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Interprofessional Collaboration

Through the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 (RHPA), the provincial government has mandated the regulatory Colleges to promote interprofessional collaboration (IPC) among members and with other health profession regulatory Colleges.

Through IPC, medical laboratory technologists (MLTs) may find opportunities to:

  • share their specialized knowledge with other members of the healthcare team
  • provide unique value in diagnosis, treatment, and disease management.

The CMLTO is committed to supporting and advancing IPC to enhance patient care.

IPC resources

The CMLTO Interprofessional Collaboration Infographic was developed by CMLTO staff following a 2022 survey issued to a group of 1000 randomly selected College Practising registrants. The infographic presents findings from the survey and showcases how IPC in MLT practice has evolved over time. The infographic is unique in that it also provides information pertaining to the impact of COVID-19 on MLT practice. For access to this infographic in English, click here. Pour accéder en français, cliquez ici

The CMLTO Quality Assurance Committee approved an updated Collaboration Guideline for MLTs in July 2023. Click here to access the revised document in English, Pour le français, cliquez ici

MLTs and Interprofessional collaboration
The following organizations, each with its own specific mandate, have collaborated to develop a single point of access to resources to support MLTs involved in IPC. The group shares the goal of achieving excellence in patient care through interprofessional collaboration. Click here to learn more about the groups and their commitment to IPC.

College of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Ontario (CMLTO)
Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS)
Medical Laboratory Professionals' Association of Ontario (MLPAO)
St. Clair College, Medical Laboratory Science program
St. Lawrence College, Medical Laboratory Science program


IPC case studies: developing skills
The CMLTO developed a series of four case studies to illustrate issues or opportunities for IPC in professional practice scenarios. Click here to access the case studies and learn how they may be used. Please let the CMLTO know how useful you found them by completing this brief online survey here.

Interprofessional collaboration e-Tool launched
The Federation of Health Regulatory Colleges of Ontario (FHRCO) recently launched an online tool to help interprofessional teams coordinate care within the expanded (and overlapping) scopes and authorities established by the Regulated Health Professions Statute Law Amendment Act. Interprofessional teams can quickly and safely resolve questions of individual or professional roles and responsibilities. The tool is customizable to unique point-of-care circumstances and assists team members in decision making for issues regarding:
• record keeping
• transfer of care
• provision of specific elements of patient care.

Go to the IPC e-Tool now.
View a PowerPoint presentation about the development and use of the IPC e-Tool.

Clinical Labs and Clinical Nurses: Working Better Together

The CMLTO Patient Relations Committee adapted a presentation developed by Clinical Laboratory Services at Kingston General Hospital (KGH) to facilitate better interprofessional collaboration amongst nursing and laboratory staff to ensure patient care excellence. The CMLTO appreciates the efforts of KGH staff members in creating this tool.
The PowerPoint presentation focusses on the six “rights” of specimen collection to reduce errors, wait times, delays and waste and increase patient safety, capacity and organizations efficiencies.
Go to the PDF of the presentation. Request the PowerPoint file to use in your own practice setting from This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it