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Medical Laboratory Assistant Program

The Medical Laboratory Assistant Program consists of five theory courses (six required in some regions), a five-day workshop and a clinical practicum, which is provided by hospital or private laboratories under criteria developed by Thompson Rivers University. Combined, these provide the theory and skills required to function as a medical laboratory assistant in hospitals or private clinical laboratories.

A maximum of 30 weeks per course is permitted and students are allocated a maximum of two years to complete the entire certificate program. Students are however encouraged to complete the program in less than a year. No extensions will be granted to the program timeframe.

This entire program is equivalent to 20 - 24 weeks of full-time study and leads to rewarding employment in the health care setting.

Note: It is the sole responsibility of the student to determine if the current employment trends in their region meet their personal needs and in most areas, to locate and arrange their own clinical placement for the laboratory training aspect of this program. Currently in BC, the Kelowna and Victoria health care regions are not accepting inquiries about practicum placements. For more information about clinical placements, it is recommended to contact the OL Program Administrator, Science at jcrowe@tru.ca before contacting the lab in your area.

Courses

Core Courses
 
HLTH 1981 - Medical Terminology
HLTH 1131 - The Electrocardiogram
HLTH 1141 - Introduction to Electrocardiography (will replace 1131 in March 2012)
MDLB 1221 - Professional Practices and Safety in Health Care
MDLB 1321 - Phlebotomy Procedures and Specimen Preparation
MDLB 1521 - Microbiology Specimen Preparation
(This course is now mandatory and must be taken before the workshop and practicum)
MDLB 0511 - Phlebotomy workshop
MDLB 0521 - MLA Workshop (will replace 0511 in february 2012)
 
Note: All areas of the province of BC require that students complete the weekend Phlebotomy Workshop prior to beginning the practicum component of the program.
 
MDLB 1411 - Evaluation of Competencies
MDLB 1721 - Laboratory Practicum - Evaluation of Competencies
(will replace 1411 in Feb. 2012)
Optional Advanced Course
 
MDLB 1611 - Pre-Analytical Procedures for Histopathology

STUDENTS REGISTERED PRIOR TO JULY 2011

Students who have started the third course (MDLB 1211) will remain in the old program stream. If only the first one or two courses have been registered in or completed, then students will switch to the new stream.

PROGRAM GRADUATES (prior to 2012)

Students who have completed the MLA program and are returning to take MDLB 1521 should contact the Program Administrator for guidance.

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements include submission of proof of the following. Only original, signed documentation will be accepted.

Certain admission requirements may be waived by permission of the Academic Director or designate.

Residency Requirements

6 credits of TRU coursework (distance or on-campus)

Tuition

Note: This program is not eligible for full- or part-time loan or grant funding through the Canada Student Loan suite of programs, which includes funding from StudentAid BC and similar student loan offices in other provinces. Funding may be available through other government or private sources.