About The 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 voluntary association that was originally incorporated in 1937 as the Canadian Society of Laboratory Technologists. The CSMLS office is located in Hamilton, Ontario.
|
LABCON – The National Congress of Medical Laboratory Science |
Membership
There are over 14,000 CSMLS members. Members practise in hospital laboratories, private medical laboratories, public health laboratories, government laboratories, research and educational institutions. Some pursue careers in health care administration, medical laboratory technology education and in related commercial fields. Most members live in Canada, but a small number are scattered throughout the United States and in other parts of the world.
Funding
CSMLS is funded entirely by membership dues and revenues from goods and services. We do not receive operational funding from governments or other organizations.
Governance
CSMLS is governed by the Board of Directors. There are 11 members on the Board, each of whom is elected directly by the membership at large. Members of the Board are volunteers – most work in the field of medical laboratory science.
Certification
One of the major functions of CSMLS is to set qualification standards in medical laboratory science. To achieve this, we conduct exams across Canada and issue certificates to candidates who meet the prescribed standard. Certification is offered for general medical laboratory technology, diagnostic cytology, clinical genetics, and for medical laboratory assistants.
CSMLS certification is accepted anywhere in Canada. In fact, CSMLS certification is the entry-level requirement for medical laboratory technologists in all of the regulated provinces (AB, SK, MB, ON, NB and NS) with the exception of Quebec. Most employers in the unregulated provinces and territories (PEI, NL, NU, NT, YT) require CSMLS certification for medical laboratory technologists.
While it is not mandatory in any province or territory at this time, CSMLS medical laboratory assistant certification is gaining recognition across Canada.
To qualify members for senior positions and recognize the increased knowledge they need to advance in their careers, we provide certification at higher levels. Certified members in good standing may use the official designation (LA, RT, ART, FCSMLS) appropriate to their level of certification, except where use of these designations contravenes provincial law.
Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)
CSMLS provides a single point of access for prior learning assessment to internationally educated medical laboratory technologists who are seeking Canadian Certification.
The PLA process evaluates academic credentials, language proficiency, clinical training and work experience. Trained assessors from the CSMLS are responsible for evaluating work experience and clinical training. Evaluation of language proficiency and academic credentials are conducted by other agencies.
CSMLS does not receive funding from governments or regulatory bodies for providing prior learning assessment services. Clients are currently charged a fee. However, fees cover only a portion of the total cost of administering and maintaining the PLA process. The process is subsidized by CSMLS members through annual dues.
Continuing Education and Professional Development
Medical laboratory professionals work in a dynamic and ever-changing field. CSMLS is committed to providing professional development and continuing education programs to help members update their skills and knowledge, and achieve their professional goals.
Our continuing education service focuses mainly on distance education programs in technical and scientific subjects. CSMLS also provides a series of short programs on laboratory management. We offer several interactive case studies in a computer-assisted learning format, and our MODE Modules provide affordable continuing studies courses. Our website has a Continuing Education Calendar available in both a searchable online format and a printable paper format. The calendar contains details of CSMLS home-study courses and MODE Modules. The online calendar also contains links to information on degree programs, management programs and distance education programs offered by provincial societies.
We constantly try to update and expand our services and to find new ways to meet the continuing education needs of our members. For instance, on the CSMLS website you will find a list of laboratory standards and guidelines members can borrow for free from the Loan Library.
In 1984, CSMLS began a voluntary competence assurance program to recognize members’ efforts to maintain their level of knowledge and skill. The Professional Enhancement Program (PEP) helps members document their professional development efforts. Members interested in advanced studies can earn the Certificate of Professional Studies (CPS), which can be applied to Advanced Registration (ART).
Research
The CSMLS conducts health services research to inform policy and decision-making on the education and certification of Canadian medical laboratory technologists. The goals of this research are to serve as a conduit for information about the profession and to support knowledge creation and knowledge translation about the medical laboratory profession.
Past research projects have addressed issues such as health human resources, clinical education, simulation-based education, prior learning assessment, language proficiency testing, and certification of internationally educated medical laboratory technologists (IEMLTs). The CSMLS is leading the health professions in research on the integration of internationally educated professionals and continues to address issues, such as patient safety, that contribute to a competent health professional workforce and the delivery of high quality patient care.
