CMLTO releases 2017 Annual Report
27 July 2018
The CMLTO is pleased to announce the publication of the 2017 Annual Report in English (PDF) and in French (PDF).
The report illustrates the CMLTO's key accomplishments in fulfilling its mission/mandate to protect the public's right to safe, high-quality health care through self-regulation and leadership of the medical laboratory technology profession.
CMLTO Annual Reports are located online here.
The report illustrates the CMLTO's key accomplishments in fulfilling its mission/mandate to protect the public's right to safe, high-quality health care through self-regulation and leadership of the medical laboratory technology profession.
CMLTO Annual Reports are located online here.
CMLTO website issues
25 July 2018
Please note that the latest version of the Chrome browser now indicates that cmlto.com is not a secure site. This site does not collect and manage user data. The CMLTO websites to which users do provide personal information (for application and registration purposes) are secure. The CMLTO is working on correcting the issue. Thank you for your patience.
Updated Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics to take effect in 2019
19 July 2018
As part of the CMLTO Council’s regular review of its policies and foundational documents, the CMLTO Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics were scheduled for review at the September 2017 Council meeting.
Leading up to Council review, CMLTO worked with the members of the Canadian Alliance of Medical Laboratory Professional Regulators (CAMLPR) from 2013 to 2016 to draft a national Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics for medical laboratory technologists.
At its September 25, 2017 meeting, CMLTO Council approved the updated Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics, based on the documents drafted by CAMLPR.
The updated CMLTO Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics will take effect January 1, 2019.
The updated CMLTO Standards of Practice can be found here.
The updated CMLTO Code of Ethics can be found here.
MLTs will need to be aware of the professional obligations contained within the updated CMLTO Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics. Furthermore, the CMLTO Quality Assurance Program (QAP) is based on the Standards of Practice, and as such, modifications will need to be made to the various components of the QAP to align with the new document.
If you have any questions about the updated CMLTO Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics at any time, please email memberrelations@cmlto.com.
Leading up to Council review, CMLTO worked with the members of the Canadian Alliance of Medical Laboratory Professional Regulators (CAMLPR) from 2013 to 2016 to draft a national Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics for medical laboratory technologists.
At its September 25, 2017 meeting, CMLTO Council approved the updated Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics, based on the documents drafted by CAMLPR.
The updated CMLTO Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics will take effect January 1, 2019.
The updated CMLTO Standards of Practice can be found here.
The updated CMLTO Code of Ethics can be found here.
MLTs will need to be aware of the professional obligations contained within the updated CMLTO Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics. Furthermore, the CMLTO Quality Assurance Program (QAP) is based on the Standards of Practice, and as such, modifications will need to be made to the various components of the QAP to align with the new document.
If you have any questions about the updated CMLTO Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics at any time, please email memberrelations@cmlto.com.
CMLTO registration class, employment status and professional obligations
13 July 2018
All MLTs are reminded that their employment status does not have an effect on their professional obligations to meet the CMLTO Quality Assurance Program (QAP) requirements.
There are two classes of CMLTO member registration:
Examples:
Examples:
Failure to complete the annual registration renewal process does not constitute resigning from the College.
Example:
Click here to read or download a PDF which outlines the registration classes’ requirements and restrictions.
There are two classes of CMLTO member registration:
- Practising – Members have met all the registration requirements (education, examination, active engagement in the profession) and are able to practise without restriction (except those members who are subject to terms, conditions, and limitations on their certificate of registration).
- Non-practising – Members have met the CMLTO registration requirements, but are not permitted to practise.
Examples:
- A member taking parental leave who maintains Practising registration is required to complete 30 hours of professional development despite not working.
- A member taking a sick leave who maintains Practising registration may be randomly selected to take part in a QAP audit.
Examples:
- A Practising member taking a parental leave chooses to change to Non-practising because she or he will not be working during the leave period.
- A Practising member is moving out of Ontario for two years so chooses to change to Non-practising class.
Failure to complete the annual registration renewal process does not constitute resigning from the College.
Example:
- Members who cease working as MLTs and do not renew their registration or resign their membership will be suspended due to non-payment of fees.
Click here to read or download a PDF which outlines the registration classes’ requirements and restrictions.
