Medical laboratory assistant certificate
Medical Laboratory Assistant Certificate
Part of the route toMedical Laboratory Assistant·Certificate
A 6 to 8 month college program training you in blood collection (phlebotomy), specimen processing, and medical laboratory safety.
How long
6–8 Months (24–30 Weeks)
Cost
Not published
Schools
6 in BC
THE ROUTE
How this program works, step by step
Grade 11 to the job. Open any step to see what is inside.
The route (8 steps)
1Grade 11 Preparation
2Grade 12 Graduation
3Admissions & Prerequisites
4Application Process
5Program Curriculum
6Where to Take It
7Licensing & Certification
8Career Destination
For the best view, open the map full screen.
STEP BY STEP
Step by step
The same route as the map, as a list.
1
Step 1 of 8
Grade 11
⏱ 1 School Year- Chemistry 11. Requirement varies by school (British Columbia Institute of Technology, College of New Caledonia). Strictest requirement: C.
- Pre-Calculus 11. Requirement varies by school (British Columbia Institute of Technology, College of New Caledonia). Strictest requirement: C.
- Life Sciences 11. Requirement varies by school (Stenberg College, Vancouver Community College, Camosun College, and 1 others). Strictest requirement: C.
2
Step 2 of 8
Grade 12
⏱ 1 School Year- BC High School Graduation (Dogwood Diploma). Requirement varies by school (Stenberg College, Thompson Rivers University). Strictest requirement: C.
- Anatomy & Physiology 12. Requirement varies by school (Stenberg College, Vancouver Community College, Camosun College, and 3 others). Strictest requirement: C.
- English Studies 12. Requirement varies by school (Vancouver Community College, Camosun College, British Columbia Institute of Technology, and 1 others). Strictest requirement: C.
3
Step 3 of 8
What you need to get in
- Standard First Aid with CPR-C and clear Criminal Record Check
- Typing test (minimum 30 wpm)
- Criminal Record Check and CPR Level C / BLS
- Medical terminology coursework strongly recommended
- CPR-C and BC Criminal Record Check
4
Step 4 of 8
How to apply
- Apply online directly to BCIT, College of New Caledonia, or Stenberg College
- Cohorts start in September and January depending on the institution
- Submit academic transcripts and completed applicant questionnaire
- Provide immunization documentation and undergo criminal record clearance
5
Step 5 of 8
Medical laboratory assistant certificate
⏱ 6–8 Months (24–30 Weeks)- Phlebotomy: vacuum tube blood collection, capillary micro-collection, and order of draw
- Specimen triage: accessioning, centrifuge separation, and distribution to lab departments
- Clinical microbiology: inoculating culture plates and preparing Gram stains
- Histopathology and cytology: tissue cassette preparation and slide mounting fundamentals
- Full-time hospital clinical practicum in acute hospital diagnostic laboratories
6
Step 6 of 8
Where to take it
⏱ 6 schools in BC- British Columbia Institute of Technology — 6 months (Not published)
- Camosun College — 10 months (Not published)
- College of New Caledonia — 6 months (Not published)
- Thompson Rivers University — 6–12 months (Not published)
- Vancouver Community College — 6 months (Not published)
- Stenberg College — 7 months (Not published)
7
Step 7 of 8
Exams and registration after
- BC Society of Laboratory Science (BCSLS) MLA Certification Examination
8
Step 8 of 8
Leads to: Medical Laboratory Assistant
- Explore Medical Laboratory Assistant wages, job outlook, and career pathways
SCHOOLS
Where you can take this(6 schools)
Compare tuitions, campus locations, and delivery formats across approved institutions in British Columbia.
🔬
Duration6 months
TuitionNot published
DeliveryHybrid
“Comprehensive phlebotomy and diagnostic lab specimen training preparing for BCSLS provincial certification.”
🌊
Duration10 months
TuitionNot published
DeliveryIn-Person
“Accreditation Canada / EQual accredited 10-month MLA certificate based in Victoria preparing students for BCSLS certification.”
🚜
Duration6 months
TuitionNot published
DeliveryIn-Person
“Northern BC medical lab assistant program with clinical hospital placement in Northern Health facilities.”
🐾
Duration6–12 months
TuitionNot published
DeliveryHybrid
“Accreditation Canada accredited distance education certificate with regional hospital phlebotomy and lab practicum placements.”
🩺
Duration6 months
TuitionNot published
DeliveryIn-Person
“Accreditation Canada / EQual accredited MLA certificate program in Vancouver with clinical laboratory practicum.”
🔬
Duration7 months
TuitionNot published
DeliveryHybrid
“Intensive health care education program covering venipuncture, lab instrumentation, and acute care practicum.”