Scholarships/Tuition Discounts: $2,000 tuition discount
Course Delivery: Combined delivery (online theory and in-person labs)
Duration: 30 weeks, including a 4-week practicum
Start: January, April, July & October
Wages: Earn $29.97/hr in hospitals and up to $30.05/hr in private labs
Recognized By: BC Society of Laboratory Science (BCSLS)
Student Diversity:

Stenberg supports diversity in our student population, and we hold one seat per program for a self-identified Indigenous applicant who meets admission requirements. If the seat remains unfilled at 12 weeks prior to the program start, the seat will be released and offered to other qualified applicants.

About the Career

Medical Laboratory Assistants are excellent multitaskers. They are responsible for phlebotomy (taking blood samples), collecting other samples, electrocardiograms (ECGs), preparing specimens for testing, data entry, and are often the laboratory professionals who interact directly with patients. They are integral members of the health care team who share knowledge, promote learning, collaborate with other professionals, and contribute to essential patient care.

If you have good communication skills and an interest in working in a lab or hospital setting, consider a career as a Medical Laboratory Assistant.

As a Medical Lab Assistant, you’ll find opportunities for employment in:

  • Hospitals
  • Communities and private laboratories
  • Public health laboratories
  • Private health insurance companies
  • Research institutions
Become a Medical Lab Assistant (MLA) Two students and an instructor participating in an MLA lab
More coming soon.

About the Program

In this seven-month program, you’ll learn the art and skill of blood collection. You will put theory into practice during labs and practicum placements, and learn from working industry professionals to develop clinical and technical skills.

This program is offered online, with labs located in Surrey and Duncan, B.C. Practicum placements on Vancouver Island are offered through Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA), and LifeLabs in Victoria (and surrounding areas), Nanaimo, Duncan, and Courtenay.

Graduates are prepared to meet the competency requirements set by the British Columbia Society of Laboratory Science (BCSLS), and are qualified to register with the BCSLS after program completion.

Admission Requirements

Pre-requisites

  • Grade 12 graduation or Mature Student Status (19 years of age or older)
  • Grade 11-level English course or higher, or one of the following:
  • Acceptable score in one of the approved LPR tests as noted above.
  • Accuplacer: Reading 230, Writing 230 and WritePlacer 4
  • CLBPT: No component less than 6
  • English challenge exam (minimum 70%)
  • Passing Stenberg College entrance examination for Math (minimum 70%) or the following in lieu:
  • Evidence of any Math 11 or higher
  • Minimum typing speed of 40 wpm
  • Successful completion of the online Computer Skills Entrance Test (minimum 70%)
  • Completion of Stenberg College informational interview as part of the admissions procedure
  • Completion of a Criminal Record Consent Form under the Criminal Record Review Act as part of the admissions procedure

LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY REQUIREMENT 

English is the language of instruction at Stenberg College. Therefore, all applicants must demonstrate an adequate level of English proficiency to ensure success in any program and courses by meeting one of the following minimum requirements:

  • Evidence of completion of 3 years of full-time Secondary if Grades 8-12, or 2 years of Secondary if Grades 10-12, or 2 years of Post-Secondary education in English in a country where English is one of the principal languages. (Language courses cannot be included in this calculation)

OR

  • Submit the results of one of the accepted English language proficiency tests at the score level specific to the program as listed in the admission requirements below.
  • IELTS Academic – Overall band score of 6.0 with no component less than 5.5
  • Duolingo – Overall score of 105 with no component less than 85
  • CELPIP – Overall score of 7 with no component less than 6
  • TOEFL – Minimum overall score of 68
  • CAEL – Minimum overall score of 50
  • Pearson PTE Academic – Minimum overall score of 50

OR

  • Mature students that are 19 years of age or older at the start of the program and a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who cannot access their educational records or provide sufficient evidence of secondary or post-secondary education as outlined above can:
  1. Complete an English Language Attestation to confirm completion of 3 years of full-time instruction in English in a country where English is one of the principal languages, AND
  2. Complete an Accuplacer Next Generation English Assessment with minimum scores of: Reading 230, Writing 230 and WritePlacer 4

Evidence may be demonstrated by providing a high school transcript, completion of a provincial Adult Graduation program, permanent student record, GED, or by providing international education credentials confirming medium of instruction in English as recognized through WES, ICES, or IQAS. Alternatively, where 2 years of post-secondary education are being determined based on credits, it is expected that the student has taken studies with a minimum of18 credits per academic year and/or indicates completion of a minimum of36 credits in total.

For regulated programs, language proficiency requirements, including permitted tests and scores dictated by the regulatory body, will supersede all else.

Please note that this program is not eligible for the post-graduate work permit program.

Program Courses

Student Support

  • Academic tutoring
  • Assessment and skill development support
  • Open study skills tutorials
  • Typing practice support
  • One-on-one student support coaching sessions
  • English language learning support
  • Online learning resources
  • Online academic journals and databases
  • Campus life events

Our Faculty

Accreditation and Recognition

Stenberg College is designated by the BC government’s Ministry of Advanced Education through the Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit (PTIRU). This program is approved by the PTIRU of the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills. PTIRU is responsible for setting standards of quality and ensuring consumer protection. Stenberg College has also received the BC government’s Education Quality Assurance (EQA) designation, which is BC’s brand or “seal” of quality post-secondary education for public and private institutions.

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