Flexible Pathways to Registration for Medical Laboratory Technologists

The Canadian Alliance of Medical Laboratory Professionals Regulators (CAMLPR) announced that with the support of the Government of Canada it is taking steps to speed up and enhance the registration of medical laboratory technologists (MLTs). The project, undertaken on behalf of the provincial regulatory bodies, will help address an anticipated shortage of MLTs over the next ten years, helping to achieve one of the government’s overall objectives: increasing the supply of qualified health professionals in Canada.

“Canada’s healthcare system is facing serious labour shortages and the federal government is focused on removing barriers for medical professionals who want to work in Canada.” said Minister of Employment, Workforce development and Disability Inclusion, Carla Qualtrough. “CAMLPR’s project will help to address the demand for more medical laboratory technologists across Canada. We are supporting their efforts through the Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program and are making it easier for healthcare providers to ensure Canadians have access to the care they need, when they need it.”

CAMLPR will be investigating the use of multiple pathways for entry to practice for both internationally and domestically prepared applicants. The Flexible Pathways to Registration for Medical Laboratory Technologists (MLT) project entails developing an online portal for internationally educated MLTs and Canadian-educated applicants whose education does not qualify them through the current process; developing entry- to-practice competencies to ensure they reflect current laboratory workplace requirements; and streamlining the registration process for individuals whose background and preparation equip them to work as MLTs in their field(s) of practice as jurisdictional legislation allows.

“Better health care for Canadians means supporting our health workers so patients receive timely access to health services they deserve.” Said Minister of Health, Jean Yves Duclos. “This project complements our work to strengthen our health care system with provinces and territories by increasing the number of qualified medical laboratory technologists across Canada. With measures like this, we can help get better health outcomes for everyone.”

“Canada’s health sector, in which Medical Laboratory Technologists play a crucial role, is experiencing a significant shortage of workers,” explained Janice Jones, CAMLPR’s Board Chair who is the Registrar of the Nova Scotia College of Medical Laboratory Technologists (NSCMLT), the professional regulatory body responsible for the registration of Medical Laboratory Technologists within Nova Scotia. “CAMLPR is taking steps to accelerate and smooth entry to practice in Canada to help address the shortage of MLTs by increasing the supply of qualified specialists within the MLT fields of practice.”

Adam Chrobak, CAMLPR’s Vice-Chair and the Registrar of The College of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Manitoba (CMLTM), said, “Developing these competency standards for the profession will ensure that new registrants possess the knowledge required to provide safe practice. CAMLPR will be engaging key stakeholders and subject matter experts to establish a consistent and high-quality process.” Work to ensure that competency standards are up to date is already underway, led by Directions Evidence and Policy Research Group. Directions has led similar projects in the fields of pharmacy, speech language pathology and audiology, social work, and education.

Work to ensure that competency standards are up to date is already underway, led by Directions Evidence and Policy Research Group. Directions has led similar projects in the fields of pharmacy, speech language pathology and audiology, social work, and education.