Medical Lab Assistants are front-line health care heroes | Camosun College

The full-time Certified Medical Laboratory Assistant (CMLA) Program is a comprehensive 10-month 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 performing electrocardiograms and mastering the techniques of blood collection (phlebotomy) and analytical sample collection and preparation.

Camosun’s CMLA students are in high demand! Aging populations with complex care needs, new testing services, and expanding scopes of practice require laboratory professionals now.  Our students are employed in their field of study immediately after graduation. Most graduates begin with casual positions, transitioning into regular employment within a year. Employment opportunities are diverse and include employment as a phlebotomist, diagnostic assistant, technical assistant, or in pre-analytical specimen preparation. Further opportunities exist in management, quality control and assurance, education, informatics, and research. For more information, visit the Work BC Job Outlook Page.

For more information on the CMLA program including course breakdown, admission details, and faculty, see the CMLA Camosun College homepage .