Continuing Education

Medical Laboratory Assistant certificate

The Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA) certificate program is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills to perform the duties required of a medical laboratory assistant. Students are trained to collect, process, and prepare patient specimens, enter data, perform clerical and reception services, perform electrocardiograms and urinalyses, and carry out basic laboratory procedures. Client services and communication will be central to anyone joining this profession. The program has been mapped against the competencies and practice standards outlined by the BC Society of Laboratory Science (BCSLS) and the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS).

Upon successful completion of the MLA certificate program, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate basic use of a computer system.
2. Communicate effectively in speech and writing.
3. Work collaboratively in a team to solve problems.
4. Comply with legislation and governing bodies related to healthcare and medical laboratory practices.
5. Describe duties that are within the scope of a Medical Laboratory Assistant.
6. Describe the anatomy and physiology of the major body systems.
7. Define medical terminology used in the laboratory.
8. Describe the tests performed in the following laboratory disciplines: chemistry, hematology, transfusion medicine, microbiology, histology, and cytology.
9. Demonstrate critical thinking skills related to their work environment.
10. Participate in quality improvement.
11. Use laboratory equipment as directed.
12. Maintain laboratory analyzers, reagents, and supplies.
13. Stain specimen slides using various stains.
14. Describe Infection Control.
15. Demonstrate proper use of PPE.
16. Demonstrate decontamination and sterilization of laboratory equipment and premises.
17. Interpret legislation for WHMIS, TDG, and WorkSafe BC.
18. Perform an electrocardiogram.
19. Recognize normal and abnormal ECG patterns.
20. Maintain electrography equipment.
21. Apply Holter monitors.
22. Identify tests ordered on a requisition.
23. Correctly identify a patient prior to specimen procurement.
24. Correctly label laboratory specimens.
25. Perform blood collections.
26. Describe the containers used for specimen procurement.
27. Perform point-of-care testing.
28. Maintain integrity of patient samples from collection to storage.
29. Evaluate specimen suitability for all laboratory tests.

Entrance requirements

1. Applicants must meet the Degree/diploma-level English language proficiency requirement. For details on how this requirement may be met, see the English language proficiency requirement section of the calendar.
2. One of the following:
• B.C. secondary school graduation or equivalent.
• 19 years or older on the first day of classes.
3. Students may be required to submit a satisfactory criminal record check.

When to apply

Applications are accepted for entrance to the Winter semester only. For application deadlines, see Specific intake application process.

How to apply

1. Apply online at ufv.ca/admissions/apply.

   Additional documents required for a complete application:

   • Official transcripts (or interim transcripts) from all post-secondary institutions attended (excluding UFV) showing grade/course achievement as per entrance requirements. To be considered official, transcripts must be sent directly to UFV from the originating institution; see the Transfer Credit section for details.
2. Applicants will be advised of an admission decision and, if accepted, will be provided with registration information. Full tuition is due at the time of registration.

Basis for admission decision

Applicants who meet the entrance requirements will be admitted in order of their application date. This date is set when an application, all required documentation, and the application fee have been submitted.

Fees and additional costs

Please see the Continuing Education webpage for current fee information. See the Fees and Other Costs section for additional information.

Program duration

The Medical Laboratory Assistant certificate is 30 weeks in duration, with 26 weeks (780 hours) of classroom learning and 4 weeks of practicum.

Location

The program is located at the Clearbrook Centre in Abbotsford and the Chilliwack campus.

Program outline

Continuance and probation

Students must achieve a minimum grade of 80% in each course to progress to the next course. Students who do not achieve a minimum grade of 80% in a course may repeat the course once, and twice with permission by the Director, School of Continuing Education. Students must successfully achieve 80% or better in the practicum. The practicum course may not be repeated.

Course repetition

See UFV's Course Repeat policy (86).

Readmission

Students may apply for readmission after withdrawal, provided they meet the admission requirements for the program. Readmission is not guaranteed.

Residency

Students must complete all of the required courses at UFV.

Graduation requirements

To be eligible to graduate, students must successfully complete all courses with a minimum grade of 80%.

See the Graduation section of the calendar for more information.

Maximum length of time to complete program

Students must complete all courses within three years of starting the program.

Course listings

For complete details on courses see the course descriptions section.