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Krista

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So I noticed you have a BSc in microbiology, and now you are doing the medical lab tech course at Michener. Is it worth getting the BSc beforehand, or is it okay to just get the college diploma?

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Krista
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I am glad I got my B.Sc first because it really helped me to understand the course material. I would say you don't need a B.Sc but I would recommend taking some university courses to prepare you for the program because it is very heavy.
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Latest answers from Krista

Hi Krista! I saw this program at fanshawe college called "Chemical Laboratory Technology- Science Laboratory" in London, ON my hometown and although it is not medical science laboratory program, it seems really similar and wonder if I can still do this program and become and MLT with the program?

No you have to go through an MLT program.

Hi Krista. I have graduated from a two-year lab course (bioscience technology) in Canada but am running into a bit of a lag in finding jobs in my province. I'm beginning an MLA program shortly. With experience as MLA, do you think I could challenge the MLT exam in a couple years?

Unfortunately no. You have to go through a MLT program to write the exam. There is no other way.

Hello, Krista! What your doing is so helpful, thank you so much. I was just wondering if the only disciplines included in the exam are clinical chemistry, microbiology, hematology, histotechnology, and transfusion science? So Clinical Microscopy and Immuno-Sero are not included?

Those would be included under various branches (Ie. Urine microscopy is in Chem and Diffs in Hematology). Immuno-Sero would be in Clinical Chem and Microbiology

Hello Krista! Does the CSMLS exam consist of 5 areas only (Blood Bank, Hema, Clinical Chemistry, Histotech, and Micro)? Thank you.

Those are the core areas but there is also Safety, Professionalism, QC etc. Check the exam blueprint on the CSMLS website.

Hey thanks so much for your blog about medlab at michener its been a huge help! just had a quick ques. about program is the clinical chem class comparable to what uni intro chem is like or much easier @ michener? and after grad how many of your peers secured a job be it casual or FT?

It's very different from University Chemistry. Much more applied and more in terms of how it works within the body.
Also I think everyone had some sort of job after graduation.

also when doing placements did michener have you situated at just one hospital for the entire 6 months or were you placed at diff. hospitals and also were placements based strictly on grades or was it lottery system how did you guys select which hospital you wanted to do your placement at? Thanks:)

Placements were lottery system based on what was made available for that year. They try to place you at just one lab but sometimes it's not possible with what they have available. I was at Gamma Dynacare and The Ottawa Hospital.

Hello Krista! I just wanted to ask how it is being a practicing MLS in Canada? Like is it being a generalist or a specialist in one area?

I'm not super familiar with all the US terms but we are trained in 5 disciplines and can practice in all. You don't really become a "generalist" or "specialist" except through training. Most labs you are hired to work in a certain department if the lab is big enough (which most are) or you are in core lab (Chem, Heme and Transfusion usually)

Do you need to have a Strong background in math?

Definitely need to have some math abilities to calculate out some formulas but don't need calculus or anything :)

Hi Krista! Do you remember what high school average most of your classmates had to get into Michener for MLT? I am worried my high school average of 79% wont be competitive enough. I'm in the process of completing my BSc at UofT. Also would they mind if I upgraded my high school marks?

You should definitely upgrade your highschool marks. I think you can do it for free/cheap through SLC.org but I would say most of my class had at least an 85% in high school and I know it's become more competitive in the last few years.

Hi Krista, happy to have your advice! My question's a little silly. I've devoted lots of time + effort to getting medlab prereqs in AB Canada, but I still cannot fathom handling needles. How often does a typical tech have to poke patients? That is the greatest issue for me with needles.

Depends where you work but most likely never. You'll have to do it in school to be trained as its part of your competency as a tech but as long as you don't work in a very rural hospital/lab you should be ok!

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