Interprofessional collaboration (IPC) is based on the concept that each member of the healthcare team offers a unique value to delivering safe, high-quality patient care.
Interprofessional collaboration works most effectively when MLTs:
- share their knowledge and expertise with other health care professionals
- demonstrate the impact of their professional practice on patient care
- focus on excellence in patient care
- apply and share quality management principles and a process-oriented approach to the health care system
- develop competencies that support 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.
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
University of Ontario Institute for Technology (UOIT), Medical Laboratory Science Program (Honours BHSc undergraduate degree)
Learn more about how each organization is supporting interprofessional collaboration for MLTs.
Disclaimer: The presentation of hyperlinks to organizations’ websites does not constitute an endorsement of the information or initiatives by any other organization.
Read more about IPC at CMLTO
The College of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Ontario (CMLTO) protects the public’s right to safe, competent, ethical health care. We do this by regulating the professionals who conduct lab tests across the province. The CMLTO is the regulatory body for approximately 7,000 medical laboratory technologists (MLTs) who practise in Ontario.
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. Please click here to access CMLTO resources in support of IPC.
Contact:
John Tzountzouris
Director, Registration & Professional Practice
416.861.9605, ext. 227
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Read more about IPC at CSMLS
The Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) is the national certifying body and professional association for medical laboratory technologists and medical laboratory assistants. CSMLS is a national not-for-profit association funded entirely by membership dues and revenues from goods and services. Its major functions include:
• certification
• Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)
• continuing education and professional development
• advocacy and
• research.
Incorporated in 1937, the CSMLS has a long history of leading the medical laboratory profession by setting the standards of practice in the industry. We have continued to grow and develop in order to represent the professional interests of over 14,000 of our members in Canada and in countries around the world.
The CSMLS has long been a proponent of interprofessional collaboration (IPC). We have had IPC principles embedded in the Competency Profiles for over a decade, ensuring that newly-certified MLTs incorporate these principles into their profession practice when they start their careers.
When it comes to mental health, an interdisciplinary approach to support health care professionals is important. In collaboration with CAMRT and Sonography Canada, CSMLS conducted a national mental health survey in 2018. The results of this interdisciplinary study are presented, showcasing the benchmarking data that can be used to monitor the mental health of our professional groups. The presentation is free and can be viewed on demand. Also, the Mental Health Toolkit is expanding to include more content for health science students and educators, as well as the creation of a new page on Indigenous mental health (Oct 2019). We continue to provide interdisciplinary mental health tools and advocacy campaigns for all health professionals.
CSMLS offers a series of IPC-related courses, such as:
- Introduction to Ethics and Professionalism for Medical Laboratory Science
- Infection Prevention and Control
- Why Physicians Order Laboratory Tests: A Laboratory Perspective.
The full list of CSMLS courses can be accessed by clicking here.
Additional CSMLS IPC-related resources can be found at the following links:
Contact:
Michael Grant
Director of Marketing & Communications
905.667.8687
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Read more about IPC at MLPAO
The
Medical Laboratory Professionals' Association of Ontario (MLPAO) represents the common interests of the Medical Laboratory Technologists (MLTs) and Medical Laboratory Assistants/Technicians (MLA/Ts) in Ontario. The MLPAO is supported by the laboratory technologists and technicians who wish to belong to an organization that serves as their unified voice and advocate on issues that impact the medical laboratory profession. The MLPAO offers a diversified collection of programs and benefits to its membership and is the provincial certification body for Medical Laboratory Assistants/Technicians (MLA/Ts).
Please visit our website at www.mlpao.org.
The MLPAO is dedicated to enhancing quality standards and fostering recognition of laboratory professionals. We believe that Interprofessional Care (IPC) and Interprofessional Education (IPE) models will result in better patient care.
To access MLPAO articles and resources about IPC, please click here.
The MLPAO offers Collaborative Education Fund (CEF) grants to sponsor collaborative education events. For more information, click here.
Contact:
Michelle Hoad
Chief Executive Officer
416.485.6768, ext. 25
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
or
Tania Toffner BSc, MLT
Manager, Professional Services
416.485.6768, ext. 22
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Read more about IPC at St. Clair College
St. Clair College – Medical Laboratory Science Program
Start HERE, go anywhere.
St. Clair College is the place to start your journey in pursuit of your career and lifelong learning. It's where you will learn new things, expand your mind, create lasting friendships, experience college life, and most importantly, get the skills and knowledge you need to get the job!
