Michener Institute - Med Lab Tech

[mmhassa2]

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.

Thanks but she specifically mentioned she's taking the Med lab tech program and said she gets a degree from UofT. (I went to work with her one day and I think she tests blood, urine and etc. that comes in) So is this what you would once you graduate from the med lab tech program?

[samm]

Thanks but she specifically mentioned she's taking the Med lab tech program and said she gets a degree from UofT. (I went to work with her one day and I think she tests blood, urine and etc. that comes in) So is this what you would once you graduate from the med lab tech program?

i do not know of a school that offers a degree in MLT. and yes, when you graduate as a MLT, your would be asked to test blood, urine, stool, and all that good stuff. MLT at michener is very very competitive.

[mmhassa2]

i do not know of a school that offers a degree in MLT. and yes, when you graduate as a MLT, your would be asked to test blood, urine, stool, and all that good stuff. MLT at michener is very very competitive.

Hmm I guess she's trying to convince me she'll get a degree. I thought the same that this program should not be giving out a degree AND a diploma. Thanks for confirming guys....I'm going to ask now with more knowledge

[samm]

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.

being in the MRSc program at McMaster/Mohawk, i would say the increase in salary comes with a price, your health. and the MRS program at michener is 3 years, but you need to take a year in life science at UT prior. so doesnt that mean, a full year of chem and bio?

[kayoko]

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.

The amount of compensation surely varies with where you are in Canada, whether you're in a public or private institution and other benefits. For example, take a look at this current job listing at CSMLS. It already disproves your theory of maximum being 50k as it states "Up to $65K + Perks + Car Allowance". I'm sure if you're worth, you can bargain for more and they'd give it to you.

Satisfaction on the job is a personal thing so it's rather difficult to say that one job is better than the other.

Perhaps your starting salary as a MRS is more, but someone with a MLT diploma could go get certified for Diagnostic Cytology or Genetics Technology and have a starting salary of 50K-70k (as per the little info sheet Michener gave out at their open house). Likewise, someone with MRS could go back for 6 months and do MRI studies and get a salary jump that way.

So, it's not like there's no way to make good money as a MLT, it may just take some time and may include a jump into the medical device industry.

[kayoko]

i do not know of a school that offers a degree in MLT. and yes, when you graduate as a MLT, your would be asked to test blood, urine, stool, and all that good stuff. MLT at michener is very very competitive.

Strangely enough, I stumbled upon this when I was searching for MLT job postings. Apparently, they offer a B.Sc degree in Med Lab at University of Ontario Institute of Technology.

Never heard of them, but hey, it's an option.

[nalababe]

Strangely enough, I stumbled upon this when I was searching for MLT job postings. Apparently, they offer a B.Sc degree in Med Lab at University of Ontario Institute of Technology.

Never heard of them, but hey, it's an option.

They have been around for a while and a number of their instructors work for either Pickering or Oshawa core labs. I believe that there is also a B.Sc. MLT program in BC...though I cannot recall the school.

[quirkybun]

The amount of compensation surely varies with where you are in Canada, whether you're in a public or private institution and other benefits. For example, take a look at this current job listing at CSMLS. It already disproves your theory of maximum being 50k as it states "Up to $65K + Perks + Car Allowance". I'm sure if you're worth, you can bargain for more and they'd give it to you.

Satisfaction on the job is a personal thing so it's rather difficult to say that one job is better than the other.

Perhaps your starting salary as a MRS is more, but someone with a MLT diploma could go get certified for Diagnostic Cytology or Genetics Technology and have a starting salary of 50K-70k (as per the little info sheet Michener gave out at their open house). Likewise, someone with MRS could go back for 6 months and do MRI studies and get a salary jump that way.

So, it's not like there's no way to make good money as a MLT, it may just take some time and may include a jump into the medical device industry.

Alright, maybe I was wrong to say that it's impossible to make more than 50k a year as an MLT. But I wouldn't be conviced that that was the norm. Consider the ratio of REGIONAL CLINICAL MANAGERS to your everyday MLTs in Canada. Your average MLT without any additional training is not likely to make such a sweet salary. Be realistic. Like I said, I'm not the expert. I would just suggest doing more research and talking to real MLTs to find out what to really expect. 65k salary for an MLT seems like wishful thinking. I'm not trying to argue, and I don't mean to offend anyone here, all I'm saying is that you should probably check out a more reliable source than the internet if you don't want to be dissapointed.

And you're right about job satisfaction. It's totally subjective.

[quirkybun]

being in the MRSc program at McMaster/Mohawk, i would say the increase in salary comes with a price, your health. and the MRS program at michener is 3 years, but you need to take a year in life science at UT prior. so doesnt that mean, a full year of chem and bio?

The increase in salary is not to compensate for any detriment to your health. The increase in salary is due to a greater pool of skills and responsibilities. A lot of people believe that being in MRS is dangerous because you're working with ionizing radiation. Yes ionizing radiation is dangerous, but you are working with a very small and controlled amount of radiation and you are not going to be exposed to it. You might be exposed to a small amount if you're doing mobile x-rays (the kind where you bring the machine to a patient's bed if they can't come down to the x-ray department) or fluoro in the OR if you're not careful. In reality, if you're careful you'll receive virtually no radiation. People are always worried about x-rays, but they'll jump on a plane and go tanning without a worry. Rad tech is very safe. I don't blame you for thinking that it's a dangerous field, it certainly does have the potential to be dangerous but generally that is just a misrepresentation of the field.

And yes, you do need a year of uni with bio, physics and calc (no chem). But assuming that you already have those prerequisites, it's only 1 more year than MLT.

[kasianman]

btw emails are coming in from Michener Institute
It seems as they've finished assessing my application and the first round of offer should come by end of the month.

[kayoko]

btw emails are coming in from Michener Institute
It seems as they've finished assessing my application and the first round of offer should come by end of the month.

Did you get an email regarding the "Statement of Intent" to continue the application for MLT? I got one for my Diagnostic Cytology application, but not the MLT one. At least, not yet.

[cyrene]

Since there were a few posts regarding rad tech vs. MLT salary: The Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists website has posted a salary scale for unionized positions of rad tech, rad therapists, etc. across Canada:

http://www.camrt.ca/english/career/SalaryScale.asp


If there's one for the MLTs or for other similar health professions, please post.

Of course, potential salary is only part of what makes a person goes for one program vs. another.

[kasianman]

Did you get an email regarding the "Statement of Intent" to continue the application for MLT? I got one for my Diagnostic Cytology application, but not the MLT one. At least, not yet.

yes I received one for MLT

I also applied to different program in Michener.
Would sending "state of intent" void application to the other program?

[kayoko]

yes I received one for MLT

I also applied to different program in Michener.
Would sending "state of intent" void application to the other program?

I don't see why it would void an application like that.

Although, my concern is about waiting lists as I'm currently on one. They never said anything about voiding my application should I choose to accept another program. They just tell you that you can terminate your wait listed spot any time until September 21st.

Yeah, didn't make it into diagnostic cytology.

[cyrene]

Yeah, didn't make it into diagnostic cytology.

Sorry to hear about that, kayoko. Hopefully whichever program you will be in next September will work out great for you down the road anyways...

I just read the McMaster Rad Sci thread which you posted that you were accepted to before...I'm also considering MRT now but more the college route instead of a degree, thinking I do prefer moving around and interacting with patients even though they are sick, and I'm not into working graveyard Although MLT is still an interesting option. Anyways, it will be for Sept 2009 admission anyways, so I will be thinking about it for a few more months!