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Shortage of Lab Professionals
Continues Post-Pandemic (July 2023)

Jul 1, 2023

Medical laboratory professionals were the backbone of the COVID-19 crisis. The pandemic has been declared over, but the shortage of Medical Laboratory Technologists (MLT) rages on. As surgeries ramp up and Ontarians return to visiting their physicians and lab testing increases, Ontario laboratories continue to struggle. Lab professionals are experiencing severe burnout as the number of lab tests continues to climb and the number of lab professionals diminishes.


The MLPAO conducted a survey in Spring 2023 to assess the current staffing challenges facing Ontario labs. Currently, 39% of MLTs in Ontario are approaching retirementⁱ. Labs across Ontario, especially in rural and remote communities struggle recruit MLTs to fill their vacant positions. According to the CDC, 70% of medical decisions rely on laboratory results. Medical laboratory professionals impact all aspects of patient care, from emergency rooms to family medicine to mental health. Action is needed now.


Overview:

• 58% stated shortages are affecting testing turnaround times

• 74% of job openings are unfilled for longer than 3 months

• 72% of vacancies are MLT vacancies (increase from 68% in 2022)

• 82% of the openings in remote areas are MLT vacancies

• 76% of rural and remote labs have unfilled vacancies for more than 3 months

• 311 open MLT positions down from 401 in 2022 (fewer labs responded to 2023 survey than the 2022 survey)



MLPAO’s Call to Action must be addressed immediately.






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