Medical Laboratory Assisting

Certificate

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With a focus on hands-on learning and real-world experience, NAIT's Medical Laboratory Assisting program is the perfect fit for anyone looking to start a fulfilling career in healthcare.

As a student in our program, you'll gain valuable experience in specimen collection and analysis, basic lab procedures, performance of electrocardiograms (ECGs), phlebotomy, urinalysis, data entry, and clerical/reception services. Plus, you'll have the opportunity to complete a 7-week clinical laboratory practicum with a clinical partner in Edmonton, Wainwright, Westlock, Camrose or surrounding community. After graduation, you will be career ready and prepared to take on the role of the “face of the lab” in public and private healthcare facilities, interacting with technologists, physicians and the public.

As healthcare facilities continue to expand and evolve, the need for skilled medical lab assistants has only grown. With our Medical Laboratory Assisting program, you can develop the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in this in-demand field.

Upcoming Intakes

Select your preferred intake to see relevant program information. Program details, including tuition and course information, may vary by intake.

Selection Start Date Delivery Mode Time Campus Length Domestic Status International Status
Sep. 02, 2025 (Fall) Hybrid Weekdays - Daytime Main 22 Weeks (Full-time) Waitlisting N/A
  Jan. 08, 2026 (Winter) Hybrid Weekdays - Daytime Main 22 Weeks (Full-time) Open N/A
Jan. 08, 2026 (Winter) Hybrid Evenings & Weekends Main 37 Weeks (Part-time) Open N/A
 
             
 

Swipe table to view more information for each intake.

Delivery Mode

  • In-person - All your class activity will be delivered in person, on campus.
  • Online - All your class activity will be delivered online.
  • Hybrid - Your classes will be a mixture of in person and online learning. You must be able to come to campus and participate remotely online.
  • Your choice - Your program offers a variety of class delivery options (in person, online, or a mixture of both) and you can select which type of classes to take. If you wish, you can complete your entire program either in-person or online.
  • HyFlex - All your classes are delivered for simultaneous participation in person and online. You can choose daily to attend your classes in person or join remotely online.

Time

  • Your choice - You can select class times and days that fit your schedule. There are a variety of class options for you to choose from including daytime, evening, weekdays or weekends.
  • No set time - No set class days or times, content is access on-demand. You can complete your studies on your own schedule within the scheduled class dates; may have set due dates and deadlines.
  • Evenings & Weekends - Classes are scheduled after 5 p.m. on weekdays or anytime on weekends.
  • Weekdays - Daytime - Classes are scheduled on weekdays, typically start before 6 p.m.
  • Weekdays - Evening - Classes are scheduled on weekdays, typically start after 6 p.m.
  • Weekends - Classes are scheduled on Saturdays and Sundays.

Campus

Any in-person components of your courses will be delivered at this campus location.

View Campus Map

Length

  • Full-Time - This is the standard length to complete the program, with a full course load per term.
  • Part-Time - Students follow a structured schedule of classes so they can progress in their studies part-time while balancing everyday life.

Domestic Status

The program availability status for domestic applications is updated as applications are reviewed and assessed. Program availability is subject to change without notice.

  • Open - Program intake is accepting applications. If you apply and are qualified, you may be offered admission or be waitlisted. Open does not guarantee a seat.
  • Waitlisting - Program intake is accepting applications, but qualified applicants will be placed on a waitlist.
  • Closed - Program intake is not accepting applications.
  • Upcoming - Applications will open soon for this intake. View the upcoming terms for open dates.
  • N/A - Not available for this intake.

International Status

The program availability status for international applications is updated as applications are reviewed and assessed. Program availability is subject to change without notice.

  • Open - Program intake is accepting applications. If you apply and are qualified, you may be offered admission or be waitlisted. Open does not guarantee a seat.
  • Limited - For international applicants, the program intake is now only available if you already have a valid study permit.
  • Waitlisting - Program intake is accepting applications, but qualified applicants will be placed on a waitlist.
  • Closed - Program intake is not accepting applications.
  • Upcoming - Applications will open soon for this intake. View the upcoming terms for open dates.
  • N/A - Not available for this intake.

