Lab Technician Medical

[lame23]

Hi,

After 2 years of nursing I'd decided that its not the right career path for me so im considering Lab Technician instead. I would like to know which public college/university in toronto has the best lab tech program? Also can anyone recommend any types of job that I can go into that is related to healtcare/medical and where I can use the courses/knowledge from nursing ( for transfer credits). I have looked at the michener program but it seems the acceptance is too competitive..any suggestions is appreciated. TIA

[nalababe]

Hi,

After 2 years of nursing I'd decided that its not the right career path for me so im considering Lab Technician instead. I would like to know which public college/university in toronto has the best lab tech program? Also can anyone recommend any types of job that I can go into that is related to healtcare/medical and where I can use the courses/knowledge from nursing ( for transfer credits). I have looked at the michener program but it seems the acceptance is too competitive..any suggestions is appreciated. TIA

From someone in the diagnostics industry, the most common is Michener. Then the college programs. Most people we hire are from the michener who then have lab experience.

From nursing, why not look into Point of Care. Some of the POCT managers (or start lower) at the local hospitals have a alternate experiences like nursing...why, because for things like glucometers, scalp pH, blood gas, it is the nurses that run these tests....

[lame23]

From someone in the diagnostics industry, the most common is Michener. Then the college programs. Most people we hire are from the michener who then have lab experience.

From nursing, why not look into Point of Care. Some of the POCT managers (or start lower) at the local hospitals have a alternate experiences like nursing...why, because for things like glucometers, scalp pH, blood gas, it is the nurses that run these tests....

Thank you for the comments, i might look into "point of care", does this require a degree or the 2years college deiploma.certificate enough...also im guessing your a lab technician, how hard is the program at michener? thank you again.,

[kasianman]

I would go with Michener, but try to apply elsewhere as well for lab technology program. I think Queens U may have it (I remember someone who has been in a joint bachelor of science/lab technology program)? I'm not too sure, but if you go to OUAC, you should be able to see which programs are offered by the univerisities.

The program at Michener is for medical lab technologist

Huge difference in terms of what you do, how much you get paid and your responsibilities. Technicians work under technologists. Length of the program is 2.5 years I believe.

I was accepted to the program, but I decided to give up the seat for another person interested in the program in order for me to pursue a bachelor's degree in nursing.

Check out the thread on Michener med lab technologist
http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=558791

60 people out of +600 applicants were accepted.

[kayoko]

Hi,

After 2 years of nursing I'd decided that its not the right career path for me so im considering Lab Technician instead. I would like to know which public college/university in toronto has the best lab tech program? Also can anyone recommend any types of job that I can go into that is related to healtcare/medical and where I can use the courses/knowledge from nursing ( for transfer credits). I have looked at the michener program but it seems the acceptance is too competitive..any suggestions is appreciated. TIA

In your situation, definitely look into the other programs at Michener. But be prepared, most of them are 3 years unless you're good enough to get into the advanced diploma. It's definitely worth it in the end because you're almost guaranteed a job out there. They only take as many students as they think the labor market can incorporate.

You probably won't get very many transfer credits from the Med Lab program. Just keep in mind that programs at Michener are VERY tailored to the career. They're teaching you to process specimens, look at people's feet for abnormalities or even how to take x-rays. Something different from nursing so while you may get out of some courses, it won't make the program any shorter. But don't worry, we have people from all walks of life so you'll find someone in your age group.

In my experience, the general MLT program was not very competitive (at least nothing like the advance diplomas: genetics technology and diagnostic cytology). They only cared about your high school marks. Nothing else, no references, no resume, nothing. I think as long as you hit 80+ in high school, then you're good. I can't speak for other programs, but if you're interested, just try for them! If your marks were good enough for nursing, I'm sure you'll have a good chance of getting into any program at Michener. You never know until you try.

This is information I got from the instructors after I entered the program. Out of the 48 students who wrote the licensing exam for the general MLT's last year, only one person failed the exam. That is the quality of students that they're churning out at Michener.

[lame23]

I would go with Michener, but try to apply elsewhere as well for lab technology program. I think Queens U may have it (I remember someone who has been in a joint bachelor of science/lab technology program)? I'm not too sure, but if you go to OUAC, you should be able to see which programs are offered by the univerisities.

