National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week
April 23-29, 2006

National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week provides the profession with a unique opportunity to increase public understanding of and appreciation for, clinical laboratory personnel. This activity takes place the 4th week in April each year.

In the fall of 2005 the planning committee voted to officially change the name from National Medical Laboratory Week (NMLW) to National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week (NMLPW). This change was made to emphasize the person whose expertise is needed in the performance of laboratory testing and not the location where the testing is performed.

Medical laboratory professionals on the frontlines

Medical laboratory professionals work on the frontlines of disease detection and diagnosis. Their skill, accuracy and dedication help to save countless lives each day. They protect public health in a wide variety of settings, from hospitals to community health clinics to public health laboratories. They work on infection control teams and make sure our food and drinking water are safe.

As the nation's third largest group of health care professionals, medical laboratory professionals play an essential role in Canada's health care system. Whether fighting old diseases or new ones, medical laboratory professionals protect the health of all Canadians. Eighty five per cent of physicians' diagnosis and treatment decisions are based on laboratory test results.

Medical laboratory technologists perform sophisticated medical tests on body tissue and body fluids, and interpret results. They are graduates of accredited training programs at the college or university level. The majority of Canadian MLTs are certified by the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science.

Medical laboratory assistants perform certain routine functions such as collecting and processing specimens. Today, many medical laboratory assistants are graduates of private vocational or community college programs. CSMLS has recently re-established a national certification for medical laboratory assistants. (The position of medical laboratory assistant is not recognised by the regulatory body in the province of Quebec.)

Medical laboratory scientists work in both medical and research laboratories. Their knowledge and expertise contribute to innovations in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease and other medical conditions. They are graduates of university-level science programs, usually at the post-graduate level, and may be certified by CSMLS.