If individuals are interested in pursuing Medical Laboratory Technologist jobs in Canada, this in-depth guide might be the solution. In this comprehensive guide, we delve deeper into the critical role MLTs play in the healthcare system in Canada. This profession involves several things, from conducting crucial tests to ensuring accurate outcomes that help patients. Through this guide, you will learn about educational requirements, licensing pathways, and diverse career pathways for MLTs in Canada.

If you’re looking for a career change or starting afresh, this blog will equip you with essential insights. Therefore, you will have all the information needed to navigate this country’s Medical Laboratory Technologist jobs.

Moving to Canada as a Medical Laboratory Technologist in Canada

Before you literally decide to move to Canada, you must gather all relevant information related to the job requirements of a Medical Laboratory Technologist. Conducting careful research and analysis will help you to seamlessly switch to your new job and also start your career from a new perspective. In addition, you must take a few steps to enhance your job search experience; they’re as follows:

  • Conduct in-depth research about the demand for MLTs in Canada across all levels: national, provincial, and municipal. This way, you will be able to analyze where precisely the most significant demand is. 
  • Get in touch with the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Society and the provincial or territorial regulatory body in the specific region where you intend to settle or work. This way, you will be able to understand the licensing process, cost, and duration of acquiring a license. 
  • Recognize the steps you will need to take before and after moving to Canada. 
  • Gather the documents you will need in the future to apply for Canadian employment or to proceed with employment. Check thoroughly all the translated documents you will need to bring to Canada. 

Additional steps

After the above basic steps, you must also adhere to these additional steps for a smooth career transition as an MLT in Canada:

  • Get started with your Prior Learning Assessment through the CSMLS. The PLA examines your academic credentials, practical lessons, professional development, and previous work record to decide whether you’re equivalent to the Canadian standards for MLTs. 
  • Collect and organize your work, official education, and identity-related documents before immigrating to Canada. 
  • Self-assess your language abilities by using the Canadian Language website through an online self-evaluation tool. 
  • Work on enhancing your language proficiency and take admission to language classes while in your home country. 
  • Access the newsletters related to professional associations to stay updated with the latest industry developments while residing in your home country. 
  • Understand the practice of MLTs in this country in detail. Also, become acquainted with the rules, regulations, and licensing procedures that administer the profession in the specific province of your choice. 

Medical Laboratory Technologist jobs in Canada – What should you expect?

MLTs have a significant role to play in Canada’s current healthcare system. CDC reports claim that nearly 70 percent of medical decisions depend primarily on medical laboratory outcomes. This makes the significance of MLTs in the healthcare industry evident, indicating excellent job opportunities.
However, before moving to Canada, one must learn about all the job requirements and eligibility parameters.
This detailed research will enable you to understand the cost, process, and time involved. Moreover, acquiring a Canadian job in this profession will be far more convenient. Furthermore, you will be able to compare the expected salary with the cost of living, housing, food, groceries, and transport in the city where you intend to settle.
MLT is a regulated profession in most Canadian provinces, such as Alberta, New Brunswick, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Newfoundland, and Labrador. According to the legal regulations, newcomers can work in the above provinces if they have a license provided to them by a provincial regulatory body. These regulatory bodies outline the rules and regulations for everyone to enter this profession. They even grant licenses to appropriate candidates who fulfill all eligibility criteria.
This profession is not regulated one in a few provinces, such as British Columbia, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island.

Employment prospects for MLT jobs in Canada

Per the statistics of the Canadian government, there will be a huge labor shortage for MLTs until 2031. The 2021 data reported that nearly 51,300 medical laboratory technologists work in public and private laboratories, hospitals, and university research amenities. Due to the immense demand in the medical sector, there will be increased opportunities for medical laboratory technologists. The recent predictions claim there will be 25,600 job vacancies, while the job seekers will be nearly 23,800. This will be an excellent opportunity for workers and newcomers with international training. They will also be able to earn a good amount of money in their respective position in the medical laboratory profession if they have the required skills.

Begin your NOC Code for MLT jobs in Canada

The NOC offers a defined job description to make sure that MLT NOC best aligns with the job duties in your home country. The NOC Code is 32120 for this profession.

Eligibility to gain Medical Laboratory Technologist jobs in Canada

Medical Laboratory Technologist jobs require aspiring individuals to fulfill the following requirements:

  • Completing a college program with two to three years in medical laboratory technology and a supervised practical training period. 
  • Registering with a regulatory body or college for MLTs in the province for work purposes. 
  • Receiving a certificate from the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science. 

CSMLS is Canada’s national organization that certifies and represents MLTs and assistants. It administers examinations for several specialties, including the following:

  • Diagnostic Cytology
  • Lab assistance
  • Medical Lab Technology
  • Clinical Genetics

Collaborating with provincial regulatory bodies, the CSMLS advocates for the profession and grants certification. The credentials of CSMLS have a worldwide reputation and recognition and are even compulsory in Canadian provinces or territories devoid of their separate regulatory bodies.

It certifies the following:

  • Clinical Genetics
  • General Medical Laboratory Technologist
  • Diagnostic Cytology and Voluntary Certification of Medical Laboratory Assistant

MLT Associations in Canada

The following associations provide details concerning licensing and certification, and also opportunities related to education, networking, and professional development.

  • Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science
  • Alberta – College of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Alberta
  • Manitoba – CMLTM
  • British Columbia of Laboratory Science
  • New Brunswick Society of MLT
  • Nova Scotia College of Medical Laboratory Technologists
  • Ontario -CMLTO
  • Newfoundland and Labrador – NLCMLS
  • Quebec – QPTMQ
  • Saskatchewan – SSMLT

Salary prospects for MLT jobs in Canada

The income for Medical Laboratory Technologist jobs will differ based on your desired province (where you intend to reside). Canada Government Job Bank claims that this profession’s salaries lie between $22 and $47.65 per hour. The average salary for medical laboratory jobs is $36 per hour.

Based on the different provinces, here’s a breakdown of the median salary range:

  • Alberta – $44 per hour
  • British Columbia – $35 per hour
  • Manitoba – $36.20 per hour
  • New Brunswick – $34 per hour
  • Newfoundland and Labrador – $37 per hour
  • Nova Scotia – $34.43 per hour
  • Ontario – $40.38 per hour
  • PEI – $34.43 per hour
  • Quebec – 30.22 per hour

An overview of provinces with the best job prospects for MLTs

Typically, job prospects for MLTs appear to be excellent in Alberta, Manitoba, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Ontario. Moreover, employment progress in these provinces will likely increase in the coming years.
Most Canadian provinces have decent job opportunities for MLTs in the years to come. However, you must expand your search to small and medium-sized cities. Cities that have an easy transport system to nearby larger cities, including Vancouver, Toronto, and Calgary, might provide better housing and an easier lifestyle.
However, while deciding on the right location, you will consider various factors that will be crucial to you and your family. For instance, cities like Hamilton and Markham are one hour from Toronto. These cities will offer a better cost of living, affordable housing, and reduced competition in job searches.
Therefore, the best thing would be to research and figure out the regions with higher demand for MLTs. It will be best to decide the median salary that you could expect depending on your past work experiences.

Pursuing an MLT career and finding a job as a newcomer in Canada

A career path as a Medical Laboratory Technologist in Canada will help you interconnect with various other professions in the healthcare sector. However, to tread on this path as an MLT in Canada, you must have the required training and practical experience, the right academic qualifications, and a precise plan regarding the work location of your choice.

Who are the significant employers in this profession?

MLTs are able to find job opportunities in several settings, such as private clinics, hospitals, research laboratories, administration, education, and cancer centers.
Numerous professionals in this medical fieldwork for 44 weeks, including weekend and evening shifts, based on full-time experience. However, there is a rising number of work opportunities for part-time, casual, and contractual employees. This applies to people who are ready to work under flexible set-ups.
You must check out Canada’s Best Diversity Employers to verify immigrant-friendly firms.

Finding MLT jobs

This profession falls under the eligibility list of 24 occupations of the Federal Skilled Worker Program. Overall, one can witness a positive range of employment prospects for those looking for jobs in the MLT profession. However, one can’t overlook the highly competitive scenario in the Canadian job market. Furthermore, it will be a different experience to gain employment in Canada than in your home country. The first step must be to connect with authentic settlement agencies that will help you with several things, such as:

  • Updating your resume up to Canadian standards.
  • Preparing cover letters.
  • Preparing for job interviews.
  • Other job search activities.

Your second step must be to determine which province you prefer to settle in and then take your time and energy to search for job requirements in that specific province. In addition, create a plan to search for jobs. You might access a variety of ways MLT job search, such as:

  • Expand your job search horizon and incorporate different careers and sectors.
  • Figure out a mentor in the medical laboratory field, such as a retired MLT professional. Ask them to provide you with valuable insights and help you expand your network by mingling with their social circle.
  • Access immigrant-serving agencies to help you join business-related job search groups or networking clubs.
  • Participate in industry job fairs and events and consistently look for jobs through online job portals.

Concentrate on your professional networking for Medical Laboratory Technologist jobs in Canada

Networking is a crucial activity that can enable you to acquire job leads and details concerning possible employers. It can also enable you to mingle with other professionals in your field or profession and expand your network.
In addition, numerous job vacancies don’t get advertised, therefore, you must connect with already practicing MLTs and others in your profession.
A few excellent places to network include industry conferences, associations, and events. These get-togethers can help you interact with other professionals, establish powerful connections, and exchange business information.
LinkedIn happens to be the most effective tool for expanding your network. It remains the perfect resource to help you establish a greater connection with former colleagues, employers, and research firms and become introduced to your circle.
You could also join a few professional groups; however, you will have to cultivate and grow these connections with time. It will take a lot of perseverance as these connections take time to bloom.

Conclusion

Acquiring Medical Laboratory Technologist jobs in Canada requires individuals to have accurate qualifications, skills, and work experience. In addition, they must be able to provide the essential certifications and complete the licensing procedures. However, there’s a lot to do before you arrive here, like researching all the essential requirements and documents and connecting with professionals to learn about hidden jobs. Furthermore, you will need to update your resume according to relevant Canadian standards and customize it for each job search. Cover letters will also play a vital role as these things will help you make a lasting impression on others. You must be familiar with the industry trends and be able to highlight your skills and achievements to get the MLT job.

Do you have any queries on Canadian immigration? Get in touch with our immigration representatives at NavaImmigration by writing to us at [email protected].