The program at Michener is for medical lab technologist

Huge difference in terms of what you do, how much you get paid and your responsibilities. Technicians work under technologists. Length of the program is 2.5 years I believe.

I was accepted to the program, but I decided to give up the seat for another person interested in the program in order for me to pursue a bachelor's degree in nursing.

Check out the thread on Michener med lab technologist
http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=558791

60 people out of +600 applicants were accepted.

Wow I guess were the opposite then, I have givene up (or lost interest) in the bachelors nurisng program (ive finished 2 years and decided to take a yer off and most likely will not come back) and im looking at other options in the health care industry..... thanks for the link and to kayoko, how hard it the program at michener, did you have a part-time job while still in school?

[kayoko]

and to kayoko, how hard it the program at michener, did you have a part-time job while still in school?

Well, I've only finished the first month of the program so I can only say so much. Like I said in the other thread, the program is as "hard" as you make it out to be. I've been told by the instructors that only a couple of students ever make a 90+ average in first year. By the time second year rolls around, no one really scores a 90 average. Does that make the program hard? Depends on how you want to perform. Once you're in the program, they want you to stay in and will approach you if you're on the borderline pass/fail (passing mark is 60-65%).

Another thing to keep in mind is that most of the programs have a licensing exam in order to practice. Thus, it doesn't really matter how you do in the theory component at school. You simply have to pass the exam to get a job. Although, a number of students are offered jobs before graduate or write the exam.

At the moment, I do not have a part time job. My financial situation allows me to stay like this for at least this year. However, there are a lot of people in my class who do have part-time jobs. With the current amount of coursework in first semester, you should be able to work a 15 hour job without really sacrificing your studying time (as long as you have excellent time management skills). As you move further in the program, you probably have to start sacrificing some studying time for the part-time job.

Another thing, don't feel intimidated by the sheer number of applications. I'm pretty sure a lot of the candidates don't have all the requirements but apply anyways. Or, there are people who give up their spots due to personal circumstances or they apply to multiple programs. A good chunk of my class applied to the advanced diplomas but didn't get in (including myself).

To be honest, there's no better place to get into healthcare (excluding medical school, nursing, pharmacy or dentistry) than at Michener. The environment is like high school so it's small and cozy. You know most of the people in your class and the teachers are here cause they want to teach you. It's a small school but the school churns out quality students.

Try to make it to that open house! You'll learn a lot more about the program and they'll be able to give you a better idea of how difficult it is to get into the program(s).

[lame23]

Well, I've only finished the first month of the program so I can only say so much. Like I said in the other thread, the program is as "hard" as you make it out to be. I've been told by the instructors that only a couple of students ever make a 90+ average in first year. By the time second year rolls around, no one really scores a 90 average. Does that make the program hard? Depends on how you want to perform. Once you're in the program, they want you to stay in and will approach you if you're on the borderline pass/fail (passing mark is 60-65%).

Another thing to keep in mind is that most of the programs have a licensing exam in order to practice. Thus, it doesn't really matter how you do in the theory component at school. You simply have to pass the exam to get a job. Although, a number of students are offered jobs before graduate or write the exam.

At the moment, I do not have a part time job. My financial situation allows me to stay like this for at least this year. However, there are a lot of people in my class who do have part-time jobs. With the current amount of coursework in first semester, you should be able to work a 15 hour job without really sacrificing your studying time (as long as you have excellent time management skills). As you move further in the program, you probably have to start sacrificing some studying time for the part-time job.

Another thing, don't feel intimidated by the sheer number of applications. I'm pretty sure a lot of the candidates don't have all the requirements but apply anyways. Or, there are people who give up their spots due to personal circumstances or they apply to multiple programs. A good chunk of my class applied to the advanced diplomas but didn't get in (including myself).

To be honest, there's no better place to get into healthcare (excluding medical school, nursing, pharmacy or dentistry) than at Michener. The environment is like high school so it's small and cozy. You know most of the people in your class and the teachers are here cause they want to teach you. It's a small school but the school churns out quality students.

Try to make it to that open house! You'll learn a lot more about the program and they'll be able to give you a better idea of how difficult it is to get into the program(s).
Thanks for the input...i will definitely go the open house but for the mean time...do you have a link to course outlines, I cant seem to find it in the michener website..