St. Clair College embraces the very best in a college education—excellence in teaching, applied learning in our state-of-the-art labs, numerous student support services to help you succeed, and an amazing campus life experience.
St. Clair provides all of this and more for 8,300 full time students who participate in over 100 advanced diplomas, diplomas, degrees and graduate certificates focused in Health, Technology, Business, Media Arts and Social Services.
Learn more about the College vision and mission here.
The following Health Science Programs have demonstrated a commitment to IPC:
Cardiovascular Technology
Dental Hygiene
Dental Assisting Level I & II
Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Fitness and Health Promotion
Respiratory Therapy
Medical Laboratory Science
Medical Laboratory Technician
Pharmacy Technician
St. Clair College is committed to interprofessional collaborative projects for our students in Health Sciences and Nursing. Program faculty will continue to offer the various classroom/laboratory activities, while pursuing more active avenues of learning, including reflective practice, to help our students determine best collaborative practices. We expect to provide items in support of IPC that we identify as significant for practicing MLTs via this website as they become available.
Contact:
Jessica Lacasse
Program Coordinator
519.972.2727, ext. 4345
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Read more about IPC at St. Lawrence College
Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) is a three-year advanced diploma at St. Lawrence College (SLC). The program team strives for excellence in preparing students for their professional role and for the journey of lifelong learning. In our Program students gain and grow the knowledge, skills and behaviours expected of medical laboratory technologists in healthcare today.
Our graduates:
- display an accessible, well developed knowledge base of theories and techniques used in the performance and evaluation of laboratory analyses
- demonstrate analytical and professional skills required to generate, assess and communicate results efficiently and accurately
- exhibit an understanding of, and adhere to Standards of Practice expectations and cultivate a desire to learn, reflect and grow in the practice of Medical Laboratory Science.
Learn more about the Medical Laboratory Science program here.
The program team feels involvement in Interprofessional Learning contributes to the strategic plan of the College. Learn more about the strategic plan here.
Here are a few great additional links in support of IPC for MLTs and educators:
Canadian Interprofessional Health Collaborative (CIHC)
Centre For The Advancement Of Interprofessional Education
Federation of Health Regulatory Colleges of Ontario (FHRCO) Interprofessional Collaboration (IPC) eTool
Preceptor Education Program (free)
Contact:
Robin Thompson-McAvoy
Coordinator/Professor
Medical Laboratory Science
613.544.5400, ext. 1468
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Read more about IPC at UOIT
University of Ontario Institute for Technology (UOIT)
With its foundation in technology, the sciences and professional practice, UOIT advances the discovery and application of knowledge that accelerates economic growth, regional development and social innovation, and inspires graduates who will continue to make an impact on the world, as it is and as it will be. Learn more about the University vision, mission, and values here.
Medical Laboratory Science Program
The Medical Laboratory Science program prepares highly skilled graduates who are committed to excellence, innovation and evidence-based practice in a rapidly changing health care environment. Throughout the program, there is an emphasis on collaboration, accountability, leadership and research as the foundation of evidence.
Program values:
- Quality
- Accountability
- Safe and ethical practice
- Academic rigour
- Collaboration.
Learn more about the Medical Laboratory Science program vision, mission, and values here.
Interprofessional collaboration (IPC)
Interprofessional collaboration is a major focus in all areas of healthcare today and it is reflected in the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Sciences (CSMLS) competencies, which the UOIT Medical Laboratory Science (MLSc) program curriculum is based upon. The UOIT MLSc program believes that it is critical for both students and practitioners to be aware of the impact of IPC on practice and patient outcomes.
UOIT MLSc program students learn to be reflective practitioners who understand and think in terms of the principles of quality management and continuous quality improvement. Through the process of reflective journaling, budding professionals look inwards to identify and understand personal strengths and weaknesses, and develop strategies to increase their individual professional value. This activity encourages students to actively pursue an understanding of professional practice standards/competencies in the areas of ethical safe practice and interprofessional collaboration.
UOIT Virtual Speaker Series
UOIT provides a Virtual Speaker Series that profiles videos highlighting the innovative research at UOIT. Please click here to access a presentation by Dr. John Gilbert, titled, “Learning Together to Practice Collaboratively: Key Principles for Interprofessional Education.”
UOIT Simulation learning models
Learn more about simulation learning models to support competency-based interprofessional education for learners and practitioners across disciplines and sectors by clicking here (PDF).
Contact:
Evelyn Moreau
Program and Practicum Coordinator
905.721.8668, ext. 2826
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
