Overview
Learn how to safely collect, process and prepare patient specimens and perform electrocardiograms and urinalysis to be ready for a career as a medical laboratory assistant in hospitals, high-volume laboratories, research labs, community collection sites, private insurance and home care companies.
The Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA) fast-paced program trains students to collect, process, and prepare patient specimens, enter data, perform clerical and reception services, perform electrocardiograms and urinalyses and carry out basic laboratory procedures.
The first semester of the MLA program consists of classroom instruction and clinical integration which prepares students for the clinical practicum and professional job duties. The second semester involves theory on professional practice and a six-week clinical practicum arranged by SAIT which is spent in a laboratory and patient service center. The practicum provides students with opportunities to refine and apply competencies acquired at SAIT.
The program has many clinical partners located within Alberta and across Canada. Clinical placements in Calgary are limited and students must be prepared to relocate outside of Calgary for the six-week practicum. Successful candidates will be informed of the allocation of their placement by the program. There is no guarantee that students will be placed at their desired practicum location. Special considerations of personal circumstances will not be given in regard to assigning practicum placements. Students will be responsible for fees associated with their practicum such as relocation and travel costs.
Is this the right fit for me?
Job expectations for success in this profession include:
- fine motor skills
- critical thinking
- communication (e.g. verbal, reading, writing, and listening)
- able to work independently
- able to participate in classroom, lab, and practicum activities as scheduled by the program
- adaptable
- able to work well under stress
- able to use technology
- attention to detail
- able to maintain professional behaviour; emotional self-regulation
- able to wear Personal Protective Equipment for extended periods of time
- able to work extended hours, including nights and/or weekends and shift work
- able to tolerate the sight of human blood and tissue
- able to assist in transporting, lifting, and positioning of patients and/or equipment
- able to meet the physical demands of the job (e.g. use hand, wrist, and arm for prolonged periods of time)
- possess normal colour vision
- able to tolerate latex and disinfection chemicals
- able to sit for long periods of time (3-4 hours)
- comfortable with performing patient care procedures which may be sensitive or performed in close proximity
- ability to type at 30 wpm with high accuracy
Prospective students are strongly encouraged to refer to the ALIS website for career, learning, and employment information for Medical Laboratory Assistant, as well as the governing body’s competency profile for the profession, to ensure that they are able to successfully demonstrate the skills required to achieve all the competency-based objectives for the program and profession
Accreditation
The Medical Laboratory Assistant program delivered by SAIT is accredited by Accreditation Canada and is designed so that graduates achieve clinical competence as defined by the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS). As an accredited institute, graduates of the Medical Laboratory Assistant program at SAIT are eligible to challenge the CSMLS certification exam.
Credential
After successfully completing this program, graduates will receive a SAIT Medical Laboratory Assistant certificate.
All graduates are eligible for registration and membership with the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS). Obtaining national certification as a medical laboratory assistant will allow for opportunities to work across Canada.
Get important updates about our health and medical programs
Career opportunities
Graduates can pursue job opportunities in:
- community collection sites
- hospital rapid-response laboratories
- high-volume medical laboratories
- private insurance companies
- home care companies
Related careers include:
- pathologist assistant
Tuition and fees
Estimated cost per year:
Domestic total 2023/24
- Year 1: $5,709.50
Final costs are dependent on the number of courses a student takes per semester.
This program is eligible for Canada Alberta Job Grant funding.
Requirements
You will be offered admission to this program through direct entry if you meet the admission requirements and space is available.
Are you a rural student ready to apply?
A limited number of reserved seats are available for this program - apply now!
Learn more about our rural seat programs
Medical Laboratory Assistant
This program trains students to collect, process and prepare patient specimens, enter data, perform clerical and reception services, electrocardiograms and urinalyses and carry out basic laboratory procedures.
Admission requirements
Mandatory admission requirement
Applicants are required to complete the School of Health and Public Safety entrance testing process as an admission requirement for this program by the set deadlines.
These deadlines may be different than the typical application closing dates.