LABCON – The National Congress of Medical Laboratory Science
Each year, CSMLS hosts LABCON – the National Congress of Medical Laboratory Science in a different province. The Congress gives members a chance to hear speakers of national and international renown. Members attend workshops and seminars, see the latest equipment and methods in commercial exhibits, and have a chance to meet colleagues from across Canada.
National Medical Laboratory Week
Since 1985, CSMLS has sponsored a special week (usually the third week in April) to promote awareness and understanding of role of medical laboratory professionals in the health care system. CSMLS provides posters, brochures and other promotional material, in both official languages, free-of-charge to all members.
Professional Representation and Advocacy
CSMLS represents the professional interests of medical laboratory technologists and medical laboratory assistants through membership on committees, presentation of briefs, and discussions with government departments and other Canadian health-professional organizations.
CSMLS has representation on:
- Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Steering Committee on Health Care
- CMA Committee on Conjoint Accreditation
- Accreditation Canada
- Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB)
- Health Action Lobby (HEAL)
- CLSI
- The Canadian Network of National Associations of Regulators
- The Canadian Coalition for Public Health in the 21st Century
- Collaborative Forum on Health Science Education
- Canadian Patient Safety Institute
- Canada Health Infoway
Occasionally CSMLS present briefs and discussion papers to commissions and task forces whose mandate covers anything that might affect CSMLS members or the profession. CSMLS works with Health Canada and the Advisory Committee on Health Delivery and Human Resources to address the emerging HR shortage in our profession.
Publications
The Canadian Journal of Medical Laboratory Science is the official publication of the CSMLS. It contains scientific as well as general interest articles, information on CSMLS activities, news items, certification updates, continuing education information and job advertisements. The annual report is published as a special supplement. Members receive a free subscription to CSMLS. Paid subscriptions are available to non-members.
We also publish an annual roster that lists the names and CSMLS qualifications of all certified members.
Laboratory Safety - CSMLS Guidelines, Sixth Edition 2006 provides the latest information on safe practices in the laboratory. These guidelines have become a standard reference for those who work in medical laboratories, and are available in print and CD-ROM formats.
Provincial Organizations
CSMLS works closely with provincial societies and regulatory bodies. The structure and function of the provincial organizations varies from province to province. British Columbia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island have voluntary societies that represent the profession. In Alberta, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick and Saskatchewan, the provincial regulatory body and the provincial society are one in the same. In Ontario and Manitoba the regulatory body and professional society are separate organizations.
The National Advocacy Council (NAC) consists of elected presidents from each provincial society and from CSMLS. In provinces where the professional society role is also taken by the regulatory body, that organization’s elected president is the NAC representative. The NAC works on issues related to awareness and advocacy for the profession, as well as issues referred by the CSMLS Board of Directors and the joint committees for Marketing & Communications and Professional Development.
The voting members of the National Regulatory Council (NRC) are the elected presidents of the provincial regulatory bodies and CSMLS. The NRC normally meets at the same time as NAC meetings. The Council works on issues related to professional regulation, continuing competency requirements and entry level issues, as well as other items such as the Medical Laboratory Technology Agreement on Internal Trade. Non-voting NRC members include senior staff of the regulatory bodies and representatives from provincial societies that do not have a regulatory function.
International Representation
CSMLS is a voting member of the International Federation of Biomedical Laboratory Science. Through this association, we are becoming more involved at the international level. CSMLS set up the World Medical Laboratory Development Fund to provide financial help for international projects.
Professional Recognition Awards
CSMLS sponsors several awards that recognize members’ outstanding contributions to the profession and the Society: They include:
- Distinguished Fellowship Award
- Honorary Fellowship Award
- Honorary Membership Award
- Honorary Affiliate Membership Award
- The A.R. Shearer Pride of the Profession Award
- The David Ball Community Service Award
Grants and Scholarships
CSMLS provides a variety of grants and scholarships to members. They include:
- CSMLS Student Scholarships
- Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Student Scholarship
- Founders’ Fund and International Founders’ Fund Awards
- E.V. Booth Scholarship Fund
- Barbara Santalab-Rickey Memorial Award
- Leaders of Tomorrow National Congress Grant
Last Updated (Tuesday, 02 March 2010 13:05)
