CMLTM FAQ

What are the benefits to membership in a regulatory college?

Self-regulating status allows the profession of medical laboratory technology to hold the profession accountable for the actions of its members as they relate to public safety;
A well-managed College should increase public confidence in the profession; and
This responsibility will increase the visibility and credibility of the profession in the eyes of both the public and other self-regulating health care professions.

Does licensing protect the profession or the public?

The purpose of a regulatory college is to serve and protect the public interest. However, in doing that, it may enhance the public awareness of, and confidence in, medical laboratory technology as a profession.

How will the College protect the public?

The College will protect the public by establishing standards which those who wish to practise as medical laboratory technologists must follow. Examples include: requirement regarding minimum number of hours practised, continuing education requirements, and procedures for complaints and discipline.

What is the disciplinary procedure? Am I “guilty until proven innocent” or “innocent until proven guilty”?

The standard is always “innocent until proven guilty”. The disciplinary procedure is set out in the Act. The College will have both a complaints and a disciplinary committee – allegations are investigated by the complaints committee and that Committee may take certain actions if the complaint is substantiated. One of the actions is to refer the matter to the Inquiry Committee which then must hold a formal hearing.

Will I still get paid during the disciplinary procedure?

This would be at your employer’s discretion.

When we become licensed will we be paid more?

The aim of the College is to serve and protect the public interest. The College does not deal with remuneration issues.

What is the difference between “right to title” and “right to practice”?

The title “medical laboratory technologist” cannot be used by anyone not meeting the qualifications set out by the College.
There is no such term as “right to practice”. An “exclusive scope of practice” means that only a medical laboratory technologist may perform certain duties.
The Act protects use of the title medical laboratory technologist. It does not grant MLTs an exclusive scope of practice.

Is it my responsibility to report fellow technologists that are not competent?

As per the Act, it is your professional duty to advise the Registrar if you have reason to believe that a fellow technologist has a physical or mental condition which would make them unfit to continue to practise, or that their practice should be restricted.
The person who discloses such information is not subject to liability, unless it is demonstrated that they have acted maliciously.

Can the employer have non-licensed people doing technologists work?

Yes, this is possible. However, the non-licensed employees will not be allowed to call themselves medical laboratory technologists.

What are the pros and cons of being licensed/self-regulated?

The establishment of the College is a direct result of requests from the medical laboratory technologist community.
The positive aspects of self-regulation include: title protection and public protection, both of which may enhance both the visibility and credibility of the profession.
Some people may decide that the fees associated with membership in the College is a negative. However, we hope that the positives will out-weigh the negative in minds of the majority of technologists.

Will the employer pay my licensing fees?

That is a decision to be made by each employer individually. However, it is quite possible that your fees will be your responsibility as a practising professional.

Who will pay for the CE that is required for self-regulation?

Continuing education opportunities may come from a variety of sources (the professional association, the College, employer). There may or may not be a cost associated with these opportunities. In some instances, the cost may be borne through your fees to either the College or MSMLT. In other instances, there may be a fee associated with attendance.

Will time off be given for CE?

That is up to the employer, and may depend upon their ability to cover absences for this purpose.

CE – How will I know what type of courses, lectures, etc. are applicable to my CE credits? What happens if I do not meet the required number of CE credits?

The Continuing Competency Committee will be posting quidelines regarding the CE requirements and process on the website very shortly.

How is this different from the MSMLT?

The mission of the MSMLT is to provide advocacy for the profession of medical laboratory technology.
The mission of CMLTM is to serve and protect the public interest.

Do I have to be a provincial member, CSMLS member AND a College member?

Membership in the College is mandatory in order for you to call yourself a medical laboratory technologist. Membership in MSMLT and CSMLS is voluntary, though many technologists will find it advantageous to be members of both.

What happens if I have been out of the workforce for a long time period?

You may still maintain your registration as inactive or retired. However, you will have to ensure, prior to returning to active practice, that you have met any continuing competency requirements as set out by the College.

What happens if I only want to work casual?

That is your choice. However, you must still maintain avtive registration in the College in order to use the title medical laboratory technologist.

How does this affect students in the training program? Will they be able to work, doing technologist work, before they have written and passed their exams?

There is provision in the Act for registration as a student.
During the clinical part of the training program they must be registered with the College in the student category. They are then permitted to perform medical laboratory proceducers under the direct on site supervision of a licensed medical laboratory practitioner.