4/29/2004

History of Medical Laboratory Technology

Key Date Key Historical Fact

1890's

Doctors, mainly Pathologists, start to use assistants to perform such tasks as hand-slicing tissue and urinalysis.

1910

Laboratory technicians working in laboratories in hospitals in Canada (see photo of Sick Children's Hospital Laboratory from Public Archives, 1910). Margaret Rutherford, a technician in 1931 at Toronto General Hospital says "There were small laboratories scattered on various wards".

1920

Frank Elliot, becomes founding president of the Canadian Society of Medical Technologists (CSMT). Frank Elliot is a senior biochemist. The goals of the Society were to: improve the qualifications and standing of medical technicians; to promote a recognized professional status; promote research endeavour in all branches of laboratory work; to ensure by examination in practice, fully qualified technicians and to grant certificates to the Society.

First:

certification examinations (Registered Technicians)

annual national congress

distance education programs and CE library

1938

First set of examinations offered by the national association

1941

Ottawa Civic Hospital and others approved as training schools by the Canadian Medical Association. The CMA published the "Basis of Approval for Schools" setting the criteria for education.

1942

There are nine approved medical laboratory technician schools in Canada.

1948

There are 35 approved schools in Canada.

1950

Membership in the national society is at 1200.

1963

Ontario Society of Medical Technologists (OSMT) Incorporated.

Provincial political voice for technologists

Annual convention

On-site seminars and other continuing education

1969

There are over 10,000 technologists registered in Canada

1970

Training programs for technologists moved from "on the job" and in teaching hospitals to Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology and the Michener Institute

1971

Ontario passes the Health Disciplines Act. When the act is proclaimed in 1974, technologists are disappointed that they are not among the five health professions recognized in this act.

1977

Less invasive testing techniques more common. In cytology, flexible fibre-optic instruments can take brushings from the respiratory, alimentary or genitourinary track with minimal patient discomfort. More sophisticated technology makes laboratory work faster and more accurate.

1982

Health Professions Legislation Review set up by the provincial government to review all health professions.

1984

Over 7000 Ontario Medical Laboratory Technologists, represented by the national and regional societies, lobby the government of Ontario for their own College.

1990

After much lobbying and effort, the Regulated Health Professions Act passsed. The College of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Ontario was formed along with Colleges for nurses, doctors and other key medical professions. There were many firsts: · New entry to practice standards

Complaints and discipline process

Qualit

1992

A transitional Council (Board of Directors) is appointed and the College of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Ontario (CMLTO) is established.

1993/1994

Over 8510 applications were received and over 8470 members were registered with the College of Medical Laboratory Technologists. A number of committees were established to bring more focus and direction to the profession:

Committees:

Executive

Registration

Complaints

Discipline

Fitness to Practise

Quality Assurance

Patient Relations

1995

All of the committees have established processes to operate effectively. Everyone registered with the College meets the standards set by the Committees. The Committees are operating effectively, fulfilling their respective mandates with governance models that ensure they are effective. The profession is truly regulated and the public interests are protected.

The Standards of Practice for Medical Laboratory Technologists are shared all members in Ontario. 1996/1997 The College issues standards and guidelines to respond to the professions constantly changing needs. A "Professional Portfolio" is developed for members to ensure they are participating in a minimum of sixty hours of self development activity every 2 years. The portfolio is a tool that helps members take on the responsibility for their own personal development. On-site monitoring of practice excellence is discussed. · The College launches cmlto.com, a internet resource for all of our key stakeholders!

1999 - 2003?

It's up to all of us. The more we commit to the profession, the greater the achievements now and in the future.

Key Date	Key Historical Fact
1890's	Doctors, mainly Pathologists, start to use assistants to perform such tasks as hand-slicing tissue and urinalysis.
1910	Laboratory technicians working in laboratories in hospitals in Canada (see photo of Sick Children's Hospital Laboratory from Public Archives, 1910). Margaret Rutherford, a technician in 1931 at Toronto General Hospital says "There were small laboratories scattered on various wards".
1920	Frank Elliot, becomes founding president of the Canadian Society of Medical Technologists (CSMT). Frank Elliot is a senior biochemist. The goals of the Society were to: improve the qualifications and standing of medical technicians; to promote a recognized professional status; promote research endeavour in all branches of laboratory work; to ensure by examination in practice, fully qualified technicians and to grant certificates to the Society. First: certification examinations (Registered Technicians) annual national congress distance education programs and CE library
1938	First set of examinations offered by the national association
1941	Ottawa Civic Hospital and others approved as training schools by the Canadian Medical Association. The CMA published the "Basis of Approval for Schools" setting the criteria for education.
1942	There are nine approved medical laboratory technician schools in Canada.
1948	There are 35 approved schools in Canada.
1950	Membership in the national society is at 1200.
1963	Ontario Society of Medical Technologists (OSMT) Incorporated. Provincial political voice for technologists Annual convention On-site seminars and other continuing education
1969	There are over 10,000 technologists registered in Canada
1970	Training programs for technologists moved from "on the job" and in teaching hospitals to Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology and the Michener Institute
1971	Ontario passes the Health Disciplines Act. When the act is proclaimed in 1974, technologists are disappointed that they are not among the five health professions recognized in this act.
1977	Less invasive testing techniques more common. In cytology, flexible fibre-optic instruments can take brushings from the respiratory, alimentary or genitourinary track with minimal patient discomfort. More sophisticated technology makes laboratory work faster and more accurate.
1982	Health Professions Legislation Review set up by the provincial government to review all health professions.
1984	Over 7000 Ontario Medical Laboratory Technologists, represented by the national and regional societies, lobby the government of Ontario for their own College.
1990	After much lobbying and effort, the Regulated Health Professions Act passsed. The College of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Ontario was formed along with Colleges for nurses, doctors and other key medical professions. There were many firsts: · New entry to practice standards Complaints and discipline process Qualit
1992	A transitional Council (Board of Directors) is appointed and the College of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Ontario (CMLTO) is established.
1993/1994	Over 8510 applications were received and over 8470 members were registered with the College of Medical Laboratory Technologists. A number of committees were established to bring more focus and direction to the profession: Committees: Executive Registration Complaints Discipline Fitness to Practise Quality Assurance Patient Relations
1995	All of the committees have established processes to operate effectively. Everyone registered with the College meets the standards set by the Committees. The Committees are operating effectively, fulfilling their respective mandates with governance models that ensure they are effective. The profession is truly regulated and the public interests are protected. The Standards of Practice for Medical Laboratory Technologists are shared all members in Ontario. 1996/1997 The College issues standards and guidelines to respond to the professions constantly changing needs. A "Professional Portfolio" is developed for members to ensure they are participating in a minimum of sixty hours of self development activity every 2 years. The portfolio is a tool that helps members take on the responsibility for their own personal development. On-site monitoring of practice excellence is discussed. · The College launches cmlto.com, a internet resource for all of our key stakeholders!
1999 - 2003?	It's up to all of us. The more we commit to the profession, the greater the achievements now and in the future.