Credit programs that accept international applicants also meet the eligibility for the Post-Graduation Work Permit program, including programs with a Hybrid delivery mode. Each student is responsible for maintaining their eligibility throughout their studies.

Hands-on, industry-relevant training

As part of the health-care team, Medical Laboratory Assistants are trained in the collection of specimens from the patient, the initial processing and preparation of specimens for analysis, data entry, performance of phlebotomy and ECGs, urinalysis, specified basic laboratory procedures, and the laboratory information system (LIS).

In the program, students learn how to provide quality patient care by being introduced to

  • How to work safety in a level II containment laboratory
  • The process of collection of specimens for analysis
  • How to procure quality laboratory specimens for analysis
  • How to think critically, to communicate, and to collaborate professionally
  • The professional responsibility of an MLA, including scope of practice, ethics, accountability, and professional development

Open Studies Pathway

You now have an additional pathway to the School of Health and Life Sciences at NAIT. Complete one or more select Open Studies courses to be guaranteed a program entrance interview.

Semester 1

Semester 1 of the Medical Laboratory Assisting program begins every September and January, and consists of 15 weeks of classroom instruction with related practical laboratory sessions on NAIT Main Campus.

Semester 2

Semester 2 consists of 7 weeks of Work Integrated Learning (WIL) at an affiliated training site in Edmonton, Grande Prairie, Wetaskiwin, Wainwright, Westlock, Camrose and surrounding areas throughout Alberta. WIL provides practical experience in a variety of clinical settings. Emphasis is placed on practical application of concepts studied at NAIT and on development of organizational and professionalism skills.

International Applicants

Some NAIT programs are unavailable to international students because they do not meet eligibility for a study permit or Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). 

  • Study Permit: This program is a credit certificate and meets the criteria for a study permit and a co-op work permit. 
  • Co-Op Permit: International students enrolled in this program must complete a Clinical Placement. As such, you must apply for a co-op work permit and receive approval before the start of your work placement.
  • Post-Graduation Work Permit: This program is too short to meet the requirements for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). Completion of this program will not make you eligible for a PGWP.

International applicants seeking permissions to take this program can contact a NAIT Academic Advisor – International to discuss options.

What you need to know about Structured Part-Time Pathways

Structured Part-time Learning allows you pursue your post-secondary studies while balancing your everyday life.
*Only certain programs are offered on a structured part-time basis. 

Set course schedule 

This program’s part-time learning follows a structured and set schedule. While intensive, this structured schedule means that your program will pre-determine and set your course schedule to ensure you can progress in the program in a part-time format.  

Typically, you’ll take 2 to 3 courses per term. You can review the Courses and Advanced Credit tab to see the part-time structure for this program.

Financial aid and funding 

There are different financial aid applications for full-time and part-time studies; the amount of student aid fund you can receive is affected by your course load. Review your student aid options or learn more by contacting financialaid@nait.ca. 

Impact on Scholarships and Bursaries 

Most scholarships, bursaries and awards offered by NAIT have course load requirements that will make students in structured part-time learning programs ineligible. To qualify for bursaries, you must have at least a 60% course load in a given term, while an 80% course load is required for scholarships. 

International students are ineligible 

International students with a study permit who take part-time learning cannot work during their studies and do not qualify for a post-graduation work permit after finishing their program.  

Instead of part-time learning, we recommend that international students choose a full-time intake of this program or one of NAIT’s many other program options. This way, you can study at NAIT while ensuring your eligibility to work and qualify for a post-graduation work permit.

If you’re interested in this program option, be sure to select the "Structured Part-time Learning" when you apply online.

Career Outcomes

As a graduate of the program, you are eligible to challenge the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science exam to obtain national certification as a medical laboratory assistant in Canada.

Please refer to the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) website to learn more about their requirements for licensing/mandatory registration and declaration of conduct, which may include disclosure of information related to criminal convictions and professional misconduct or incompetence as well as any personal factors that could impact the ability to practice safely.

