Michener Institute - Med Lab Tech

[kayoko]

After a quick search on Google, I found three schools offering medical lab tech programs, but all of them are different in lengths:

Mohawk - distance education (aren't there any labs requiring fancy equipment/chemicals that you just can't do from home??!)

Centennial - 2 sem. of courses + 1 sem of internship (done in 12 months)

Michener - 4 sem. of courses + 3 sem. of intership (done in 2.5 years)

And there are probably other schools offering MLT programs that I haven't looked at yet...

So obviously going with Michener you get more training with more time and tuition, but are there heavy consequences of going with a shorter program with the other colleges? For example, will Michener grads typically get positions with higher starting salary? Or will an employer look at a Mohawk MLT diploma and think "garbage"?

Well, first and foremost, there is a difference between medical laboratory technologist and medical laboratory technician/assistant. The Centennial and Mohawk fall under the assistant/technician category while Michener's program is the technologist category.

Technologists are a regulated profession requiring registration with a professional program in order to work as MLT. Technicians/assistants are not regulated. As a result, technologists have better starting pay.

As for any consequences of choosing one over the other, I would say career advancement. If you were an employer trying to find a supervisor, would you hire a technologist or a technician/assistant?

[cyrene]

Thanks kayoko...I'm in similar boat as you - have a degree already and thinking of doing more school. But I graduated a few years back, so I've already spent several years drifting and not having a desirable career. I read your other post...wish you the best of luck of getting into Michener.

Anyways I was confused about the term "medical lab tech" - tech being short for technologist or technician...but I see which schools actually offer the "technologist" program now: http://www.csmls.org/english/career/programs.htm

[kayoko]

Thanks kayoko...I'm in similar boat as you - have a degree already and thinking of doing more school. But I graduated a few years back, so I've already spent several years drifting and not having a desirable career. I read your other post...wish you the best of luck of getting into Michener.

Ah, I think there are many of us out there in this situation. I think Michener offers some incredible programs that offer you a profession. The only problem is that a lot of their programs take 2-3+ years full time to complete.

Although, if you find your qualifying for their graduate programs, they're great cause they're much shorter, but they still provide you with a good stepping stone into a career. Examples like sleep medicine, diagnostic cytology, genetics technology, etc.

One non-Michener program I applied to was "PHARMACEUTICAL REGULATORY AFFAIRS AND QUALITY OPERATIONS" from Seneca. It's an awesome program since it runs only for 1 year and you get a co-op opportunity. I have a friend from high school who's in the program right now and she's really enjoying it. She told me that the top supervisor in her department only has a B. Sc so there's not that much pressure to go back for a M.Sc or PhD.

I didn't bother writing Seneca's English assessment test for the program cause in the end, I like health care a whole lot more than pharmaceutical industry. Personal choice mostly, cause I'm sure I have a heck of a better chance getting into Seneca than Michener.

It's been a crazy process for me deciding what career to choose and by the first week of May, I'll know my fate (that's when acceptances will be sent out). Wish you good luck in this process and hopefully, you'll be able to find something that you like as I did.

[cyrene]

kayoko - from your posts, I'm assuming Michener admission is quite competitive? Since the med lab tech program only needs high school courses requirements, wouldn't you have an advantage since you already have a B.Sc and more mature? Or does it actually hurt to be not coming straight from high school...

Yeah, another 2-3 years...seems like lots of ppl have the bachelor-degree-is-not-enough issue. I have also been looking into the pharmacist option (yes, not your cup of tea) - my GPA has a shot (not too long of a shot, but not a sure thing either), but another 4 years plus ridiculous tuition - I'll be a very broke thirty-something after I graduate.

[kayoko]

kayoko - from your posts, I'm assuming Michener admission is quite competitive? Since the med lab tech program only needs high school courses requirements, wouldn't you have an advantage since you already have a B.Sc and more mature? Or does it actually hurt to be not coming straight from high school...

Yeah, another 2-3 years...seems like lots of ppl have the bachelor-degree-is-not-enough issue. I have also been looking into the pharmacist option (yes, not your cup of tea) - my GPA has a shot (not too long of a shot, but not a sure thing either), but another 4 years plus ridiculous tuition - I'll be a very broke thirty-something after I graduate.

Med Lab Tech program is competitive, but not so bad. I'm pretty sure I have a good chance of getting into it. Most of the students in the program that I've talked to through open house and what not actually have B.Sc. The number of students straight from high school is usually in the single digits. I was comforted by a student who told me not to worry about being old in the program! *laughs*

Diagnostic Cytology is another story since they only take in 12 people out of the 250 that apply. Genetics Technology is even tougher to get into (there are lots of genetics students out there).

Pharmacy would be awesome! Starting salary is good enough that loans shouldn't be a problem. As long as they lend you enough for you to make it through school, I think it'd be worth it if that's what you want to do. Though, I do admit that $12,000/year of tuition is ridiculous.

Personally, I wouldn't let age be an issue unless you've got a family to feed/raise. Career changes are normal. I think the most important part is being proud of what you're doing. Of course, this is my young idealistic self talking. Wishful, but nice.

