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Medical Laboratory Science program requirements

 (Updated June 2023)

The Faculty of Health Sciences will be utilizing Synergy Gateway Verified for the verification of all pre-practicum (pre-placement) documentation (including but not limited to the completion of immunizations, and required modules) for all students in the Nursing Program and Med Lab Programs.

Personal information on this form is collected under the authority of the University of Ontario Institute of Technology Act, SO 2002, c. 8, Sch. O. and will be collected, protected, used, disclosed and retained in compliance with Ontario’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act R.S.O. 1990, c. F.31. This information will be used to administer screening for pre-practicum requirements.

Information uploaded to the platform will be retained by Synergy for one year after termination of their account. Students will be able to access their information for one year after they have left their program.  A reminder to students that you are ultimately responsible for maintaining your pre-practicum requirements and keeping original copies of your documentation should they be requested by your placement site.

Questions regarding the collection of your personal information may be directed to:  Ontario Tech University Access and Privacy Office, 2000 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa, ON L1H 7K4, 905.721.8668, ext. 6705, email: accessandprivacy@ontariotechu.ca.

To be eligible to participate in practicum, students must meet specific requirements for practice, both medical (e.g. immunizations) and non-medical (e.g. vulnerable sector check), as outlined within the contractual agreements established with our placement partners.  These requirements form an integral component of a student’s Professional Suitability as outlined in the Academic Calendar. 

Below you will find the checklists outlining the specific requirements for pre-practicum students, as well as further information regarding each requirement and relevant forms and links.  

Students are responsible for keeping the original documents at all times. Students must monitor their ontariotechu.net email addresses throughout the entire year to facilitate the smooth handling of their documentation.

NOTE: Please begin the process of completing the required documentation as soon as you receive your grades at the end of the winter semester. The time required for completion can be extensive and may delay your attendance to mandatory components of the MLSc program if not completed by the due dates.

IMMUNIZATION INFORMATION

To help protect the health and safety of students and patients/clients, all students enrolled in the Medical Laboratory Science program must provide proof of immunization to be eligible for laboratory-based courses and to attend clinical placement.  Please consult the Immunization Requirements web page for up-to-date information.  When entering Year 4, students must complete the Returning Student Immunization Form.

The influenza (flu) vaccination is not mandatory but strongly recommended. In the event of an influenza outbreak, students without sufficient documentation of the vaccine may be asked to leave the clinical area, thus jeopardizing the successful completion of the practicum course. The influenza vaccine (flu shot) is generally not available until October and takes two weeks to become effective.

Note: Any practice placement site can make it mandatory to have an annual influenza vaccination prior to approving a placement.

N95 MASK FIT TESTING INFORMATION

If you require specific information regarding mask fit testing, email Lavern Bourne at lavern.bourne@ontariotechu.ca.

Mask fits are valid for two years from the date of testing. Ontario Tech provides on-campus mask fit testing for all MLSc students just prior to practicum. The cost of the test is included in the ancillary fees for students enrolled in the MLSc program. The testing will be arranged by the MLSc Practicum Coordinator for the end of the winter semester of third year. Eligible students will receive an email to their OntarioTechu.net account containing information on how to register for testing. 

An identification card will be provided at the conclusion of testing which provides information on the student’s required mask. It is the student’s responsibility to keep this card safe and provide it along with other mandatory documentation at the beginning of placement at each practicum site.

OBTAINING A CRIMINAL REFERENCE CHECK

If you require specific information regarding a criminal reference check, email Lavern Bourne at lavern.bourne@ontariotechu.ca.

All students in the MLSc program are required to complete a criminal reference check prior to entering Year 4. It must include a vulnerable sector screen. The check is valid for one year from the date of issue and must cover the entire academic year. Exceptions to this requirement are non-negotiable due to liability and safety regulations. 

These must be obtained from the student’s local (permanent address) police service. Any costs associated with the check are the responsibility of the student.

 For students residing in Durham:

  • Durham Region Police Service (DRPS) requires a letter for students to qualify for the volunteer (lower) rate. Students can obtain a letter from Lavern Bourne. To complete the letter, please provide your full name, date of birth and complete street address. The letter will be sent to your Ontario Tech.net email address. 
  • Visit the DRPS website for more information.

 For students residing in Toronto (please direct questions to healthsciences@ontariotechu.ca):

  • Toronto Police Service (TPS) has information to review about their Vulnerable Sector Screening Process. 
  • TPS requires a form to be signed by an authorized staff member from the university in order to process your application. Please see the process for obtaining the signed form: 
  1. Students must complete the fillable form(open with a student number and network password), sign and email to healthsciences@ontariotechu.ca along with a photo of themselves holding up two pieces of identification, one of which must be a government-issued ID (e.g. driver’s license, passport).
  2. The form will be signed by an authorized staff member and emailed back to the student.
  3. The student will then follow the TPS instructions for submissions to commence the check. 

An official report form (with police seal) will be provided by the police service.  The completed form must be validated by Synergy Gateway Verified.