View process and upcoming deadlinesProgram requirements
Completion of the following courses or equivalents:
- at least 60% in Math 20-2 or Math 10C
- at least 60% in English Language Arts 30-1 or English Language Arts 30-2
- at least 60% in Chemistry 20
- at least 60% in Biology 20
AND,
- A mark of at least 50% on the scoring rubric for the School of Health and Public Safety’s entrance testing process.
All applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency prior to admission, including students educated in Canada.
SAIT accepts high school course equivalents for admission. If you don't meet the requirements, consider Academic Upgrading.
SAIT evaluates international documents for admissions. After you've applied, consider our international document assessment service if your education is from outside of Canada. SAIT may also accept courses completed at certain international post-secondary institutions.
When should you apply?
Visit our Apply page to see when applications open and close for upcoming semesters.
To see which semesters this program has intakes for, look at the Available Intakes information at the top of this page.
Direct entry: 5-step process
Step 1: Read the program information to see the qualities needed for student success.
Step 2: Review the information related to the necessary components of the School of Health and Public Safety Entrance Testing Process.
Step 3: Complete the School of Health and Public Safety Entrance Testing Process non-academic admission requirement. Ensure that you meet all of the academic admission requirements listed above.
Step 4: Apply to the program and submit your transcripts.
Admission is offered on a first-qualified, first-offered basis until the program is full.
Step 5: Continue to monitor your application status through mySAIT.ca.
You must submit final transcripts/grades to show you have completed the courses and met the minimum admission requirements by the transcript deadline or your seat will be rescinded.
Communication during admission
Email is the primary source of communication during the admission process. Ensure your personal email account is managed appropriately to receive our emails, files and communications.
We recommend you add hps.info@sait.ca domain to your safe senders' list or you risk missing critical email messages.
When do classes start?
Classes for this program adhere to the following year start and end dates based on the semester the student begins their program.
| Classes begin | Year start date | Year end date |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2022 | Sept. 6, 2022 | Feb. 10, 2023 |
| Winter 2023 | Jan. 9, 2023 | June 30, 2023 |
| Spring 2023 | May 8, 2023 | Sept. 22, 2023 |
| Fall 2023 | Sept. 5, 2023 | Feb. 16, 2024 |
Practicum requirements
The School of Health and Public Safety has many practica partners located in Alberta and across Canada. Practicum placements in Calgary are limited and students may be required to relocate outside of Calgary for practicum.
Successful candidates will be informed of the allocation of their practicum placement by the program. There is no guarantee that students will be placed at their desired practicum location. Special considerations of personal circumstances will not be given in regards to assigning practicum placements. Students will be responsible for fees associated with practica such as entrance requirements, relocation and travel costs.
In compliance with the practica agreements with our clinical partners, successful candidates will be requested to provide proof of the following requirements:
- Updated immunization records
- Security clearance - Police Information Check including Vulnerable Sector Check
- N95 respiratory mask fitting
- Health and wellness status
Courses
Program outline
Looking for course descriptions and requisites? Visit the course catalogue
Open Studies courses available
Some courses in this program are available through Open Studies.
Open Studies is a great way to explore a certain subject before diving into the full program. See what courses are offered by finding this program on the Open Studies courses tab.
This program is a 21-week certificate offered over the fall/winter semesters or the winter/spring semesters
Semester 1
| Course code | Course name | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| INFC-215* | Infection Prevention and Control | 1.5 |
| MEDL-200 | Clinical Laboratory Foundations | 3.0 |
| MEDL-201 | Patient Services | 3.0 |
| MEDL-202 | Clinical Integration | 1.5 |
| MEDL-203 | Clinical Laboratory Testing | 3.0 |
| PROF-201* | Professional Practice I | 3.0 |
| Semester 1 total | 15.0 | |
Semester 2
| Course code | Course name | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| PROF-202 | Professional Practice | 1.5 |
| PRAC-271 | Clinical Placement | 3.0 |
| Semester 2 total | 4.5 | |
| Program total | 19.5 | |
*Available by correspondence and/or online learning. The courses must be completed within the time frame shown in the program outline. Please contact the Academic Chair prior to enrolling in any online or correspondence courses.
