NS uses telehealth to train more lab techs

HALIFAX – Starting in September, a new, flexible online learning option will be available to Nova Scotians who want to become medical laboratory technologists. Up to 40 people will be accepted to the program, created through the Province’s partnership with the Michener Institute of Education at Toronto’s University Health Network.

“Medical laboratory technology is a rewarding career that is in high demand right now,” said Brian Wong (pictured), 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.”

People in the new program will sign a return of service agreement for a position with Nova Scotia Health.

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.

Another program through the Michener institute is now helping five internationally trained medical laboratory technologists get ready to work in Nova Scotia. In January, they began 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 help fill critical labour needs at 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 explore new opportunities to increase training capacity for positions that are in demand in the Nova Scotia healthcare system.

“We’re pleased that this partnership with the Michener institute is already helping Nova Scotia fill critical healthcare positions. We will continue to innovate and come up with new opportunities to train caring people who want to work in healthcare so we can fill in-demand positions,” said Michelle Thompson, Nova Scotia’s minister of Health and Wellness.

For its part, the Michener Institute has been training the most-needed and highest-quality health professionals in Ontario for more than 60 years.

“Our most recent key performance indicators show that 100 percent of our MedLab graduates feel prepared for their jobs immediately after graduation, and 98 percent are employed in their fields within six months of graduation – a testament to Michener’s unique strengths and an excellent sign for future Nova Scotia MLTs, and more importantly, Nova Scotia patients and families,” said Harvey Weingarten, principal, Michener Institute of Education, University Health Network.