A Medical Laboratory Technologist (MLT) is a person who has trained for two to four years, including a one year internship, in the methods used to test for various chemicals and examine cells in bodily fluids. This person has written and passed a standardized set of national exams in five different subject areas.

• Chemistry

Methodologies for analyzing numerous chemicals in blood, urine, feces and other bodily fluids

• Hematology

Study of normal and abnormal cells in whole blood and blood clotting measurement

• Microbiology

The science of disease causing organisms, microbes

• Transfusions

The science of transfusing compatible blood from donors to recipients

• Histology

The methods of tissue preparation and staining for cellular abnormalities

History of the SSMLT

The SSMLT has represented the interests of Saskatchewan Technologists for many, many years.

The SSMLT was born as the Saskatchewan Branch of the Canadian Society of Medical Laboratory Technologists (CSLT) in 1937. In fact it was more like quintuplets, since the CSLT, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec were also formed at the same time.

In 1996, the Government of Saskatchewan, officially recognized the SSMLT as a self-governing profession, by proclaiming the Medical Laboratory Technologists Act. This sort of recognition did not come easily. It was the culmination of 50 years of dedicated service by countless technologists whose unwavering professionalism and perseverance finally shone through. The final 10 years required the utmost determination from a key group of technologists and the support of the entire membership of the SSMLT.

Role of the SSMLT

The people of Saskatchewan, through the Medical Technologists Act, have entrusted the SSMLT with the right to govern the Medical Technologists of Saskatchewn within the parameters set out in the law. The SSMLT is accountable to the people of Saskatchewan for the quality of medical laboratory testing provided by our members.

The SSMLT is responsible for developing, establishing, implementing and maintaining:

• The criteria for initial registration of members
• The criteria of renewal of registration
• The standards of professional conduct, competency, and proficiency of members
• The standards and requirements for re-entry to the profession
• The standards of professional ethics
• The standards of practice for the profession
• The programs to promote professional development and competency
• The programs to advance the profession
• The links with the CSMLS, other MLT Societies, as well as governmental and non-governmental agencies whose policies impact the practice of the profession.
• Responsibility for responding to complaints arising from the public, from employers and from our own members, when these complaints deal with the quality of a members practice and/or conduct.