Training

How do I become a clinical chemist?

There are several routes to becoming a Clinical Chemist in Canada.  The most common is first to obtain a Ph.D. in a branch of chemistry or life science (often biochemistry or physiology) and then to enter a two-year Postdoctoral Training Program in Clinical Chemistry (one centre has a 3-year program).  Such programs, available at 4 universities in Canada are directed toward acquiring professional competence as well as a small research complement. 

Professional competence is assessed through written and oral examinations set and supervised by the Canadian Academy of Clinical Biochemistry (CACB), a body within the Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists (CSCC).  A Specialty Certificate is awarded following successful completion of the examinations.  A few Clinical Chemists enter the field via a Doctoral Program in Clinical Chemistry, which incorporated a hospital laboratory rotation as part of the Ph.D. requirements.

Postdoctoral Training Programs

University of Toronto, Toronto Ontario
Program Head:  Dr. Khosrow Adeli  [k.adeli@utoronto.ca]

McMaster University, Hamilton Ontario
Program Head:  Dr. Stephen Hill  [hillstev@hhsc.ca]

Université de Montréal,Montréal, Québec
(D.E.P.D.; Diplôme d'Études Post-Doctorales)
Program Head:  Dr. Roger Sanfaçon  [rsanfacon.hmr@ssss.gouv.gc.ca]

University of Manitoba and Diagnostic Services Manitoba, Winnipeg Manitoba
Program Head:  Dr. David Parry  [dparry@dsmanitoba.ca]
DSM website
PGME website
Information package on this program

If you have a university degree from a university outside Canada or the USA, and need your credentials assess and recognized for one of these programs, please consult the Government of Canada Foreign Credentials Referred Office (1-888-854-1805).

For more detailed information on the examination process, go to the Certification page, which includes the Syllabus (English and French versions), and copies of recent examinations.