Medical Laboratory Technologist (MLT)

Medical Laboratory Technologists in Foreign qualification recognition is the process of verifying New Brunswick that the knowledge, skills, work experience and education obtained in another country are comparable to the standards In New Brunswick, medical laboratory established for Canadian professionals and tradespersons. technology is a regulated profession. To work in this field, you are required to complete the foreign qualification Laboratory science involves How do I get my recognition process and provide all critical thinking, problem-solving, necessary documentation. analyzing specimens and employing credentials recognized? sophisticated equipment and You can start your application There is a need for MLTs in both big computer interfaces to ensure the abroad; however, you have to write cities and smaller communities across timely and accurate delivery of test the certification exam in Canada. New Brunswick; you can also find jobs results. It involves interpretation of The New Brunswick Society of in one of the two official languages of results and the relationship between Medical Laboratory Technologists the province: English or French. results and various medical conditions. (NBSMLT) (www.nbsmlt.nb.ca) is the regulatory agency in the province. Most MLTs work in , but The foreign credential recognition jobs are also available in private process is centralized, and it is done laboratories, community health clinics, The New Brunswick Society by the Canadian Society for Medical Public Health facilities, university of Medical Laboratory Laboratory Science (CSMLS) (www. research laboratories, Technologists (NBSMLT) csmls.org). Please visit the CSML companies and specialty laboratories. was founded in 1948 when website and click on Internationally the New Brunswick branch Educated MLTs for more information To obtain a licence to practise in about specific requirements, costs and New Brunswick, an MLT must be of the Canadian Society of other resources. deemed competent by the foreign Laboratory Technologists qualification recognition process in (CSLT) was formed, and CSMLS completes a Prior Learning all five disciplines of general medical it is governed by the Assessment (PLA) for internationally laboratory technology: clinical New Brunswick statute, educated MLT applicants. The PLA is chemistry, , clinical typically completed in four to six weeks. , transfusion science and An Act Respecting the histotechnology. Both clinical genetics New Brunswick Society There are three steps to becoming a and cytology are specialized fields, and of Medical Laboratory medical laboratory technologist: MLTs who are specialized in one of these Technologists. New two fields can obtain a restricted licence Brunswick was the second • Be declared eligible to write the to practise in their area of expertise. CSMLS national certification province to regulate examination. To be eligible you MLTs play a central role in the care of the practice of medical must either: patients by providing with laboratory technology. • Successfully complete a MLT the information they need to make educational program accredited by accurate diagnoses. The work of MLTs the Canadian Medical Association; remains a mystery to the average or person because much of their work is done behind the scenes in the • successfully complete the CSMLS laboratory. PLA. 1. Following confirmation of eligibility If your education was not completed to challenge the CSMLS national There are many resources in either English or French, you certification exam, you are eligible available to help you are required to fulfil a language for a temporary licence if you have proficiency test that assesses listening, found work in New Brunswick. find employment in New reading, writing and speaking. The This temporary licence allows Brunswick, including language proficiency requirement is you to acquire clinical experience immigrant-serving done in two stages: prior to challenging the CSMLS agencies and job banks. certification examination. Letters of Visit www.gnb.ca/ 1. Technical review – The language confirmation from your employer requirement you must meet before confirming employment, as well immigration. your PLA file is reviewed. as the CSMLS confirming eligibility to challenge the examination, are Additional resources 2. Equivalent and eligible to write required. exam – The language requirement Horizon Health Network you must meet before becoming 2. Write the CSMLS national www.horizonnb.ca eligible to write the exam. This certification examination. Vitalité Health Network requires a higher score than the www.santevitalitehealth.ca technical review. • You must apply to write the examination and pay the New Brunswick Immigration Portal If you need to improve your language appropriate fees. www.gnb.ca/immigration skills, start before you come to Canada. • The examination is offered three Citizenship and Immigration Canada times a year at locations across www.cic.gc.ca Canada. Service Canada • You do not have to live in Canada www.servicecanada.gc.ca to take the examination, but you Foreign Credentials Referral Office must come to Canada to write it. www.credentials.gc.ca 3. After you have passed the Service New Brunswick www.snb.ca examination, you will need to contact the NBSMLT to register and NB Jobs www.nbjobs.ca receive your practising licence. Working in New Brunswick Tool www.workingincanada.gc.ca/ newbrunswick-nouveaubrunswick Finding a job in Government of Canada Job Bank New Brunswick www.jobbank.gc.ca You should take time to research job requirements and develop a plan for finding work. You can ask for help. Before you arrive There are many resources available While you are waiting to come to New that you can use before coming to Brunswick, there are many important New Brunswick and after you are things you can do to improve your here. You can find job postings on chances of success. the NBSMLT website. There are also immigrant-serving agencies funded The Foreign Credentials Referral by the Government of New Brunswick Office (www.credentials.gc.ca) is and the Government of Canada and an organization of the Government offer their services free of charge. of Canada that provides helpful resources. The Government of New Brunswick also has specially designed tools to help you make Canada your home. Please visit www.gnb.ca/immigration.

CNB 8102