The full-time Certified Medical Laboratory Assistant (CMLA) Program is a comprehensive one-year, entry-level certificate in pre-analytic laboratory sciences. This program prepares graduates for their role as integral members of the healthcare team by providing a broad foundation in laboratory science theory integrated with authentic simulation environments and workplace clinical practicums. Students learn to incorporate exemplary patient and client-centric behaviours while mastering the techniques of blood collection (phlebotomy), analytical sample collection, and sample preparation. Students learn to collect and process data required for diagnostic investigations.
Flexible pathways for progression and a variety of approaches to educational delivery prepare students for clinical practicum opportunities in both hospital and community-based laboratories throughout Vancouver Island. Course delivery includes traditional face-to-face and blended classroom instruction, practical simulation labs, teaching clinic integrations, technology-enhanced applied learning, and on-line courses.
Students in this program need a basic understanding of human anatomy, medical terminology, and the underlying scientific principles that form the foundations of laboratory analytics. Students will build on this knowledge as they progress through the required program courses designed to develop and enhance their practical clinical skills and professional judgement.
Students who can effectively demonstrate the British Columbia Society of Laboratory Sciences (BCSLS) Practicum Guidelines will progress to clinical placements in actual workplace laboratories where they will apply their growing knowledge and skills to diverse practice situations in a collaboratively supervised clinical environment. Upon successfully completing the practicum course and competently demonstrating entry-to-practice skills and knowledge requirements for both the BCSLS and Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) graduates will be eligible for certification and employment in BC. Graduates who pass the CSMLS National Certification Exam will be eligible for employment across Canada.
Career Opportunities
Certified Medical Laboratory Assistants (MLAs) can first expect to find employment as phlebotomists, diagnostic assistants, technical assistants, pathology assistants, and in pre-analytical specimen preparation and management. Further professional opportunities for the certified MLA exist in management, quality control and assurance, education, informatics, and research.
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