[nalababe]

Keep in mind that there is considerable demand for MLT's. Hospitals are currently desperate as a large number of current MLTs are close to retirement. There are many hospitals that are now offering signing bonuses to attact MLTs...there is a huge demand NA wide.

You want the Technologist not the technician.

Consider the college programs as well. These are the same programs as the Mitchner (the mitchner was started for a different purpose). As for MLT's. Many already have degrees, yes, but there are many that I know that are successful with the College program.

FWIW, current trend is to move most midsize or larger hospital labs to automation...until recently, hospitals like Brantford or Toronto East would have been though of too small for Autmating Chemistry/IA/Coag/Hematology...but technology has changed and the threshold is lowering.

What this means is that someone with a high degree of comfort with the MLT side and very comfortable with computers will be in even higher demand as the automation systems all require middleware/linecontrol stations.

As a final thought, a few years as a successful MLT showing strong abilities with equipment is a great way to get hired by the Diagnostic companies (again, this is how we hire our Techincal Specialists: the troubleshooters, trainers etc). When I was in the role, I believe that I was the only technical specialist who did not have a MLT designation.

[xOnic_]

I am definitely interested in this field in the future, but i was just wondering about the wages. So far, i gather average wage per hour is $30/h - $40k/year, anyone got more accurate figures since this field is indeed in demand. Also, does the program also include phlebotomy?

[nalababe]

I cannot speak for actual wages at each institution; however, I can say that with a few years experience 50-70k is very possible...add overtime and you can earn more.

Now, it can be repetitive...no question.

It can also be a job where you work your shift and that is it. For some, a midnight shift is great...for others, a morning or evening is better....

As I have said before, it is a great "in" to the instrument companies (roche, abbott, Siemens, Beckman etc...).

[stevethewheel]

I worked in a research lab for about 2 years and I would look through 100-200 protein sequences every day then organize the results. It was very dry and very repetitive work, but being in a small lab with people I got along was made it fun. So I think the most important thing I'd like to get out of a career as a MLT would be to be able to work in a small group environment and enjoy it.

You are prepared for the "worst" the job has to offer and you're OK with it. That's great. Many MLT jobs are like that.....but there are quite a few that are better or lead to something better down the road.

Taking the technology program is worth it, you'll get more theory and be better prepared to get away from the bench routine.

[nalababe]

In Alberta, salary ranged from $40,500 to $82,100 a year. The average salary was $61,300 a year. [Source]
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care in Ontario: $954.62 - $1,090.18 (MplusM) per week [Source]

If you want more detailed information about salaries, go to job boards and you can see how much they're offering relative to the amount of experience required. Regardless, 40k for a college diploma isn't bad.

Yes, the medical laboratory technologist position includes phlebotomy. You start off practicing on your peers (in turn, your peers practice on you!).

If anyone wants to PM, I can provide more info from a outside eye position....again I work with MLT's daily and we hire MLT's routinely.....

[mmhassa2]

Just a off topic question....I have a friend who goes to Michener. I was wondering those who graduate does your certificate really come from UofT? She mentioned it's part of UofT and when you do graduate you are seen as a UofT graduate...can anyone confirm this?

[kayoko]

Just a off topic question....I have a friend who goes to Michener. I was wondering those who graduate does your certificate really come from UofT? She mentioned it's part of UofT and when you do graduate you are seen as a UofT graduate...can anyone confirm this?

I believe your friend is in the Radiological Technology program which is a joint degree-diploma from UofT and Michener. One of the more competitive programs to get into, students of the program graduate with a degree from UofT and a diploma from Michener. So, to answer you question, you friend would be a graduate of both UofT and Michener.

Although note that the rad tech program is unique in this aspect. Most, if not all, other programs at Michener only result in a diploma or advanced diploma.

Dang, I must really like Michener to know this much off the top of my head. LOL.

[cyrene]

Dang, I must really like Michener to know this much off the top of my head. LOL.

kayoko, you can probably work for Michener part-time as a recruitment officer or student adviser!

[kayoko]

kayoko, you can probably work for Michener part-time as a recruitment officer or student adviser!

I should totally nominate myself for a recruitment officer position.

[quirkybun]

I cannot speak for actual wages at each institution; however, I can say that with a few years experience 50-70k is very possible...add overtime and you can earn more.

Now, it can be repetitive...no question.

It can also be a job where you work your shift and that is it. For some, a midnight shift is great...for others, a morning or evening is better....

As I have said before, it is a great "in" to the instrument companies (roche, abbott, Siemens, Beckman etc...).

Hey, I'm in the Rad Tech program at Michener and just from chatting with people in the MLT program here I have a feeling that you've been mislead. I certainly couldn't tell you for sure, but I've heard that the max you could possibly make with an MLT diploma is 50k/yr at management level. So But if what you're saying is true, then I'm definately in the wrong program. Maybe I'm biased but I think that even though the Rad Tech and other MRS programs might take a bit longer than the MLT program (MRS programs are 3 yrs), your career will be much more satisfying and you will most likely be paid more. I mean, 1 yr is not that big of a difference esp when you would be increasing your salary by substantial percentage.