Medical Laboratory Assistant

You must meet all entrance requirements to be accepted to the program:

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 Academic Calendar.
   
   
2. One of the following: 
   • B.C. secondary school graduation or equivalent. 
   • 19 years or older on the first day of classes.
     

All students entering this program are also expected to have basic computer skills. This means knowing how to run programs in a Windows environment, and having basic Internet, word processing, and spreadsheet skills.

Supporting documents

Once you have applied to the program, you will need to submit the following:

1. Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Screening

A satisfactory Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Screening is required for practicum. Complete the Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector using access code CACJXKC5VT.

After making the fee payment, you will receive an online receipt from the Ministry of Justice. Your results are sent directly to Continuing Education and will be kept confidential.

2. Immunization Record

The BC Health Authorities require you to have up-to-date immunizations in order to work in a healthcare setting. To show that you are up to date with your immunizations‌, you must either submit your immunization records or have your doctor complete the Health Practicum Student Immunization Record. 

COVID-19 vaccination is recommended but no longer required by UFV. However, if public health orders change, students are expected to update their immunizations as required. 

How to submit the above documents 

Your Criminal Record Check will be automatically sent to the School of Continuing Education upon completion, but you will need to submit your immunization records by email. 

To submit your documents, email continuingeducation@ufv.ca and attach your immunization records or the Practicum Student Health Record completed and signed by your doctor. Please note the following: 

• These documents must be scanned. Photographed documents will not be accepted. 

• Label the email subject line as: MLA Documents, Last Name, First Initial (e.g., MLA Documents, Kaur, L.) 

• If you do not email this documentation, you cannot be placed in a practicum and are not eligible to graduate.
  
  

Submission deadlines

All supporting documents must be received by the School of Continuing Education no later than two weeks before your program starts. If you know ahead of time that you will be unable to make this deadline due to extenuating circumstances, you must contact cepracticum@ufv.ca as soon as possible to discuss a plan for when your documents will be submitted.  

Practicum

At the end of the MLA program, you will complete a four-week practicum that provides meaningful work-like experience and exposure to a medical laboratory setting. To qualify for practicum, you must successfully complete all courses within the program and meet the grade and attendance requirements. 

View the MLA Practicum Handbook or visit the practicum webpage for more information.

Graduation

When you've successfully completed all required courses, including the practicum, you can apply for graduation by following the instructions here. Please note there is a graduation application fee. 

Once your graduation application is approved, the Office of the Registrar will contact you by email when your parchment is ready to be picked up. For more information on parchments, see the Graduation documents and transcripts page.

Graduating students are welcome and encouraged to participate in UFV's next Convocation ceremony, held every June. See the Convocation webpage and review the Convocation Student Checklist for more information.

Withdrawal deadlines

See the School of Continuing Education's refund and withdrawal schedule.

Employment facts

See WorkBC’s career overview for medical laboratory assistants for more information on career outcomes.

Current employment opportunities: 

• Fraser Health job postings 
• Provincial Health Services Authority job postings 
• Government of Canada Job Bank
• BC Medical Journal's classifieds 

To find your textbooks, use the UFV Bookstore's textbook search tool. Select "CE - Continuing Education" as your area of study.

Computer requirements 

You will need a computer or laptop (PC or Mac) with reliable internet access and up-to-date software in order to access your online classes. View UFV's technical requirements for online classes here. 
 

Additional supplies 

You will need scrubs and appropriate footwear for your practicum, and you may need a lab coat (available through the UFV Bookstore). You will also need basic school supplies such as notebooks and pens.