Mandatory reporting clarifications
13 July 2018
Employers, facilities and MLTs have a number of mandatory reporting obligations set out in the Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA). The Long-Term Care Homes Public Inquiry established on August 1, 2017, following Elizabeth Wettlaufer’s conviction for offences she committed while working as a registered nurse in Long-Term Care Homes, has put employer and facility reporting obligations in the news. The CMLTO has received many questions as a result of this media coverage. Employers, facilities, and MLTs are seeking clarification about what must be reported when and whether these obligations are affected in any way by union processes.
Employers
Every person, other than a patient, who employs or offers privileges to an MLT or associates in partnership or otherwise with an MLT for the purpose of offering health services, must file a report with the College if they:
A report must also be filed with the CMLTO if an MLT resigns, or voluntarily relinquishes or restricts their privileges or practice if there are reasonable grounds to believe that the resignation, relinquishment, or restriction is related to the member’s professional misconduct, incompetence or incapacity, or if it takes place during the course of, or as a result of, an investigation conducted into allegations related to professional misconduct, incompetence, or incapacity.
Employers must file these reports within 30 days.
Facilities
A person who operates a facility where one or more MLTs practise must file a report if the person has reasonable grounds to believe that an MLT who practises at the facility is incompetent, incapacitated, or has sexually abused a patient.
Facilities must file theses reports within 30 days unless there are reasonable grounds to believe that the MLT will continue to sexually abuse the patient or will sexually abuse other patients, or that the MLT’s incompetence or the incapacity is likely to expose a patient to harm or injury and there is urgent need for intervention, in which case the report must be filed immediately.
MLTs
MLTs must file a report if they have reasonable grounds, obtained in the course of practising the profession, to believe that another MLT or a member of a different College has sexually abused a patient. The report must be filed within 30 days unless there are reasonable grounds to believe that the MLT or other regulated health professional will continue to sexually abuse the patient or will sexually abuse other patients, in which case the report must be filed immediately. The report should not contain the patient’s name unless the MLT has the patient’s written permission to do so.
Members are also required to file a self-report to the CMLTO whenever they:
Below are some of the most frequently asked question regarding mandatory reports.
What if the MLT grieves the discipline imposed through their union?
Grievances filed by MLTs regarding the discipline imposed by employers do not affect an employer’s obligation to make the report within the required time period. The CMLTO’s processes are separate and distinct from the processes under a collective bargaining agreement. If the employer is aware that a grievance has been filed, this information can be included in the report.
What happens once a mandatory report is filed?
All mandatory reports are acknowledged and any additional information required is requested from the reporting party. If the mandatory report is from an employer or facility, the MLT who is the subject of the mandatory report is advised of the report and given an opportunity to make submissions regarding the report. All of the information received is considered by the Registrar & CEO who determines the next steps, if any.
What are the possible outcomes from a mandatory report?
In the case of reports from employers or facilities, the Registrar & CEO may do any of the following:
Who can I contact if I have more questions about mandatory reports?
For more information about mandatory reports, please contact our Professional Conduct department at professionalconduct@cmlto.com.
Employers
Every person, other than a patient, who employs or offers privileges to an MLT or associates in partnership or otherwise with an MLT for the purpose of offering health services, must file a report with the College if they:
- terminate an MLT’s employment
- revoke, suspend, or imposes restrictions on the privileges of an MLT
- dissolve a partnership, a health profession corporation, or association with an MLT
A report must also be filed with the CMLTO if an MLT resigns, or voluntarily relinquishes or restricts their privileges or practice if there are reasonable grounds to believe that the resignation, relinquishment, or restriction is related to the member’s professional misconduct, incompetence or incapacity, or if it takes place during the course of, or as a result of, an investigation conducted into allegations related to professional misconduct, incompetence, or incapacity.
Employers must file these reports within 30 days.
Facilities
A person who operates a facility where one or more MLTs practise must file a report if the person has reasonable grounds to believe that an MLT who practises at the facility is incompetent, incapacitated, or has sexually abused a patient.
Facilities must file theses reports within 30 days unless there are reasonable grounds to believe that the MLT will continue to sexually abuse the patient or will sexually abuse other patients, or that the MLT’s incompetence or the incapacity is likely to expose a patient to harm or injury and there is urgent need for intervention, in which case the report must be filed immediately.
