Student wearing a lab coat and looking into microscope

Program Explorer

Medical Laboratory Sciences

This program has an application deadline of March 1

Protect and promote patient health with precise and accurate laboratory analysis.

Develop specialized medical laboratory skills and learn to provide patient-centred care and support by analyzing blood, tissues and bodily fluids.

Primary care givers rely on precise laboratory results to diagnose patients and inform treatment.

The Medical Laboratory Sciences program provides you with the professional knowledge, skills and practical experience you need to succeed in these dynamic clinical laboratory settings.

Through this program, you will explore five disciplines: Clinical Chemistry, Hematology, Histotechnology, Clinical Microbiology and Transfusion Science. You will learn to take blood, process samples, use complex laboratory instruments, provide quality results and participate in delivering excellent patient care through a variety of technical and communication skills.

This program prepares you to become a certified medical laboratory technologist. Medical Laboratory Sciences students develop the skills and knowledge they need to challenge the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) exam, a requirement for all medical laboratory technologists in Manitoba.

  • Program Type
    Full-time
  • Credential
    Advanced Diploma
  • Program Delivery
    In-person hybrid
  • In-person Location
    Notre Dame Campus
  • Intake
    Fall
  • Program Length
    28 months
  • Total Tuition / Fees for Courses
    $12,700 – $14,100
  • How to Enrol
    Application required
  • Application Type
    Competitive admission
  • Application Deadline
    March 1
  • Work-Integrated Learning
    Gain hands-on experience with real work opportunities
  • Indigenous Pathway
    Program pathway available to Indigenous learners

Experience a Polytechnic Education

Full-time Delivery: Something New Every Term

In this program, you’ll combine in-depth theoretical study with applied learning and complete a year-long clinical practicum delivered at Canadian Blood Services and various laboratories throughout Manitoba.

TERM 1

Explore the fundamental medical science, laboratory and communication skills you need to contribute to a health-care team.

TERM 2

Expand your skills with advanced courses and develop professional communication, collaboration and research skills alongside other health-sciences students.

TERM 3

Build on advanced topics and medical laboratory procedures and prepare for your clinical practicum.

TERM 4

Dive into the laboratory and integrate your past knowledge and skills with a patient-focused clinical practicum term.

Employment Potential

Prepare yourself for career success

Potential Grad CAREERS

  • Medical laboratory technologist, hospitals (Shared Health, Manitoba)
  • Medical laboratory technologist, Canadian Blood Services
  • Medical laboratory technologist, private laboratories
  • Medical laboratory technologist, provincial and federal laboratories

AFFILIATIONS AND ACCREDITATIONS

What to Expect in This Program

Get Prepared for the Future of Work

Excel with practical learning and experienced instructors, all focused on your success. With an employer-driven education, you won’t just be ready for a career – you’ll be prepared to stay in front of what’s ahead.

Instructor talking to student in lab while student holds vial of something
Collaborate with peers and expert instructors to build technical skills to provide precise and accurate patient results.
Student wearing a lab coat and looking into microscope
Explore microscopic mysteries, analyzing the critical information caregivers need to diagnose and treat patients.
Close up of person wearing latex gloves putting vials full of samples into holding container
Help advance patient care through collection, processing and testing samples.
Laboratory instrument analyzing patient samples
Build crucial work experience and use state-of-the-art laboratory instruments to safely and accurately analyze patient samples.

Graduate Success

Medical Laboratory Sciences graduates are confidently working in specialized positions across the health-care industry. RRC Polytech grads are recognized as highly versatile professionals, ready to provide excellent patient care through blood, fluid and tissue sample analysis.

The statistics below represent the opinions and employment statuses of this program’s recent grads. They were retrieved from the 2019-2020 RRC Polytech Graduate Satisfaction and Employment Report.

Student wearing a lab coat and testing samples contained within vial

100% – NEW GRADS HIRED

RRC Polytech’s Medical Laboratory Sciences program is the only one of its kind in Manitoba. With our focus on applied learning and industry partnerships, you’ll have everything you need to achieve your career goals and take advantage of the increasing demand for medical laboratory technologists.