Progression
Students must attain a PGPA and/or a CGPA of 2.0 or better in each semester and pass the necessary prerequisite courses to progress through the program. To qualify for graduation, students must pass all courses, attain a CGPA of 2.0 or better and complete course requirements within the prescribed timelines.
Review our grading and progression procedure >
Transfer options
The opportunity to advance your education by transferring in, within or on from SAIT is available.
Learn more about program and institution partnership agreements.
Costs 2022/23
Domestic tuition and fees
Cost per credit: $216
| Year | Number of semesters | Tuition fees | SAIT fees | Saitsa fees* | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | $4,212 | $916 | $553 | $5,681 |
*Maximum fee. Actual fees may be less and are based on the number of credits a student takes per semester and whether they opt-out of health and dental benefits.
This program is eligible for Canada Alberta Job Grant funding.
SAIT fees
- Campus athletic and recreation fee: $196
- Universal transit pass (Upass): $320
- Student support fee: $200
- Student technology fee: $200
Saitsa fees
Student Association fee
- Maximum: $291
This is the maximum amount the student will pay. Actual fees may be less and are based on the number of credits the students take per semester.
Health and dental fees
- Health plan: $127
- Dental plan: $135
Students with existing health and/or dental plans can opt-out. Please refer to Saitsa's website for information.
Books and supplies*
Books and supplies are approximately $700 per full-time year.
Students are responsible for any additional expenses related to their practicum, including pre-practicum requirements as outlined by the program, and relocation costs to practicum sites outside of Calgary.
For an estimate of the costs associated with purchasing a computer that meets the program's hardware and software requirements, see our computers and laptops page.
Additional fees
- Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) national exam fee is approximately $250.
- CSMLS national association dues for students are approximately $85. Refer to CSMLS.org for more details”
- There is a fee associated with obtaining a Police Information Check including a Vulnerable Sector Check, payable to the Police or the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
- Students must have a personal computer and access to the Internet. Most classes are taught at SAIT, but some require online access. All courses require additional self‐study.
- Students must have their immunizations reviewed by the SAIT Health Clinic. There is a $75 charge to review vaccine and medical history. Any vaccines to be administered will result in additional charges.
Learn more about tuition and financial aid.
*Tuition, fees, books and supply costs are subject to change.
Costs 2023/24
Tuition and fees
The following costs are effective as of July 1, 2023. They are an estimate of tuition and fees based on the recommended course load per year. *
Domestic students
| Year | Number of semesters | Tuition fees | SAIT fees | Saitsa fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1.5** | $4,621.50 | $631 | $457 | $5,709.50 |
*For a detailed breakdown of tuition costs per course, visit the domestic fee table.
**.5 indicates a combination of full-time semester(s) and part-time semester(s) in the same academic year. In many cases, students are completing a practicum during their part-time semester. Part-time students are those taking less than nine (9) course credits in a semester.
This program is eligible for Canada Alberta Job Grant funding.
Fees
Your fees are calculated based on the number of course credits you take per semester (approximately 16 weeks of study). In most cases, your fee is determined based on whether you're taking more or less than nine (9) course credits (more than nine credits in a semester are considered full-time studies.)
Fees are adjusted for programs with start dates outside of the typical 15-week program.
Learn more about what your fees are for
Fees are subject to change without notice.
| Fees | < 9 credits per semester | > 9 credits per semester |
| SAIT fees | ||
| Campus athletic and recreation | $51.50 | $103 |
| Student support fee | $52.75 | $105.50 |
| Student technology fee | $52.75 | $105.50 |
| UPass* | N/A | $160 |
| Total | $157 | $474 |
| Saitsa fees | ||
| Student association fee** | $16.22/credit | $146 |
| Health plan*** | N/A | $86 ($172 annually) |
| Dental plan*** | N/A | $79 ($158 annually) |
| Total | $311 maximum | $476 |
*Additional eligibility requirements apply for students to obtain a UPass. To check your eligibility, visit our Upass page.
**Saitsa fees are paid per credit to a maximum amount of $146 per semester.
***Health and dental fees are charged per semester to an annual maximum amount of $172 for health and $158 for dental. In most cases, program fees quoted are based on students paying for a full year of health and dental coverage. International students are charged these fees regardless of course load. Domestic students with existing health and/or dental plans can opt-out. Learn more at saitsa.com/benefits.