MLTs
MLTs must file a report if they have reasonable grounds, obtained in the course of practising the profession, to believe that another MLT or a member of a different College has sexually abused a patient. The report must be filed within 30 days unless there are reasonable grounds to believe that the MLT or other regulated health professional will continue to sexually abuse the patient or will sexually abuse other patients, in which case the report must be filed immediately. The report should not contain the patient’s name unless the MLT has the patient’s written permission to do so.
Members are also required to file a self-report to the CMLTO whenever they:
- have been found guilty of an offence
- have a finding of professional negligence or malpractice made against them
- are a member of another body that governs a profession inside or outside of Ontario
- have a finding of professional misconduct or incompetence made against them by another body that governs a profession inside or outside of Ontario
- have been charged with an offence, and the report shall include information about every bail condition or other restriction imposed on, or agreed to, by the member in connection with the charge.
Below are some of the most frequently asked question regarding mandatory reports.
What if the MLT grieves the discipline imposed through their union?
Grievances filed by MLTs regarding the discipline imposed by employers do not affect an employer’s obligation to make the report within the required time period. The CMLTO’s processes are separate and distinct from the processes under a collective bargaining agreement. If the employer is aware that a grievance has been filed, this information can be included in the report.
What happens once a mandatory report is filed?
All mandatory reports are acknowledged and any additional information required is requested from the reporting party. If the mandatory report is from an employer or facility, the MLT who is the subject of the mandatory report is advised of the report and given an opportunity to make submissions regarding the report. All of the information received is considered by the Registrar & CEO who determines the next steps, if any.
What are the possible outcomes from a mandatory report?
In the case of reports from employers or facilities, the Registrar & CEO may do any of the following:
- Conclude the matter with no further action.
- Issue reminders or recommendations to the MLT.
- Ask the MLT to sign an appropriate Acknowledgment & Undertaking.
- Request the Inquiries, Complaints & Report Committee (ICRC) to approve the appointment of an investigator to conduct an investigation. The report from a completed investigation is dealt with by the ICRC
Who can I contact if I have more questions about mandatory reports?
For more information about mandatory reports, please contact our Professional Conduct department at professionalconduct@cmlto.com.
Regulation changes: Protecting Patients Act, 2017, and the RHPA
13 July 2018
As of May 1, 2018, new sections of the Protecting Patients Act, 2017 (Bill 87), which amend the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 (RHPA), and three new regulations under the RHPA came into effect.
Definition of a patient
The new regulation expands the definition of a patient, for the purposes of sexual abuse. A patient includes any one of the following:
An exception to this definition applies only if all of the following conditions are satisfied:
All members are required to report criminal charges and release restriction including bail conditions or other restriction imposed on the member as soon as possible to the CMLTO.
Requirements to post on the public register
Colleges are now required to report certain information about their members on the Public Register, including:
The new regulation expands the mandatory revocation provision to include situations when a member has been found guilty of any of the following offences:
151 – Sexual interference
152 – Invitation to sexual touching
153 - Sexual exploitation
153.1 – Sexual exploitation of a person with a disability
160 (3) – Bestiality in the presence of, or by a child
162 – Voyeurism
162.1 – Publication, etc., of an intimate image without consent
163.1 – Child pornography
170 – Parent or guardian procuring sexual activity
171.1 – Making sexually explicit material available to a child
172.1 – Luring a child
172.2 – Agreement or arrangement – sexual offence against a child
271 – Sexual assault
272 – Sexual assault with a weapon, threats to a third party or causing bodily harm
273 – Aggravated sexual assault.
If a member has been found guilty of any of the above-noted criminal offences, their Certificate of Registration must be revoked by a panel of the Discipline Committee.
Legislation
Protection Patients Act, 2017. Schedule 1, s 3, 4(3), 5 and Schedule 5, s. 5(1), (7), 6, 7, 18, 26, 27, 28, 31.
Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991. Schedule 2, Health Professions Procedural Code. Subsection 1 (6), 23(2) 51 (5.2) (a).
Definition of a patient
The new regulation expands the definition of a patient, for the purposes of sexual abuse. A patient includes any one of the following:
- a person who received healthcare services from the member and payment is charged or received
- an entry is made by the member to the health record for the person
- the person has provided consent to a healthcare service recommended by the member
- the member prescribed a drug for the person.
