Photo from the government of New Brunswick's Twitter feed.

A new three-year online program is aimed to train up to 40 more medical laboratory technicians in the province.

It’s in partnership with the Michener Institute of Education at University Health Network and in addition to the seats offered through NSCC.

“Medical laboratory technology is a rewarding career that is in high demand right now,” said Brian Wong, Minister of Advanced Education. “This learning model will allow students to learn online and practise in person at Nova Scotia Health facilities throughout the province so we can meet critical labour needs and train the professionals we need to provide Nova Scotians with access to better and faster care.”

Students will learn online, but practice in person at health facilities throughout Nova Scotia.

Another program that began in Janurary, through the Michener institute is now helping five internationally trained medical laboratory technologists get ready to work in Nova Scotia. It’s a 16-week bridging program that will prepare them for their licensing exam. While they wait to take the exam, they will work with conditional licences and work with Nova Scotia Health.

In February 2022, the Department of Advanced Education, the Department of Health and Wellness, and Nova Scotia Health signed a memorandum of understanding with the Toronto-based Michener institute to look at new opportunities for training for positions that are in demand in the Nova Scotia healthcare system.

“We’ve made a promise to all Nova Scotians to improve healthcare, and we are committed to identifying innovative solutions that will train more students to fill vacancies in critical healthcare jobs, like medical laboratory technologists. This collaboration will provide an opportunity to bring healthcare professionals from around the world to our province and provide the best possible care for our patients.”
– Karen Oldfield, President and CEO, Nova Scotia Health

Those accepted to the new program, will sign an agreement to work with Nova Scotia Health once finished.

Applications are due by May 5.

Quick Facts:
— the Michener institute is the only Canadian post-secondary institute that specializes exclusively in applied health sciences education
— the institute is part of the University Health Network, which includes several academic and research hospitals in Ontario, including Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital and the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute
— this new, three-year program is in addition to the 40 training seats offered through Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC)
— applications for the program are due by May 5; tuition and fees will be similar to NSCC’s program
— Nova Scotia will pay about $6 million over the three years to support a class of 40 students

Information on becoming a medical laboratory technologist: https://novascotia.ca/become-medical-laboratory-technologist/