Academic Programs

​​​The Academic Programs department, located at the St. Patrick Campus of The Michener Institute of Education at UHN, prides itself on understanding the needs of the health care system and shaping health technology programs so that graduates are prepared to meet the demands in the field – today, and into the future. Most importantly, the academic programs instill the values of UHN into our learners: "The needs of patients come first."

The success of our learners is built on the breadth and scope of our programs, the public value of what we teach and the steps we take to recruit and retain the best faculty. It is about constantly adjusting our programs and implementing a hands-on, practice-based education model that will prepare students for today's – and tomorrow's  –​ health care workforce.

There are five academic chairs representing the major program portfolios taught at the School of Applied Health Sciences, which include Medical Laboratory Sciences, Chiropody, Critical Care, Radiation Therapy and Imaging.

Medical Laboratory Services

Medical Laboratory Sciences is made up of the following academic programs:

Medical Laboratory Science

Medical Laboratory Technologists (MLTs) are the fourth largest group of health care professionals in Ontario, and their career outlook is very positive due to an impending national shortage of MLTs.

While most Medical Laboratory Technologists work in hospitals and private laboratories, MLTs also find challenging employment in other areas. From sales and marketing, laboratory information systems and technical support to public health laboratories and infection control, the MLT's analytical, scientific and technical skills are a valuable asset.

Genetics Technology

Genetics Technology is a constantly evolving and rewarding career. The lab of today is a far more complicated one than the lab of just 10 years ago. As new discoveries advance scientific knowledge, the Genetic Technologist's role will continue to change and expand. Even now, we can see the impact of future tests that may be developed for diagnosing such health problems as cancer or genetic disorders.

The College of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Ontario (CMLTO) accepts graduates from the Genetics Technology Program at The Michener Institute of Education at UHN as Medical Laboratory Technologists with competencies in both cytogenetics and molecular genetics.

Diagnostic Cytology

Medical Laboratory Science including Diagnostic Cytology is a regulated health profession.

The Diagnostic Cytology program at the School of Applied Health Sciences complies with all five accreditation requirements (2014 Requirements for accreditation - Conjoint Accreditation Services). Graduates are eligible to write the national certification examination conducted by the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS). Successful completion qualifies the graduate to seek employment across Canada; those wishing to practice in Ontario must also register with the College of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Ontario (CMLTO).

Chiropody

The Michener Institute of Education at UHN has the only English-speaking Chiropody program in Canada and has a working Chiropody Clinic at the St. Patrick Campus for students to treat patients under the supervision of licensed Chiropodists, who are also faculty.

As a primary health care practitioner in Chiropody, you will be involved in the assessment and management of foot and lower limb conditions. Many graduates find rewarding work in public community health centres and hospitals or even open their own private practices. Our graduates go on to work with many different health care professionals such as nurses, dermatologists, vascular surgeons, orthopedic surgeons, physiotherapists and physicians.

Chiropody is a regulated health profession; to work as a Chiropodist in Ontario, you must be registered with the College of Chiropodists of Ontario. Graduates are eligible to write the College's provincial registration exams.

Critical Care

Critical Care is made up of the following academic programs:

Cardiovascular Perfusion

The Cardiovascular Perfusion program at The Michener Institute of Education at UHN is accredited by Accreditation Canada. Graduates are eligible to write the certification examinations of the Canadian Society of Clinical Perfusion and the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion and are employed in cardiac surgery centres across Canada and the United States.

Anesthesia Assistant

Anesthesia Assistants (AA) work in operating rooms as mid-level anesthesia providers and are part of Anesthesia Care Teams (ACT) in many facilities across Canada. The AA works under the direct supervision of the anesthesiologist and under the authority of medical directives. Significant growth in the profession is anticipated due to the aging population and the associated rise in surgical procedures, and a decrease in the number of anesthesiologists in Canada. Anesthesia Assistants' skills are also required in other areas of the hospital, including post-operative care areas, labour and delivery, emergency, and intensive care.

Respiratory Therapy

There is a lot of diversity in the field of Respiratory Therapy. Many RTs work in hospitals in the intensive care unit, delivery room, operating room, emergency department and/or pulmonary function lab. RTs may also bring their skills into the community, where they work in home care, complex continuing care or rehabilitation facilities. Career opportunities are also growing in business environments, research and education. With a diploma in Respiratory Therapy from The Michener Institute of Education at UHN, learners can complete a university degree.

Radiation Therapy

The Radiation Therapy program has an offering from the University of Toronto.

Radiation Therapists work within an interdisciplinary oncology team consisting of physicians and other health care providers in cancer centres. They use advanced computer systems and sophisticated radiation therapy equipment to deliver radiation beams to destroy tumours. They play an important role in providing patient support throughout the treatment process, including counselling patients on expected radiation side effects and ways to minimize them.

Radiation Therapists often progress through their careers to research activities, advanced specialist roles, management, education, sales/marketing, other specialties such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT), and higher education such as the Master of Health Science in Medical Radiation Sciences at the University of Toronto.

Graduates are eligible to write the national certification examinations conducted by the Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists (CAMRT). Certification qualifies graduates to work across Canada and allows them to apply for registration with the College of Medical Radiation Technologists of Ontario (CMRTO).

Imaging

Imaging is made up of the following academic programs:

Radiological Technology (with U of T)

Educated in anatomy and physiology, patient positioning, equipment protocols, radiation safety and protection, and fundamental patient care skills, Radiological Technologists often specialize in a particular area of diagnostic imaging.

Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging Technology (with U of T)

Nuclear Medicine Technologists are part of an interdisciplinary diagnostic imaging team working in a variety of clinical environments including; community or teaching hospitals, private clinics, research institutes and public health institutions.

Future career opportunities as a Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Technologist include (but are not limited to) research activities, advanced roles such as Positron Emission Tomography (PET), Computed Tomography (CT), management, education and sales/marketing. Many graduates seek further training and certification in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound (US), and Imaging Informatics, as well as pursuing higher education opportunities at a Master's level.

Ultrasound

Graduates from the Ultrasound program work directly with patients in the Sonography departments in hospitals and private clinics. Career opportunities are also possible in the areas of education (didactic and clinical), research, sales, application as well as supervisory and/or management positions.

Graduates may apply to the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Certificate program and to the Imaging Informatics Advanced Certificate program at The Michener Institute of Education at UHN's School of Applied Health Sciences.

Graduates may also apply for advanced standing at Ryerson University or obtain their Bachelor's degree in Applied Sciences (Medical Imaging) or Master's degree in Applied Sciences (Medical Ultrasound) through distance education from Charles Sturt University.