Selkirk College is stepping up to address a critical shortage of medical laboratory assistants in Interior Health, British Columbia. This shortage, which spans the entire province, is expected to create over 2,200 job openings in the next decade, according to WorkBC. To combat this, Selkirk College is developing a one-year medical laboratory assistant program, drawing from an accredited curriculum provided by Camosun College. This program will be delivered at the Trail campus and will welcome its first cohort of 24 students in the 2027/28 academic year.
The program is designed to address the pressing need for timely, high-quality care in the Kootenay and Boundary regions and throughout B.C. Medical laboratory assistants play a crucial role in the laboratory team, supporting diagnostic services by collecting blood and other samples, processing specimens, performing routine tests, and entering data. By training these professionals closer to home, graduates are more likely to stay in the region, reducing wait times for lab collections and supporting the testing and care that patients rely on every day.
The program includes three semesters of in-class learning followed by a regional practicum, preparing graduates to step directly into medical laboratory assistant roles within Interior Health and other healthcare settings. The province has identified medical laboratory assistants as a high-opportunity occupation, and the program will be funded with $400,377 from the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills. This funding will cover curriculum purchase, program development, start-up lab equipment, and ongoing operating costs, ensuring the program can run as regional demand supports.
Selkirk College's initiative is a significant step towards strengthening local healthcare. By training skilled professionals right in their communities, the college is not only addressing the immediate shortage but also ensuring a sustainable supply of medical laboratory assistants for the future. This program is a testament to the college's commitment to providing relevant, in-demand education that meets the needs of the local community and the broader healthcare system.
