​Medical laboratory technologists

Medical laboratory technologists are trained in areas such as clinical chemistry, clinical microbiology, hematology, histology, and transfusion medicine (science). Examples of their typical duties include:

• Specimen collection and preparation
• Laboratory testing
• Operation and maintenance of laboratory equipment and troubleshooting any technical issues
• Conduct quality control assessment of testing techniques
• Analyze test results, interpret data, maintain detailed records and report test results

In general, the qualifications to practice as a medical laboratory technologist in British Columbia include graduation from a recognized medical laboratory technologist program and certification with the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science. As of November 1, 2025, for internationally educated applicants and March 1, 2026, for domestic applicants, medical laboratory technologists will be required to have graduated from a recognized medical laboratory technologist program and have successfully challenged the Canadian Alliance of Medical Laboratory Professionals Regulators Fields-of-Practice Competency Assessment(s). Job postings provide additional details on job requirements.

British Columbia offers a range of job opportunities for medical laboratory technologists within hospitals across the province, including positions within Interior Health, Island Health, Northern Health, as well as Fraser Health, the Provincial Health Services Authority, Vancouver Coastal Health, and Providence Health within the Lower Mainland Consolidation of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine.

British Columbia’s publicly funded health authorities offer comprehensive compensation packages for regular-status employees, including employer-paid benefits.

• Wages: $36.69 – $45.81 CAD per hour (as of April 1, 2024) plus applicable shift premiums
• Paid Vacation Time: 4 weeks per year, after first year of employment
• Pension Plan
• BC Medical Services Plan (MSP)
• Extended Health Care
• Dental Coverage
• Life Insurance
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
• Employee and Family Assistance Plan
• Other Benefits: such as maternity, paternity and adoption leaves

• Currently, the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) is the national certifying body and professional association for medical laboratory technologists and assistants in Canada.
• The Canadian Alliance of Medical Laboratory Professionals Regulators (CAMLPR), representing provincial regulators for MLTs across Canada, will assume responsibility for the national MLT competency profile and entry-to-practice examinations for international applicants starting November 1, 2025, and domestic applicants beginning March 1, 2026.
• Internationally educated medical laboratory technologists who wish to work in BC may be eligible for the Internationally Educated Medical Laboratory Technologist Credential Assessment and Education Bursary Program, to assist with costs associated with the credential assessment pathway to work in B.C. Interested applicants can find more details through the Allied Health Jobs BC website.