OCNews

Okanagan College (OC), in partnership with Interior Health, is looking for close to 50 new students interested in a great career in health care with one year to go before two new health programs open at the College. 

Students interested in taking OC’s new Medical Laboratory Technologist or Medical Laboratory Assistant programs can submit expressions of interest to prepare to apply for one of the programs when they open in Sept. 2027.

“People in the Interior deserve to access care close to home, and that starts with training the people who deliver it. By working with Interior Health to build medical laboratory technologist and medical laboratory assistant programs, Okanagan College is helping create a stream of skilled health-care professionals who can train in their own communities and build their careers there. This is exactly what community-based post-secondary education should do: respond to the needs of the community, connect students to real jobs, and help keep skilled people close to home,” said Jessie Sunner, Minister of Post Secondary Education and Future Skills.

Okanagan College announced the two new programs earlier this summer. Medical Lab Technologists – known as MLTs – make an average of $41 per hour while Medical Lab Assistants – MLAs – can make as much as $31 per hour.

“Working as a Medical Lab Technologist and a Medical Lab Assistant is a very rewarding career,” said Brittany Osborne, an MLT who works for Interior Health in Vernon, and who started her career as an MLA. “There are lots of jobs and a flexible work-life-balance, plus you are supporting people’s health as an essential member of a health care team. I’m excited these programs are going to be offered right here in our community and grow the number of people in the profession.”

According to the 10-year forecasts provided by the B.C. Labour Market Outlook, British Columbia anticipates a significant volume of jobs to accommodate health care growth and retirements, including in both the MLT and MLA fields. 

“Laboratory professionals often work behind the scenes, but they are involved in nearly every patient journey,” said Joanne Isber, Program Director, Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Interior Health. “Whether it's diagnosing disease, monitoring treatment, supporting emergency care, or preventing the spread of infectious illnesses, every lab result provides critical information that guides medical decision-making and shapes the next step in a patient’s care." 

The addition of the two health care programs adds to Okanagan College’s Health and Social Development programs, which annually graduates about 300 students into the workforce. OC offers health care programs in practical nursing, dental assisting, early childhood education, pharmacy technician, health care assistant, human service work, recreation therapy, therapist assistant and kinesiology and continues to look to add more programs in in-demand fields.

“No matter the health program we are studying here at Okanagan College, we have made the investment of time and resources because we value the same thing: We want to support people's health and engage in the communities where we live.,” said OC student Caedyn Lanigan, who is in her second year of practical nursing. “So far, it has exceeded all my expectations. The staff and instructors have taken the time to invest in me as an individual. Our training is helping me, helping all of the students, as we prepare to enter the workforce by amazing instructors who have worked in the field.”

“Our health and social development programs are designed to get students trained in critical fields and ready to enter the workforce and support people throughout our region,” added Dr, Samantha Lenci, Okanagan College Provost and Vice President Academic. “We are excited to continue to work hand in hand with Interior Health and our industry partners to train the workforce of the future and are excited to see these programs begin next year.”

Students wanting to submit an expression of interest for the programs can sign up at the links below. 

Medical Lab Assistant Interest Form

Medical Lab Technologist Interest Form

The Medical Laboratory Technologist program is a two-year program, while the Medical Laboratory Assistant program will take students approximately six to eight months to complete.

The programs will be a blend of online theory with in-person labs and work integrated learning placements with industry partners.