Vancouver Community College - Programs / Courses - Medical Laboratory Assistant
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Medical Laboratory Assistant

This program consists of a combination of theory and practical experience designed for graduates to function effectively as medical laboratory assistants. Students learn how to obtain, handle and distribute various body specimens, including blood, and perform electrocardiograms. Students have the opportunity to apply their knowledge and practice various skills in private laboratory and hospital laboratory settings. While on campus, students practise their skills on each other. This includes venipunctures and ECGs.


If you know the admission requirements, Apply Now

Find out more about this program:


Program Description

This program is offered in one six-month term. The College places students in one clinical, and upon completion of the clinical, students return to the classroom.

Note: Students who wish to insert into this program must do so within one year of their previous registration. Students who wish to enrol after a one year period, must take the entire program.

Start Length Credential Campus Part or Full‑time
May, November 6 months Certificate Broadway Full-time


Career Prospects

Graduates may seek employment as medical laboratory assistants in private and hospital laboratories.

Information about graduate outcomes


Admission Requirements

General

VCC welcomes applications from Canadian citizens, permanent residents and international students.

Exceptions
Convention refugees as designated by the federal government;

Foreign live-in caregivers;

Individuals with work permits valid for at least one year, covering the duration of studies; or those with Approval in Principle letters from Citizenship and Immigration Canada;

Legal dependents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents (certain conditions apply);

Diplomats and their direct dependents;

International exchange students.

VCC will require proof of citizenship, residency, diplomatic or refugee status. Please see VCC's policy relating to admission for non-citizens and non-residents for more information.

International students
VCC welcomes international students from around the world to the college's academic or career programs.

To learn more about language requirements for your program of interest, please read our English-language requirements guide; to learn more about how to apply, please see the VCC International website.

We look forward to meeting you.


As Vancouver Community College is a post-secondary institution committed to educating adult learners, applicants should be 18 years of age or older or a graduate of a secondary school.

Please note that you must submit official transcripts and educational documents to support your application; unfortunately, we cannot accept photocopies or fax versions.


Program Specific

1) Grade 12 graduation or equivalent

2) Proof of English Language Proficiency which includes a Canadian Language Benchmark of Listening 8, Speaking 8, Reading 8, and Writing 7

3) VCC MEDC 1010 Medical Terminology (Basic) with a C+ or better, OR completion of a Human Biology course with a C or better (e.g. Biology 12) OR previous related education/training in a Health Care field (e.g. RN, Practical Nursing, Medical Laboratory Technologist, Biochemistry). For more information click here.

4) Certified five minute keyboarding test with a typing speed of 40 gross words per minute or higher with a maximum of 5 errors. For more information click here.

All requests for transfer credits or course exemptions for all courses in the program must be submitted with application Click here for Request for Transfer Credit (PDF) form.

Upon Acceptance:
5) Proof of a negative TB skin test or chest xray. For further information about Health requirements click here

6) Criminal Record Search Each applicant is responsible for any costs incurred. Applicants who have drug-related charges should consult with the Registrar's Office prior to applying to the program. The CRS must be received by the Registrar's Office prior to the first day of class.

Seats are offered to applicants who have met all admission requirements, on a first-qualified, first-served basis

Recommended characteristics

- Ability to perform fine motor skills

- A caring, confident, and thoughtful approach to people

- Excellent English written, oral and listening skills

- Free of any tendency to develop dermatitis. Students should not have latex allergies.

- Freedom from back problems

Program Status

Accepting applications (approximate 1 year waitlist)

Apply to this Program


The first step, apply early. Students who have officially applied and met all admission requirements are sent a letter of acceptance approximately four to five months in advance of the next available start date.

    Online     Fax     In Person
If you're ready and know the program you want, apply now. Download and complete the (PDF) application form and fax to 604.871.7458. Visit us at one of our campus locations.

After you apply, you can check your Check application status to see if all of the requirements have been met or to update contact information. Please use the temporary login ID and Personal Identification Number (PIN) that you used to complete your original online application.


Fees and Other Costs


Application Fee Tuition Fee
$30.00 $1,830

International Tuition Fees

Application Fee Tuition Fee Ancillary Fee
$125.00 $7,993.20 $305


Other Costs

Cost Type Details
College initiative fee $52.80
Student union fee $23.69
Other costs Textbooks, supplies and uniform: $400Student Union Health Plan: $71.07Student Union Dental Plan: $67.71


- Fees are approximate and subject to change without notice. Students making advanced payments for programs/courses or installment payments for current programs, will be required to pay increased rates. The application fee is non-refundable. For more information, see withdrawals and refunds specific to this program.


Additional Information

Health Requirements:

Updated immunizations strongly recommended: measles, mumps, rubella, polio, tetanus, diphtheria, hepatitis B vaccine and current influenza vaccination. Please review Important Health Requirements for the VCC School of Health Sciences.


Courses

Term 1
Course Name Course Code Credits
Clinical Practice MLAB 1210 4.0
Electrocardiography MLAB1105 4.0
Human Relations Skills NUCL 1124 1.0
Laboratory Fundamentals MLAB 1102 2.5
Medical Laboratory Office & Computer/Data Entry Skills MLAB 1106 1.5
Medical Laboratory Procedures MLAB 1104 4.0
Specimen Collection and Handling MLAB 1103 5.0
Work Role: Introduction to Medical Laboratory Assistant Practice MLAB 1101 2.0


Note: All course/program information including course/program content, length, admission requirements, prerequisites, start/end dates, postponements and/or cancellation is subject to change without notice.