Job Opportunities

Industries

  • Hospitals
  • Healthcare centres
  • Industrial process
  • Manufacturing companies
  • Research laboratories
  • Insurance companies

Median Starting Salary

The expected starting salary for individuals with a(n) Medical Laboratory Assisting  Certificate is $45,843.
This salary information was based on graduate data from the past 3 years and reflects annual salaries for graduates who claimed they were working more than 30 hours per week. Graduates who quoted salaries below $10,000 and above $200,000 per year have been excluded. Note that NAIT publishes the median salary instead of the average to minimize the potential of outlying salaries distorting the mean. Data represented here may differ from other data sources due to differences in definition or differences in timing.

Grad Employment Rate

Employment rates are reported by NAIT alumni, are for information purposes, and do not guarantee future employment opportunities. Please note that data for newer programs may not be included within this report.

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View Work Integrated Learning

Work Experience Placements

Students in this program gain valuable work experience with Work Integrated Learning (WIL). WIL is a form of experiential learning that integrates academic studies with relevant work-based learning. The WIL placement in this program is a Clinical Placement.

Clinical Placement

A Clinical Placement involves work experience under the supervision of an experienced registered or licensed professional (e.g. preceptor) in any discipline that requires practice-based work experience for professional licensure or certification. Practica are generally unpaid and the work is done in a supervised setting.

Duration 7 weeks
Compensation No
International Students Co-op Work Permit required
Placement Identified By Program Staff - Students are placed with employers by the program.
Student Interview Required No
Non-academic requirements

Immunization - General
Once accepted into the program, students must ensure their immunizations are current to the Alberta Health Services Immunization Standards. The program will contact you with specific instructions for completing the immunization requirements. If you do not meet the immunization requirements, your work integrated learning experience (clinical training) may be refused by a clinical site, and there may be restrictions to campus lab and clinic experience, which may ultimately impede your progression in the program.

Police Check
Students are required to provide a current Police Information Check (also referred to as a Security Clearance or Criminal Record Check) which must include a Vulnerable Sector Search. Please do not proceed with the Police Information Check until an offer of acceptance and follow-up instructions have been issued by the program. The Police Information Check is only considered valid when reviewed by a NAIT official within 90 days of completion. If you do not meet the police information check requirements, your work integrated learning experience (clinical training) may be refused by a clinical site, which may ultimately impede your progress in the program.

Benefits of a Clinical Placement
  • Understand more about career opportunities, expectations and requirements of the professional field
  • Gain the opportunity to apply classroom knowledge in a real-world environment
  • Create networking opportunities in your chosen industry
  • Develop and improve communication, interpersonal and employment skills
  • Gain confidence in your professional skills
  • Practice job placement skills including job search, resume preparation, interviewing
  • Explore career options and program specialization within the industry
  • Improve application for future positions by gaining industry experience and increasing your employability
  • Possibility of employment after graduation
  • Potential financial benefits if the placement is paid
What you can expect during your Clinical Placement

What you can expect during your Clinical Placement The Work Integrated Learning (WIL) experience is comprised of a 7-week clinical course. Students will rotate through various clinical departments from hospitals to patient care centers to a centralized base lab. Students can expect to work and average of 8 hours per day, five days per week and will be scheduled for a variety of daytime, evening and weekend shifts. Clinical placements are offered at an affiliated training site in Edmonton, Grande Prairie, Wetaskiwin, Westlock, Wainwright, Camrose and surrounding areas throughout Alberta. All costs associated with relocation for WIL placements are the student's responsibility.

Contact

Courses and Advanced Credit

Current and recently admitted students can find information and updates about their program on their My Program page in the MyNAIT Portal. To monitor your course progress and the courses still needed to graduate, visit your Academic Progress Report.

Advanced Credit

You may apply for advanced credit once you have been accepted into the program. Advanced credit can be Transfer Credit (for completed post-secondary courses) or PLAR (Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition).

