The practical training at CDI College and, especially, the practicum placement is so important because you're actually getting experience. It's something that you can put on your résumé that is actually hands-on and says you've done it. Brandie M., CDI College graduate
Students enrolled in CDI College's Medical Laboratory Assistant diploma program will find a wide variety of career opportunities to choose from upon graduation.
This program consists of both practical and theoretical studies in order to prepare graduates for the work environment. Students are first introduced to the technical areas of medical terminology, clinical laboratory, and laboratory mathematics. A fundamental understanding of chemistry and biology in the form of laboratory microbiology, cytology and histology, and hematology is taught through a combination of lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on experimentation. Anatomy, physiology, quality assurance and safety procedures are also important components to the Medical Laboratory Assistant program.
In order to graduate students must complete a total of 120 hours of outside clinical experience. To enhance this work experience, CDI College offers workplace skills courses that develop professional skills as well as employment strategies such as effective job planning, searching, and interviewing.
This program is 37 weeks in length.
Job Opportunities
- Private diagnostic testing laboratories
- Public health laboratories
- Hospital labs
- Quality control labs
- Physician's office or clinic
- Veterinary laboratories
Medical Laboratory Assistant
Program Courses
The program outline below is for British Columbia.
| Code | Course Name | Hours |
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- This course gives the student an overview of the Human Anatomy and the terminology associated with each body system. Understanding new words becomes easier with the discovery that many of these terms are made up of interchangeable word parts that are used in different combinations. The text used in the course is designed to make the process as simple as possible.
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- This course will provide students with the fundamental notions necessary to the understanding of the components of histology and cytology. Students will use their basic understanding of anatomical structures of the body and how they are examined under the microscope. Other topics include specimen collection, handling, fixation and other processes. Embedding and cutting, filtration, cross contamination, PAP smears, and cytospin use are also covered.
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- This course will provide the student with the fundamental notions necessary to the understanding of the components of Medical Terminology. The students will learn the basic anatomical structures of the body and identify commonly used abbreviations in the healthcare field. The emphasis of this course is placed on the proper use of the elements of medical terminology, such as prefixes, suffixes and root words. Medical terminology is a vast field that cannot be taught completely in one course. This course will serve as a foundation for the continuous learning of medical terminology that will continue throughout the remainder of the program.
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- Hematology is a 10-day module, intended to introduce the students to the laboratory procedures involving hematology, coagulation, transfusion medicine, and immunology. Delivery of this module combines classroom teaching, laboratory demonstrations and practice.
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- This course is a general overview of computers and computer terminology. It describes the hardware that makes up a computer system as well as the software that makes it functional and useful. Students learn about the user interface, common software applications and the Internet. The issues and challenges associated with using computers, such as ergonomics, privacy and security are also introduced.
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- This course introduces the laboratory aspect of the program. Students are taught the Universal Standard Precautions associated with biological, chemical and physical hazards necessary to work comfortably and safely in a laboratory environment. Also addressed are procedures and safety methods for handling and transporting specimens. This course covers the key competencies related to administration procedures for the Medical Laboratory Assistant. Collection techniques are introduced, and students are provided with an opportunity to obtain the knowledge and acquire the skills to properly collect specimens required for diagnostic laboratory testing. To complete this section, students must develop proficiency in using safety procedures, laboratory barrier precautions, and government regulations.
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- This course is designed to provide students with an understanding of how to perform routine procedures to collect specimens and process them in an appropriate way so that the micro-organisms can be cultured and/or identified. This will assist the physician in treating various infections. Students become familiar with the various uses and applications of equipment and culture techniques to grow microorganisms.
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- The purpose of this course is to provide students with the proper knowledge of workplace safety procedures. Students will learn how to safely and effectively use and maintain laboratory equipment. This course will provide an excellent foundation for the safety protocols students will use in the other Medical Laboratory Assistant courses. It will also establish the necessary training for the Medical Laboratory Assistant within the clinical field. Students will be instructed on the correct waste-disposal techniques, with particular emphasis on bio-hazardous waste. Specific topics include medical asepsis biological hazards and safety practices, sterilization and disinfection, accident prevention methods, WHMIS, transportation of dangerous goods, and shipping with dry ice.
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- This course is designed to equip students with interpersonal skills identified by employers as essential for success in the professional world. Using a variety of instructional methods including case studies, group exercises, and discussion, students learn and practice key communication skills.
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- This course is designed to provide students with a solid mathematical foundation for use in a medical laboratory. It includes a basic understanding of mathematics, measurements, dilutions, solutions, graphs, statistics, and quality control as well as specific applications in chemistry, hematology and urinalysis. Specific topics include the components of quality assurance programs, quality assurance, the metric system, and reagent preparation.
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- This course will provide students with the fundamental notions necessary to the understanding of the components of the Standards of Practice. The students will have knowledge of the Standards of Practice, Ethics, and Legislations governing medical laboratory assistants/technicians. The emphasis of this course is placed on laws, regulations, various acts, ethical, and legislative framework that influence the practice of medical technology in your province. Other topics include specimen procurement and handling, accreditation bodies and their roles, quality management, Canada Health Act and the health care system, Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS), Occupational Health and Safety Act (1990), and confidentiality acts and guidelines.