An exception to this definition applies only if all of the following conditions are satisfied:
- there is, at the time the professional provides the healthcare services, an existing sexual relationship between the individual and the professional
- the individual received a healthcare service from the professional in an emergency situation or in circumstances where the service is minor in nature
- the professional has taken reasonable steps to transfer the care of the individual to another professional or there is no reasonable opportunity to transfer care to another member.
All members are required to report criminal charges and release restriction including bail conditions or other restriction imposed on the member as soon as possible to the CMLTO.
Requirements to post on the public register
Colleges are now required to report certain information about their members on the Public Register, including:
- If there has been a finding of guilt made against a member under the Criminal Code or the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and certain information related to it.
- Any currently existing conditions of release following a charge for an offence under the Criminal Code or Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
- If a professional has been charged with an offence under the Criminal Code or the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and the charge is outstanding.
- If a member has been the subject of a disciplinary finding by another regulatory or licensing authority in any jurisdiction.
- If a member is currently licensed or registered to practise another profession in Ontario or a profession in another jurisdiction.
The new regulation expands the mandatory revocation provision to include situations when a member has been found guilty of any of the following offences:
151 – Sexual interference
152 – Invitation to sexual touching
153 - Sexual exploitation
153.1 – Sexual exploitation of a person with a disability
160 (3) – Bestiality in the presence of, or by a child
162 – Voyeurism
162.1 – Publication, etc., of an intimate image without consent
163.1 – Child pornography
170 – Parent or guardian procuring sexual activity
171.1 – Making sexually explicit material available to a child
172.1 – Luring a child
172.2 – Agreement or arrangement – sexual offence against a child
271 – Sexual assault
272 – Sexual assault with a weapon, threats to a third party or causing bodily harm
273 – Aggravated sexual assault.
If a member has been found guilty of any of the above-noted criminal offences, their Certificate of Registration must be revoked by a panel of the Discipline Committee.
Legislation
Protection Patients Act, 2017. Schedule 1, s 3, 4(3), 5 and Schedule 5, s. 5(1), (7), 6, 7, 18, 26, 27, 28, 31.
Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991. Schedule 2, Health Professions Procedural Code. Subsection 1 (6), 23(2) 51 (5.2) (a).
Volunteer opportunity for Practising MLTs
04 July 2018
The CMLTO is looking for Practising members in good standing to volunteer as Competence Evaluation Assessors.
For more information about the opportunity and how to apply, click here.
For more information about the opportunity and how to apply, click here.
Volunteer opportunity: Competence Evaluation Assessors
04 July 2018
Under the Medical Laboratory Technology Act, 1991 the CMLTO Quality Assurance Program (QAP) is composed of three components, one of which is the Competence Evaluation (CE). The CE assessment determines if a member possesses the knowledge, skill, and judgment necessary to meet the standards of practice of the profession. The CE consists of 15 questions verbally administered and answered, using a combination of behavioural-based and situational-based questions.
CE Assessors are appointed by the CMLTO Quality Assurance Committee (QAC) as described by Section 81 of the Health Professions Procedural Code under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991.
CMLTO is currently looking for MLTs that meet the following requirements to be considered as CE Assessors:
If you are interested in this opportunity, please submit the CE Assessor Expression of Interest form found here (PDF), along with your professional resume/curriculum vitae, by email to qualityassurance@cmlto.com.
CE Assessors are appointed by the CMLTO Quality Assurance Committee (QAC) as described by Section 81 of the Health Professions Procedural Code under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991.
CMLTO is currently looking for MLTs that meet the following requirements to be considered as CE Assessors:
- Practising member in good standing with the CMLTO
- minimum of five years of current experience as an MLT
- cannot be a current member of the CMLTO Council or a Non-Council Committee member
- recognizes and declares any potential conflict of interest
- complies with the requirements and responsibilities outlined in the CMLTO Confidentiality form.
If you are interested in this opportunity, please submit the CE Assessor Expression of Interest form found here (PDF), along with your professional resume/curriculum vitae, by email to qualityassurance@cmlto.com.
PLI audit reminder
28 June 2018
Members who were randomly selected and notified to provide proof of professional liability insurance (PLI) must complete the online annual audit by Friday, July 6, 2018, 11:59 pm EST. Please email the Registration department at registration@cmlto.com if you have any questions.
CMLTO closed for Canada Day
25 June 2018
The CMLTO office will be closed on July 2, 2018, in observance of the Canada Day statutory holiday. Regular office hours resume at 8:30 am on July 3rd.