Transfer Credit

In addition to the common guidelines outlined on the Transfer and Credit Options section, your program has other advanced credit requirements that are applied to each request including:

  • You must have completed the course or program no more than 2 year(s) ago unless a formalized articulation agreement is in place
  • You must have a minimum mark of C- in the course(s) or program

Prior Learning and Assessment Recognition (PLAR)

Please see below for the list of courses that are available for PLAR credits in this program. Please click on the specific course for more information on the evidence that is required for each course.

Read more about advanced credit or contact us about applying for credit for this program.

Tuition & Fees

This content is specific to the selected Jan 08, 2025 intake.

The tuition and fee amounts are estimates based on current academic year's rates. For financial planning purposes, please use these totals as an approximate estimate of your costs. Actual fees may vary by term and enrolment activities. Please refer to the tuition and fees page for more detailed information.

Tuition

Cost Per Credit: $187.00

View international tuition for upcoming intakes

How much does first year cost?
Domestic cost estimate
International cost estimate

Mandatory Fees

View fee listing and breakdown

Pay Your Tuition & Fees

Books, Supplies & Program Fees (est.)

Level 1 Term 1: $650
Level 1 Term 2: $650


Scholarships & Awards

NAIT awards over $6 million in scholarships and bursaries to more than 4,000 students each year, with the support of donors and the government. A variety of awards are available, including ones for academics, community involvement, equity/diversity grants, bursaries for financial need, program-specific awards and more!

Learn how to apply for awards

Admission Requirements

This content is specific to the selected Jan 08, 2025 intake.

Minimum entrance requirements

 

The specific academic requirements you must meet to be considered for admission. Where applicable, the minimum accepted Alberta high school courses are listed in round brackets ( ). Equivalent or higher-level courses are also accepted.

  • 63% in each of:

    • Grade 12 Language Arts (English 30-2)
    • Grade 11 Mathematics (Math 20-2)
    • Grade 11 Biology (Biology 20)
    • Grade 11 Chemistry (Chemistry 20)

  • Proof of English Language Proficiency

  • Online Interview - See Competitive Entrance Requirements for details. Please note, for the Winter (January) 2025 intake only, an online interview is not required.

Competitive entrance requirements

 

Admission for this program is not guaranteed by only meeting the minimum requirements, as the program has competitive entrance and/or an interview process. Learn more about competitive entrance or program interviews.

For Fall (September), applicants are shortlisted for the interview based on their academic average for the required high school courses. Last year, all applicants who met the minimum entrance requirements were offered an interview.

Final selection is based strictly on the interview scores. Applicants who are offered conditional acceptance need to maintain the academic average presented in phase 1 in order to secure final acceptance. Please refer to the Student Selection Criteria and Process for more information.

  • Online Interview for Fall:
    • The 1st round of interviews is expected to occur in January for applicants who submit their applications by November 1st.
    • If applicable, further rounds of interviews may be held in March or April.
    • The timing of your invitations will be based on when your completed application was submitted.

Please refer to the Program Interviews page or the Online Interview handout (PDF) for more information.

Due to the high volume of interviews conducted in the School of Health and Life Sciences, the programs do not provide applicants with feedback on their interview submissions.

Additional requirements & considerations

Alternative entrance pathways

 

If you are missing one or more of the minimum entrance requirements, you may be eligible for an alternative entrance pathway. For any pathway listed below, English language proficiency is also a requirement.

Applicants who meet the minimum entrance requirements and have one of the following may be given special consideration for the interview shortlist if they:

  • Have prior NAIT Health and Life Sciences credentials, or
  • Have successfully completed at least one approved Open Studies course in the School of Health and Life Sciences with a minimum of 75%

Post-admission requirements

 

Although not required for admission, you must meet the following requirement(s) in order to progress in your program.

  • Biosafety Course Requirement

Biosafety is mandatory for all students in this program to ensure compliance with the Human Pathogens and Toxins Act. A biosafety course will be delivered online using Moodle. Students will be directed on relevant deadlines and completion requirements during the program orientation. If this requirement is not met, access to designated labs may be denied.

