Medical Laboratory Assistant
January 2027
Learn to collect blood (phlebotomy), process biological samples, perform electrocardiograms (ECG), and communicate effectively with patients and other health care providers.
Did you apply for May 2026? You will follow the admissions requirements, courses, and fees that were in place at the time you applied. This page has been updated with program information that is effective starting January 2027.
Medical Laboratory Assistant
Info Week at VCC
Join us online or in-person for our info sessions, April 20-24.
What you will learn
Upon successful completion of this program, graduates will be able to:
- Apply theoretical knowledge to the practice of safe, ethical, culturally sensitive, and professional care as a Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA).
- Communicate effectively utilizing interpersonal and interprofessional skills that contribute to optimum patient care and safety.
- Apply critical thinking and problem-solving strategies to ensure best practices within scope of practice.
- Safely collect, handle, and process specimens according to medical laboratory standard operating procedures.
- Operate laboratory equipment, with safety and accuracy, in the performance of medical laboratory procedures.
- Apply foundational knowledge of cardiac anatomy and physiology to perform and analyze ECG and Holter monitoring.
- Demonstrate competence in information management and efficient, accurate data entry.
- Apply knowledge of Quality Assurance and Quality Management.
- Practice in accordance with the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) Code of Professional Conduct.
- Meet the B.C. Society for Laboratory Science (BCSLS) and Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSLMS) competency profiles.
What to expect
Program Duration and Maximum Time for Completion
Program duration is 8 months. The maximum time for completion is 3 years.
Term 1
Term 1 consists of 15 weeks of theory and practical competency building incorporating lectures, workshops, on-line activities, simulations and live laboratory experiences.
Term 2
Term 2 consists of 11 weeks of advanced theory and practical competency building and 4 weeks of clinical placement. Students will participate in lectures, workshops, on-line activities, simulations and live laboratory experiences for the first 11 weeks of term 2. Laboratory Practicum (MLAB 1260) in a hospital and/or private clinical laboratory will follow successful completion of MLAB 1120 - 1250.
Campus virtual tour
Explore labs and classrooms at VCC's Health Sciences building
Admission requirements
Program-specific
- Grade 12 graduation, or equivalent
- English Studies 12 with a minimum 'C+' grade, or equivalent
- Anatomy & Physiology 12 with a minimum 'C-' grade, or equivalent
- Typing speed of 40 gross words per minute with 98% accuracy on a proctored 5-minute test
Upon Acceptance
-
Criminal Record Check (CRC)
-
Students in this program are required to complete a CRC. The CRC must be completed according to VCC's Criminal Record Check instructions. Students whose CRC results indicate they pose a risk to vulnerable populations will not be able to complete the requirements of the program (e.g. practicums) or graduate.
-
-
TB Screening
-
Students must submit a negative tuberculosis (TB) skin test or chest X-ray dated a maximum of six months prior to the program start date. An additional TB test is required after each potential exposure to TB and/or travel to areas with a known prevalence of TB.
-
-
Immunization Record
-
A School of Health Sciences Student Immunization Record must be completed. Students may be declined placement in a clinical or practicum site if a completed immunization record is not provided.
-
General
- This program is available to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. See program options for international students at VCC International.
- Applicants who self-identify as Indigenous are strongly encouraged to connect with VCC’s Indigenous Education and Community Engagement team to learn more about VCC’s Indigenous Enrolment policy, application preparation/completion, program advising, and a range of other individualized services.
- Applicants must be 16 years of age or older or a graduate of a secondary school. (Some exceptions may apply.)
- Applicants must submit official transcripts and other documents as required by their course or program. Seats are offered to eligible applicants with completed applications, in order of application completion date (except for programs with competitive admissions). A complete application includes an application form, evidence of educational pre-requisites (e.g. transcripts), any required supporting documents (e.g. language proficiency, audition video), and the required deposit or fee payment. If you do not meet the requirements for the term applied, your application may be cancelled.
Missing prerequisites? Learn more about VCC's tuition-free academic upgrading or English as a Second Language (ESL) courses, or discover which university transfer options are right for you.
Program Considerations
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Ability to perform fine motor skills
- Able to work well under pressure and in dynamic situations
- Excellent communication skills (written and oral)
- Ability to work well as a team member
- Ability to meet physical demands of the work
- A caring attitude and sincere interest in people of all abilities and demographics which will include individuals who are: mentally or physically disabled, experiencing life threatening situations.
- Flexibility to adjust to early morning and evening practicum shifts, to a variety of clinical settings and locations within the Metro Vancouver area.
Courses *
Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with the exception of practicum experiences. Students will be advised of their practicum hours once registered and attending the program.
Prior learning assessment and recognition
Prior learning assessment and recognition is not available for this program.
| Term One | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| MLAB 1120 | Infection Control and Safety | 3.5 |
| MLAB 1130 | Medical Lab Fundamentals | 4 |
| MLAB 1140 | Specimen Collection and Processing 1 | 4.5 |
| MLAB 1150 | Electrocardiography 1 | 3 |
| MLAB 1160 | Human Relations and Communication | 2.0 |
| MLAB 1170 | Computer Applications for Medical Lab | 1.5 |
| Credits | 18.5 | |
| Term Two | ||
| MLAB 1220 | Professional Practice | 3.5 |
| MLAB 1230 | Medical Lab Procedures | 6 |
| MLAB 1240 | Specimen Collection and Processing 2 | 4.5 |
| MLAB 1250 | Electrocardiography 2 | 3 |
| MLAB 1260 | Medical Lab Assistant Practicum | 4 |
| Credits | 21 | |
| Total Credits | 39.5 | |
This guide is intended as a general guideline only. The college reserves the right to make changes as appropriate.
* This information is intended as a guideline only. Program and course details are subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors.
Fees and other costs *
The tuition for this program is changing. Please see the details below.
Full program tuition rates:*
- January 2027 through April 2027: $6,500
- May 2027 through December 2027: $10,500
- January 2028 through December 2028: $15,382
- January 2029 and onward: 2% increase annually
Other costs as of 2027 (these costs may increase annually):
- Application fee: $36
- Student Union: $145
- College initiative: $119
- Materials (not including textbooks): $500
- Campus resource: $302
- Medical and Dental: $285
- U-PASS: $375
- Graduation: $45
- Total other costs: $1,807
*Effective January 2027, the VCC Board of Governors approved tuition fees of $15,381.92 for the Medical Laboratory Assistant Certificate program. However, the increase will be introduced in stages, and VCC will waive a portion of the fees in 2027. The waivers are as follows:
- January 2027: $15,381.92 total tuition - $8,580.31 waiver = $6,500 tuition
- May 2027: $15,381.92 total tuition - $4,580.31 waiver = $10,500 tuition
- January 2028: $15,381.92 total tuition (no waiver)
* Fees are approximate and subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors. Students are required to pay any applicable fee increases. Application and assessment fees are non-refundable. Tuition fees include a non-refundable deposit ($300 or $500, depending on program).
Fees listed are for domestic students. For international programs, visit VCC International.
Any refunds are issued according to VCC's refund policy.
Apply now
Dual Credit applicants (high school students):
- Dual Credit applicants do not apply to VCC directly. Interested students, teachers and counsellors should contact the Career Program Coordinator or Administrator for their school district.
Get started
Info Week at VCC
Join us online or in-person for our info sessions, April 20-24.