Professional Development
Professional Development Certificate Program
The Professional Development (PD) Program is offered by the College to encourage supplemental lifelong learning to increase or broaden an individuals’ knowledge in the field of medical laboratory technology. The purpose of the PD program is to provide an avenue of acknowledgement for continued learning above that required by an employer.
To earn the Professional Development Certificate, the Medical Laboratory Technologist/ Medical Laboratory Assistant is required to obtain four (4) credits in a two-year period. PD credits are awarded based on learning activities which are divided into three categories. Please refer to each category to determine the credit value. The learning activity must occur within two years immediately preceding the date of submission of the application form. PD Certificates are valid for two years from the date of issue.
CATEGORY 1 – EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES (with supporting documentation) (At least 1.0 credit must be earned in Category 1)
|
Activity |
PD Credits |
|
Courses with assignment and/or examinations |
Credits awarded by the institution and/or CSMLS |
|
Courses with assignments and/or examinations not formally assessed credit recognition |
1.0 credit/15 contact hours |
|
Attendance at conference/convention |
0.3 credits/day |
|
Lab-related teleconference/video conference* |
0.1 credit/hour |
|
American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Tech Samples* or similar program |
0.1 credit/hour |
*0.2 credits may be claimed if an abstract in your own words is included. An abstract is not mandatory
but allows the applicant to earn additional credits.
CATEGORY 2 – PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES (Up to 3.0 credits can be earned in Category 2)
|
Professional Association Participation/Volunteer |
PD Credits |
|
College Council member, Committee/Convention Chair, CSMLS Board of Directors |
1.0 credit/year |
|
Committee/Convention Member |
0.5 credits/year |
|
Accreditation Participation (CPSA, CMA, ASCP) |
0.5 credits/accreditation day |
Scientific Presentations
|
PD credits
|
|
Presenting a paper, poster, or lecture at congress or |
1.0 credit/lecture hour |
|
Publication of scientific paper in a recognized journal - primary author - secondary author |
3.0 credits/paper 1.0 credit/paper |
|
Preparation of a scientific or lab-related article |
0.2 credits/article |
|
Presentation/Development of Courses |
PD credits |
|
Presenting lectures in live courses |
0.5 credits/lecture hour |
|
Presenting a course exam (must be for credited course) |
1.0 credit/exam hour |
|
Course development |
0.2 credit/development hour |
Scientific Editorial Work
|
PD credits
|
|
Scientific Editor of CJMLS or equivalent scientific publications |
5.0 credits/year |
|
Scientific Advisor or editorial consultant |
1.0 credit/year |
|
Preparing book reviews |
0.5 credits/review |
|
Acting as CSMLS Examiner |
1.0 credit year |
CATEGORY 3 – EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES (without supporting documentation) (Maximum 1.0 credit can be earned in Category 3)
|
Activity |
PD Credits |
|
Reviewing relevant lab-related videos |
0.1 credit per hour |
|
Attending in-services, seminars, workshops or medical rounds which are not employer mandated |
0.1 credit per hour |
|
Reading lab-related literature from scientific journals |
0.1 credit per hour |
|
Participation on professional committees in the workplace (e.g. Safety Committee) |
0.1 credit per hour |
|
Any other educational activity for which there is no documentation |
0.1 credit per hour |
NOTE: WHMIS, TDG, SOPs, and employer-mandated equipment in-services DO NOT QUALIFY.
Completion of Documentation Forms
1. All information must be as complete as possible. Missing information may cause a delay in assessing credits.
- receipts for fees for attendance at conference/convention (provide a copy of the program to validate the number of days/hours and the content)
- certificate of achievement/transcripts of marks for completion of courses
- any other documentation that proves participation in the educational activity (e.g. letter indicating the number of hours must be listed).
3. Be sure to list ALL activities undertaken in ALL categories. If one activity is not eligible, there may be other activities that are eligible under that category.
4. All activities should be recorded using the Application Form or you may use your own log sheet, provided it includes ALL required information.
5. Attach copies of all transcripts, receipts, letters, etc. (to application form), and keep originals for your personal files.
6. Courses or activities for which there is no supporting documentation may be submitted in Category 3.
7. Contact hours do not include examination or assignment time, only the number of hours of instruction or the number of hours to review the material for activities.
8. If you have any questions about the eligibility of your CE activities for credits, please contact the College.
9. In specific cases where a PD certificate is a condition for an MLT practice permit, course work required to obtain professional credentials or included in a formal program of study are not applicable (e.g. required course work for completion of BSc).
