Diagnostic Services at CAMH

Medical Laboratory Technologists/ Medical Radiation Technologists

The Medical Laboratory Technologist and Medical Radiation Technologist interact with the patient and other members of the health care team in ways that ensure that the patient's needs are met in a caring and professional manner, and in accordance with the legislation, regulation, bylaws and policies which govern members of their respective Colleges.

CAMH requires that all medical laboratory technologists be registered with the College of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Ontario (CMLTO) and that all radiation technologists be registered with the College of Medical Radiation Technologists of Ontario (CMRTO). As with all regulated health care professionals at CAMH, medical technologists and radiation technologists must provide annual proof of membership in good standing with their Colleges. For information regarding these Colleges, please see www.clmto.com and www.cmrto.org . Both of these professions are three year diploma programs with opportunities for advanced certification and degrees.

Medical laboratory technologists uncover and provide information from laboratory analyses that assists physicians in diagnosing and treating patients as well as disease monitoring and prevention, They use sophisticated instruments, techniques and computers to perform laboratory testing on biological specimens.

Medical radiation technologists perform diagnostic imaging examinations. They are responsible for accurately positioning patients and ensuring that a quality diagnostic image is produced for the radiologist. They are educated in anatomy, patient positioning, examination techniques, equipment protocols, radiation safety, radiation protection and basic patient care.

In addition to the two regulated professions, Diagnostic Services employs technicians in the Clinical Laboratory and in EEG and ECG. Technicians are certified by the OSMT (clinical laboratory) and registered as EEG technicians by the EEG society. CAMH laboratory has partnered with Centennial College to train clinical laboratory technicians.

There is a Diagnostic Services Council at CAMH, chaired by the Medical Technologist in Chief and all technologists are invited to be members. Diagnostic Services has an extensive staff development and continuing education program that includes courses and seminars given within the laboratory and off site at various institutions.

Additional web sites containing information on these professions:

Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science, www.csmls.org
The Michener Institute for Applied Health Sciences, www.michener.ca
Ontario Society of Medical Technologist, www.osmt.org

Contact Information

Lillian Santalab, MLT MPA
Medical Technologist in Chief
416-535-8501, Ext. 2056