures | You will participate in a supervised clinical experience. Upon successfully completing this experience, you will be prepared to perform several specific procedures in the clinical laboratory. |
| CLIN 113 HISTOLOGY & CYTOLOGY PREPARATION | You will participate in a supervised clinical experience. Upon successfully completing this experience, you will be able to assist with routine histological/cytological specimen preparation. |
| PRAC 130 Clinical Specimen Procurement and Management | You will participate in a supervised clinical experience. Upon successfully completing the experience, you will be adept at specimen procurement, data entry, receiving and distributing specimens, plus preparing specimens for analysis. |
| ECRD 180 Electrocardiography | Your studies will focus on the theoretical aspects required to perform electrocardiograms (ECGs). The course content includes recording techniques, recognizing artifacts and identifying remedies to minimize them, and recognizing basic cardiac arrhythmias. You will develop skills to perform ECGs. |
| EDUC 100 Competency Development | You will develop a study plan using learning activities and assignments to maintain and improve personal competence. A systematic review of curriculum content, the national competency profile and comprehensive practice exam questions will be used to identify specific areas for improvement. You will receive an introduction to research within health care. |
| HSTC 188 Introduction to Histology and Cytology | Your studies will help you develop skills to assist with preparation of clinical specimens for microscopic examination. The course content includes specimen receiving and processing, block preparation and basic staining. |
| IPE 100 Interprofessional Education | Upon completion of this course, you will be able to define Interprofessional Education (IPE) and practice. You will be able to describe the benefits, barriers, and enablers to IPE. You will be able to explain how IPE positively affects collaborative patient-centered care. You will participate in a variety of IPE activities that will highlight professional values and ethics, as a member of an interprofessional team. |
| SIMU 100 Practical Skills and Simulation | You will participate in activities to help prepare you for clinical experience. The course will focus on skill development in laboratory and electrocardiogram (ECG). The experience will assist you to correlate your theory to real patient and laboratory situations. You will demonstrate your ability to prioritize, organize, and implement procedures. Your ability to apply professional practice will be stressed. You will continue to apply previously learned knowledge and skills. |
| SOCI 101 Cultural and Indigenous Awareness in Health Care | You will be introduced to the sociological imagination. You will discuss the relationship between culture, colonization, and land. The sociology of science and technology will be explained. You will learn to recognize forms of oppression, diversity, and inclusion. Next you will explore the need for reconciliation and decolonization. Finally, you will develop a personal awareness plan and social action plan. |
Admission Method
First Qualified/First Admitted
The First Qualified/First Admitted (FQFA) process is used for the majority of Saskatchewan Polytechnic programs. When we determine that you meet the program’s admission requirements, you will be offered admission based on the date you fully qualify for the program. The earlier you provide the appropriate documents and information that qualify you for admission to the next intake, the earlier you might begin your studies. Your application, once qualified, is always considered for the next intake.
Applications
Application Information
- Parkland College application
- $60.00 online application fee OR $90.00 paper application fee (non-refundable)
- Applicable official high school transcripts
Career Opportunities
Medical lab assistants are in high demand at:
- Hospitals
- Health Clinics
- Medical Offices
- Research and Pharmaceutical Labs
- Veterinary Clinics
- Chiropractic and Physiotherapy Offices
- and more
Admission Requirements
- Grade 12 with a minimum grade of 70% in each of English Language Arts A30, English Language Arts B30, Foundations of Math 20 or Foundations of Math 30 or Pre-Calculus 30*, Health Science 20 or Biology 30*, and Physical Science 20 or Chemistry 30*
- Current Standard Criminal record check.
- English Language Requirement. Please refer to the Saskatchewan Polytechnic website for full details.
- 35 words per minute keyboarding speed with 95% accuracy (5-minute testing report to be submitted with transcripts); Testing is available through Saskatchewan Polytechnic Testing Services. A completed Keyboarding Test Results Form must be submitted to Registration Services.
- Non-refundable application fee: $60.00 (online) OR $90.00 (paper).
- Criminal Record Check: Criminal record checks are required and must include a vulnerable sector check. It is at the discretion of the health region whether a student with a criminal record will be allowed to participate in clinical components. All costs associated with the criminal record check are the responsibility of the student. Criminal record checks must be dated July 1 or later of the current program year.
- Immunization Record: Current immunization information must be submitted prior to the clinical portion of the program starting. You may require further immunization. All costs associated with vaccines are the responsibility of the student.
- Accepted applicants are required to provide evidence of current N95 and canister respirator mask testing prior to start of clinical practicums as directed by the program. N95 and canister respirator mask testing is valid for two (2) years from the date of completion. Retesting may be required during your studies. The cost of N95 and canister respirator mask testing is your responsibility.
- Accepted applicants are required to provide evidence of 2015 WHMIS Globally Harmonized System (GHS) certification upon admission into the program. Recertification will be required every three years to remain current. The cost of WHMIS certification is your responsibility.
- Accepted applicants will be required to provide evidence of Transferring Lifting Repositioning (TLR®) Object Moving certification or Safe Moving and Repositioning Techniques (SMART®) certification upon admission to the program. TLR® or SMART® certification is valid for three (3) years from the date of completion. Recertification may be required during your studies. The cost of TLR® or SMART® certification is your responsibility.
- Students are responsible for their own transportation during clinical. A driver’s licence and vehicle are strongly recommended.