Medical Laboratory Assistants

Job Titles: Lab Assistant, Lab Aide, Technical Assistant

What's It Like?

A medical laboratory assistant or technical assistant (TA) performs a vital role in the medical laboratory team, working closely with the public and capably performing the required manual skills. They are trained in the collection of specimens from patients, the initial processing and preparation of specimens for analysis, data entry, clerical and reception services, performance of electrocardiograms (ECG’s), and a variety of basic laboratory procedures. They are employed in medical laboratories in hospitals, clinics, research institutes and universities and in government research laboratories.

Medical Laboratory Assistants may:

Collect blood and tissue samples from patients
Log patient samples and prepare them for testing
Conduct routine laboratory tests and sample analysis
Set up, clean and maintain medical laboratories and medical laboratory equipment

Money & Benefits

Wages - Public Sector

Designation	Hourly Rate
Entry Level	$19.81
Supervisor (Senior)	$20.82 starting wage

Benefits - Public Sector

As a member of the HEU (Hospital Employee Union), medical laboratory assistants receive excellent benefits. Permanent part time and full time members receive medical and dental benefits and may be entitled to educational leave and funding.

Benefits - Private Sector

The private sector is competitive with the public sector.

Why We're Betting On This

Although this is not a large occupational group in the central Vancouver Island region, the largest employer, the Vancouver Island Health Authority, is hiring medical laboratory assistants and expects the demand for this occupation to continue
According to T3's interviews with local employers there has been an increase of over nine positions in the past three months
People in this occupation can work full or part time, year round with excellent wages and benefits

Interested? Where To Start

Educational Requirements

To enter into a Medical Laboratory Assistant program, a high school diploma with an emphasis on English and Math is a great start. In addition, a Medical Terminology course and a typing test with a minimum of 40 words per minute has to be taken before entrance to this program.

Educational Institution

Camosun College

Camosun College offers a nine month program with one intake a year starting in September and ending the following year in May. To find out more about the Medical Laboratory Assistant program go to:

www.camosun.bc.ca/ce/med-lab-assist.php

Education Planner

Education Planner will help find institutions that offer Medical Terminology courses
www.educationplanner.bc

Success Stories

Interviewed & Documented

PROOF of the abundance of Jobs in the Medical Laboratory Assistants Industry