Skip to the main content
This website uses cookies to give you a better online experience. By using this website or closing this message, you are agreeing to our cookie policy. More information
Alberta Supports Contact Centre

Toll Free 1-877-644-9992

Find This Program At Other Schools
Program Information

Medical Laboratory Assistant

Red Deer Polytechnic

Red Deer Polytechnic

rdpolytech.ca
The Accredited Medical Laboratory Assistant program is designed to produce health care professionals who have the basic technical and theoretical skills to work in healthcare laboratories. Their duties consist mainly of sample collection, specimen processing and various clinical laboratory procedures. Graduates will attain all the specified MLA competencies that are outlined by the Canadian Society of Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS). They will be eligible to write the CSMLS MLA exam and obtain national certification. The program is completed over 29 weeks and includes classroom and laboratory study on campus and a 7 week practicum off campus for clinical laboratory training. Students are trained to collect, process, and prepare patient specimens, enter data, perform clerical and reception services, perform electrocardiograms and urinalysis, and carry out basic laboratory procedures. During practicum experience, students will address a selection of competencies in simulation labs.
Contact

Registrar's Office
Red Deer Polytechnic
100 College Boulevard
Box 5005
Red Deer, Alberta, T4N 5H5, Canada

Apply Now
  • Program Type Standard
  • Credential Type Certificate
  • Length 1 Year or Less
  • Part Time Only
  • Cooperative Education
  • Continuing Education
  • Distance Learning
Admission Requirements
Admission Requirements:
  1. Minimum average of 60% and no mark below 50% in: English 30-1 or 30-2, Chemistry 20, Biology 20, and Mathematics 10C or Mathematics 20-2
  2. Keyboarding skills (two-tests - minimum 30 words per minute with 90% accuracy)
  3. Basic computer literacy exam (word processing)
Other Requirements:

A completed Career Investigation report that documents a visit or job shadow in a clinical laboratory or blood collection site.

Note: In addition to the program admission requirements, applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency.

Career Investigation:

Applicants are required to complete a Medical Laboratory Assistant Program Specific Career Investigation Report Form. A visit to a clinical laboratory or collection site and completion of a Career Investigation form specific to the Medical Laboratory Assisting program are required.

Non-academic Requirements / Immunization Requirements

Once accepted into the Medical Laboratory Assistant program, students will be given an immunization requirement form to be completed by their physician, public health nurse or health professional. Your immunization must be up to date prior to orientation. Your completed immunization requirement form must be submitted at your program's orientation in September.

Don't wait - start updating your immunization today. You will need immunization against tetanus and diphtheria, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chicken pox) and hepatitis B (including Hepatitis B titre). You will also be required to undergo tuberculosis screening within a specified time prior to practicum placement. Failure to do so will prevent you from participating in program activities and clinical placement. A copy of your records may be obtained from your public health clinic or physician's office.

Police Information Check:

While not an admission requirement for the program, applicants are advised that they will be required to provide a Police Information Check (also known as a Criminal Record Check) including a Vulnerable Sector Check to most agencies where they will be placed for practicum experiences. The existence of police information or a criminal record may prevent practicum placement, program completion, professional licensure and therefore affect future employment prospects. It is the decision of each agency or institution to accept or reject a student for placement or observation experience based on the results of the police information check.
 

Application Deadline
Applications are accepted starting October 1st.

Student Aid

This program is eligible for full-time post-secondary assistance by Alberta Student Aid for the funding year 2023/08/01 to 2024/07/31*.

  • Tuition $5,000.00 Year One
  • Mandatory Fees $2,225.50 Year One
  • Books/Supplies/Instruments $1,500.00 Year One

* Tuition, books, supplies, instruments, and other/mandatory fees are provided to Alberta Student Aid and may be used when processing full-time post-secondary funding applications. The educational costs provided are based on a 100% full-course load and may not reflect current or all educational costs charged by the school. Contact the school to obtain accurate educational cost information.

Transfer(s) Eligibility

Search Transfer Alberta for course and program transfer information including transfer agreements between post-secondary schools in Alberta, British Columbia, Northwest Territories, Nunavut and Yukon.

Transfer(s) available outside of Transfer Alberta: Not available

Updated September 12, 2022. The information contained in this profile is current as of the date shown.

Educational program information is provided as an introduction and for general reference. For current information about programs and school requirements or policies, check the school calendar, visit their website or contact the school directly.
The Government of Alberta is working in partnership with the Government of Canada to provide employment support programs and services.

Was this page useful?