Books and supplies*
Books and supplies are approximately $700 per full-time year.
Students are responsible for any additional expenses related to their practicum, including pre-practicum requirements as outlined by the program, and relocation costs to practicum sites outside of Calgary.
For an estimate of the costs associated with purchasing a computer that meets the program's hardware and software requirements, see our computers and laptops page.
Additional fees
- Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) national exam fee is approximately $250.
- CSMLS national association dues for students are approximately $85. Refer to CSMLS.org for more details”
- There is a fee associated with obtaining a Police Information Check including a Vulnerable Sector Check, payable to the Police or the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
- Students must have a personal computer and access to the Internet. Most classes are taught at SAIT, but some require online access. All courses require additional self‐study.
- Students must have their immunizations reviewed by the SAIT Health Clinic. There is a $75 charge to review vaccine and medical history. Any vaccines to be administered will result in additional charges.
*Tuition, fees, books and supply costs are subject to change.
Next steps
Have you been accepted to this program? Here's what you'll need for your first day of classes.
✅ Plan ahead ❗️
You are required to complete several health, confidentiality and consent forms before starting your program. All completed and signed paperwork is needed on orientation day.
Ensure you complete all three steps below ahead of orientation.
Get started on pre-orientation requirements
Orientation
Program orientation for students beginning in Winter 2023 will take place SAIT campus on Friday, Jan. 6. Look for ORNT 118 in your schedule in mySAIT for the time and exact location.*
You can also prepare by attending Big SAIT Welcome, online information sessions, international or Indigenous orientation, and completing the preparation courses below.
*If your orientation takes place on the first day of classes, you will not see a separate ORNT 118 in your schedule. Students registering in classes via open registration will need to enroll themselves in ORNT 118.
How to register for classes
Course registration opens on March 1 through March 15 for Spring 2023.
You’ll receive an email from us indicating what registration process you’ll use to enroll in your classes.
Learn more about how to register and the different registration methods used at SAIT.
Computers and laptops
This is a bring your own device program with a standard hardware and software requirement. See the specific requirements on our computers and laptops page.
Required personal protective equipment (PPE)
The industry-approved PPE you'll need will be discussed during your first few days of classes.
Your required uniform can be purchased prior to orientation from any place that sells medical uniforms. Your uniform should consist of,
- a scrub top and bottom
- safety glasses
- comfortable closed-toe and heel shoes. They should also be water impervious and slip-resistant.
Preparation courses
To support your success, short courses are available to you to help prepare you for the academic year:
PERS 050: Student Rights and Responsibilities
This course is designed to introduce you to student rights and responsibilities at SAIT. You will learn about SAIT's rich and diverse community, become familiar with guidelines and procedures that create a safe, respectful learning experience for you, and gain practical tips for how you can engage in the SAIT community in a positive and responsible way. PRES-050 must be completed within 30 days from the start of the semester.
PREP 100: The SAIT Experience
Get tips and insider information on time management, exam preparation, effective notetaking and more through this free, online short course for new students. Plus, learn about discussion boards, online communication and submitting assignments online. Course completion is recommended by the end of your first semester.
Both courses can be accessed through Brightspace (D2L) before the first day of classes.
Students taking a full-time course load, or more than nine (9) credits per semester, will be automatically enrolled in these courses.
They are optional for students taking a part-time course load (9 or fewer credits per semester). Part-time students can register by emailing academic.coaching@sait.ca.
Required textbooks
Find your booklist on the SAIT Bookstore's website. The booklist will be available closer to the program start date.
Can’t find your program or course? The bookstore didn't receive a textbook list. Contact your program directly to determine if they’re still refining course details or if you're in luck, no textbook purchase required this term.
Contact
Phone: 403.284.8500
Email: hps.info@sait.ca
Next steps for all students
Here's what else you'll need to do to get ready!
Next steps for accepted students
Important dates and deadlines
Find important dates applicable to all students, including your transcript and tuition payment deadlines on our Important Dates page.
