Why does the CMLTO not distinguish between medical laboratory assistants and medical laboratory technicians?
The College of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Ontario (CMLTO) has heard from medical laboratory technologists (MLTs), medical laboratory assistants and medical laboratory technicians that there are two separate issues. The first is related to nomenclature. We have met medical laboratory practitioners who are referred to as ‘technicians’, ‘assistants’, and ‘attendants’ in their workplace. Currently, to be inclusive, the CMLTO refers to this group of health practitioners as medical laboratory assistants and medical laboratory technicians. Second, and more importantly, we hear from MLTs, medical laboratory assistants and medical laboratory technicians that regardless of the titles used in the workplace, there is a very broad range of responsibilities which are employer-specific. Therefore, ‘assistants’ in one laboratory may have more responsibilities assigned than ‘technicians’ in another laboratory, and vice-versa. The process of working towards the regulation of medical laboratory
