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The Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) Diploma prepares you for work within the clinical laboratory. Curriculum and program objectives are built based on the state of practice in the BC medical laboratory community, and on competencies established by the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) for entry-level medical laboratory technology. The program provides theoretical, practical and clinical learning experiences. Upon completion of the program, you are eligible to write the General Medical Laboratory Technologist certification exam. Successful completion of the certification exam enables one to practice medical laboratory technology across Canada.

Medical Laboratory Science: Diploma

British Columbia Institute of Technology

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Note: In alignment with public health orders, this program requires that students be vaccinated for a number of communicable diseases – including COVID-19.

Competitive Entry: Three-step process

This program is competitive and only applicants who have met the   will be considered.

Preference for shortlisting will be given to applicants with:

Math, biology,and chemistry requirements completed within the past five years
Final grades rather than midterm grades
Post-secondary education
A strong GPA

Applicants with preferred  are to submit transcripts and supporting documentation with their online application.

Step 1: Meet the following 

English: two years of education in English in an English-speaking country with one of the following:
English Studies 12 (73%) or
English First Peoples 12 (73%) or
Other acceptable BC and Yukon courses or
3.0 credits of post-secondary English, humanities or social sciences (73%) from a recognized institution

Math: one of the following (or equivalent):
Pre-Calculus 12 (73%) or
Other acceptable BC and Yukon courses or
MATH 0001 - Technical Mathematics (73%) or
MATH 0120 - Math 12 Competency Test (73%) or
3.0 credits post-secondary math (linear algebra, pre-calculus or calculus) at 100 level or higher (73%) from a recognized institution
Biology: one of the following (or equivalent):
Anatomy and Physiology 12 (73%) or
Other acceptable BC and Yukon courses or
BHSC 0110 - Foundational Human Anatomy and Physiology (73%) or
BHSC 0100 - Human Biology (73%), or
BHSC 0012 - Biology 12 Challenge Exam (73%) or
3.0 credits of post-secondary human biology (73%) from a recognized institution
Chemistry: one of the following (or equivalent):
Chemistry 12 (73%), or
CHEM 0120 - Chemistry 12 Challenge Exam (73%)
3.0 credits of post-secondary chemistry (73%) from a recognized institution
Physics: one of the following (or equivalent):
Physics 11 (67%), or
PHYS 0309 - Pre-Entry Physics 1 (67%), or
PHYS 0110 - Physics 11 Challenge Exam (67%)
3.0 credits post-secondary physics at 100 level or higher (67%) from a recognized institution
Complete the following assessment:
Casper (Computer-Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics): Casper will send the results directly to the BCIT Medical Laboratory Science program once you request that your score be distributed to the program.
Note: Please register to complete the Casper assessment as soon as possible. Registration numbers and dates are limited.
Complete the following forms for submission with your online application:
Program Requirement Form 
To acknowledge the nature of this training and the physically demanding nature of this work.
Casper Confirmation Form 

If more than five years have elapsed since you completed the math, biology, or chemistry requirements, upgrading is preferred. Upgrading is not required for English or physics.

1. Students can only write the math, biology, chemistry, and physics challenge exams once.
2. A student who registers and writes these exams a second time will be given the mark from their first attempt.
3. The post-secondary human biology equivalent courses' content must include cytology and the structure and function of the following organ systems: digestive, cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous, renal/urinary, and reproductive.
4. To meet the minimum requirements, applicants must submit final or midterm grades in support of their application. Midterm reports must demonstrate a minimum completion of 50% of the gradable course work.

Step 2: Requirements for selected applicants

All applications will be reviewed by the program area. Only complete applications received by the application deadline date will be considered.

1. Applicants deemed to have the best opportunity for success in the program are selected to complete the multiple-mini interview process (MMI).
2. The MMI process has been designed to assess the suitability for the healthcare profession.
3. Conditional acceptance into the program is based on the MMI assessment.
4. The MMI interview process is conducted in the first two weeks of June.

Step 3: Conditionally selected applicants

If you have been conditionally accepted to BCIT, you will be notified and the following mandatory information will be required in order to be fully accepted into the program:

Criminal Record Check 
Immunization Review 
Submit to Student Health Services.

Once these and any other outstanding conditions have been met, you will receive notification of your full acceptance.

Academic Admission Requirement

Clinical requirements

Note: Effective immediately, all health care workers who come into contact with patients at publicly-funded health care facilities or in the community, including at long-term-care facilities, will have to get the influenza vaccine or wear a mask during flu season. This policy affects all students who will be entering a clinical setting.

As such, you will be required to provide proof of your immunization or agree to wear a mask at all times through the flu season prior to being placed in your clinical studies.

Face Respirator Fit Testing

Respirator fit testing with a N95 respirator (1860, 1860s or 1870) is required and must be performed in accordance with CSA Standard CAN/CSA-Z94.4-02. Fit testing must also include inspection, cleaning, maintenance, and storage of protective equipment. Students will be given specific instructions on how to access fit testing by the program prior to the first clinical. Students are responsible for paying for the annual fit test while in the program and carrying their certificate with them at all times during their practicum.

Additional Academic Admission Requirement



Since the work is highly technical and exacting, you must feel comfortable with complex instruments, possess considerable manual dexterity, and have meticulous work habits. You must also have a strong sense of responsibility and a desire to work as a health-care team worker with the ability to work quickly and accurately under pressure. Excellent communication, interpersonal, organizational, and critical thinking skills are required.

Admission Advice

Applications are accepted from October  to May.		
		
You must submit a complete application, including all supporting documents, by the deadline date to be considered.		

Application Deadline Advice

Medical Laboratory Science Bachelor's Degrees

Medical Laboratory Science Diplomas

URL for Medical Laboratory Science: Diploma at BCIT

British Columbia Institute of Technology

Medical Laboratory Science: Diploma

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