All costs associated with the following requirements, Immunization Requirements and Police Information Check are the responsibility of the student and are not reflected in the Tuition & Fees (Cost per semester) above. Students can expect to spend between $110 - $500 to cover the costs of these requirements.

  • Immunization – School of Health and Life Science:

For the 2024-25 academic year, NAIT has partnered with Verified by Synergy Gateway Inc. to provide support and clearance for the School of Health and Life Sciences clinical placement requirements. The Synergy Gateway platform allows you to digitally upload the documentation for your program and practicum requirements.

The program will contact you with specific instructions and information for completing the immunization requirements. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that all the necessary documents are obtained and submitted to Verified by the deadlines provided by the program.

If you do not meet the immunization requirements, your work-integrated learning experience (clinical training) may be refused by a clinical site, and there may be restrictions to campus lab and clinic experience, which may ultimately impede your progression in the program.

Any associated fees for Verified by Synergy Gateway Inc. to complete the pre-placement requirements are the sole responsibility of the student.

  • Police Check – School of Health and Life Science:

For the 2024-25 academic year, NAIT has partnered with Verified by Synergy Gateway Inc. to provide support and clearance for the School of Health and Life Sciences clinical placement requirements. The Synergy Gateway platform allows you to digitally upload the documentation for your program and practicum requirements.

Students are required to provide a current Police Information Check (also referred to as a Security Clearance or Criminal Record Check) which must include a Vulnerable Sector Search. Please do not proceed with the Police Information Check until an offer of acceptance and follow-up instructions have been issued by the program. The Police Information Check is only considered valid when submitted within 90 days of the program start date. If you do not meet the police information check requirements, your work-integrated learning experience (clinical training) may be refused by a clinical site, which may ultimately impede your progress in the program. If you have concerns about the clearance status of your Police Information Check, contact SHLSWIL@nait.ca immediately upon acceptance to the program.

It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that all the necessary documents are obtained and submitted to Verified by the deadlines provided by the program. Any associated fees for Verified by Synergy Gateway Inc. to complete the pre-placement requirements are the sole responsibility of the student.

Program Exploration Activities: Applicants are encouraged to complete the following activities to ensure an adequate understanding of the expectations and duties of the program and profession:

  • Review the program website
  • Attend Open House information sessions
  • Attend Program Preview
  • Tour one or two medical laboratories* and/or speak to a Medical Laboratory Assistant. Tours may be suspended due to COVID-19
  • N95 Testing:

It is a program requirement to fit test students to an N95 respirator prior to your clinical placement to ensure proper PPE safety. For an effective N95 respirator seal, you must be clean shaven during your fit testing session and clinical rotation. You will be required to be fit tested every two years or sooner depending on the policies of your work site. If there is a change in facial features due to weight gain/loss, pregnancy, dental work, etc. you will also need to be refitted to ensure an effective respirator seal.

Not sure if you meet the requirements?

Learn more about how NAIT evaluates applications, and find resources on how to satisfy admissions criteria.

How applications are evaluated Submitting required documents

Additional options

This program has courses that are available for Open Studies. Open Studies allows you to explore credit courses without applying to a program. It is an opportunity to get a feel for school and what program you want to be in.

Learn more about Open Studies

Dates & Deadlines

 
International
Applications Deadline:

Once the program is full

 
Domestic
Applications Open:
Mar 01, 2024
 
Application Deadline:
Once the program is full
 
Term Start Date:
Jan 08, 2025

Seats are limited - Apply early! Applications will remain open for at least one month from the open date. If the program/waitlist fill after that date, applications will close.

International Applicants

This program does not accept international applicants. International applicants interested in this program may contact a NAIT International Academic Advisor to discuss their options.

Want to learn more about this program?

Thank you for your interest! We want to get you in contact with the right person to answer your questions. If you are a current or recently admitted student you can find program and course information as well as contact details for your program on the My Program page on the MyNAIT Portal.








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