100% – SATISFIED WITH RRC POLYTECH EDUCATION

RRC Polytech programs provide practical, up-to-date course content, ensuring you thrive in the classroom and excel in the workplace. Through a practicum placement opportunity, you’ll engage with industry, connect to employers and gain real work experience – all while you study.

Student wearing a lab coat and looking into microscope
Smiling student wearing safety glasses in a lab

$58K – AVERAGE NEW GRAD SALARY

RRC Polytech graduates develop versatile industry-standard skills, in-depth knowledge and a passion for lifelong learning. As a grad, you’ll have the experience you need to quickly start your career, adapt to new technologies, pursue exciting opportunities and become a critical part of any team.

“I highly recommend anyone interested in entering the medical profession to consider a career in medical laboratory sciences with training at RRC Polytech.”

Denise Fudge – Quality and Development Technologist, Biochemistry
Shared Health

“The training was intense, especially when I was also a mom with two young children, but I was well supported academically. [T]he instructors and the school care about student’s success.”

Wenyan Xiao – Medical Laboratory Technologist, Genomics
Shared Health

“RRC Polytech provided me with the job-specific training required for fast-paced medical labs and encouraged me to get involved with my professional associations to help advocate for the industry.”

Melanie Couture – Field Application Specialist
Roche Diagnostics

Who Should Enrol?

Turn your talents into academic success

As a Medical Laboratory Sciences student, you are passionate about medicine and technology. You enjoy solving intricate problems using advanced instruments and data analysis techniques. As a medical laboratory technologist, you want to work behind the scenes to solve medical mysteries, support patients and advance medical knowledge.

Students that excel in this program often share these interests, skills and personality traits.

PERSONALITY TRAITS

  • Adaptable
  • Critical thinker
  • Detail-oriented
  • Ethical
  • Team-oriented

SKILLS

  • Communication
  • Integrity
  • Organization
  • Problem solving
  • Troubleshooting

INTERESTS

  • Science
  • Healthcare
  • Research
  • Instrumentation

All the Information You Need

MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION

Woman sitting in computer lab

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Ensure signup goes smoothly and understand program requirements before registering. Review required documents and procedures to make sure you’re prepared to enter this program.

Exterior of RRC Polytech building

LOCATION, DATES AND FEES

Start planning with peace of mind and get the information you need on one easy-to-find page. Review start dates, locations, book and equipment costs and program fees.

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SCHOLARSHIPS

Celebrate and motivate your learning. Whether you’ve sprinted through the first term or just received your acceptance letter, find a variety of bursaries, scholarships and awards.

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OTHER INFORMATION

Explore our Catalogue for more detailed information, including a program outline, course descriptions and everything you’ll need to plan and prepare for your future success.

Exterior of RRC Polytech building

DATES AND FEES

Start preparing with peace of mind. View information about courses and sections, including locations, delivery methods and costs. It only takes minutes to register and further your future.

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LIST OF COURSES

Plan out your preferred learning journey. Review a summary of this program’s courses to discover what you’ll learn and how an RRC Polytech education will help your career.

Woman sitting in computer lab

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Ensure signup goes smoothly and understand program requirements before registering. Review required documents and procedures to make sure you’re prepared to enter this program.

Person browsing the RRC Polytech website

OTHER INFORMATION

Explore our Catalogue for more detailed information, including a program outline, course descriptions and everything you’ll need to plan and prepare for your future success.

Begin Your Journey

Get Started with RRC Polytech

Start Your Application

Your future is within reach, and we’re here to help you achieve it. Experience industry-focused opportunities available at RRC Polytech and develop the knowledge and skills to grow, lead and excel in your future career.

Funding Your Education

Support yourself while pursuing your RRC Polytech education. You may be eligible for loans, grants and scholarships to help tackle your financial needs.

Future Student Events

Explore our upcoming information sessions and events to learn more about our programs and to get your questions answered.

RRC Polytech campuses are located on the lands of Anishinaabe, Ininiwak, Anishininew, Dakota, and Dené, and the National Homeland of the Red River Métis.

We recognize and honour Treaty 3 Territory Shoal Lake 40 First Nation, the source of Winnipeg’s clean drinking water. In addition, we acknowledge Treaty Territories which provide us with access to electricity we use in both our personal and professional lives.

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