The Quality Management Certificate (formerly the Clinical Laboratory Quality Management Certificate) is an online program that uses international and other relevant standards and guidelines to introduce the foundation principles and components of a quality management system.

Specifically designed to address the Quality System Essentials described by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI QMS01), concepts of quality management are taught that can be applied to lab settings nationally and internationally:

• Design, implement, maintain and improve a quality management system
• Create a customized quality management system to meet the specific needs of your laboratory
• Refine fundamental skills-including communication skills, working with teams and the essentials of project management
• Use quality improvement tools and techniques, including process mapping, benchmarking, root cause analysis and gap analysis

The program can be completed in 20 months if you enroll in one course per semester through five continuous semesters. All courses have College of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Ontario (CMLTO) approval.

It is an exciting career direction with considerable growth potential, as experienced laboratory managers are retiring, leaving few laboratory personnel with the necessary quality management skills to fill the position.

Quality Managers are needed across Canada, and it is likely that demand will also grow internationally. The International Standard ISO 15189: Medical Laboratories — Requirements for quality and competence – which forms the basis for Laboratory Accreditation requirements – establishes the need for all clinical laboratories to designate a Quality Manager.

The online learning environment and comprehensive nature of the course content to international standards makes this an excellent program choice for individuals interested in laboratory quality management around the world.