Overview

Specializations

Benefits

Member Classes

Bylaws

Membership Fees

Medical Laboratory Technologists

$116.60 - Certified and Non-Certified MLTs working in a Canadian laboratory

Medical Laboratory Assistants - Membership

$74.20 - Certified and Non-Certified MLAs working in a Canadian laboratory. Fees include MLA Liability Insurance

Medical Laboratory Assistants - Certification

$75.00 - Combined MLA certification and first year of BCSLS membership are available at the reduced rate of $129.00.

Affiliates

$68.90 - MLT or MLA not working in a Canadian laboratory for at least the past 12 months; students enrolled in approved programs leading to certification by CSMLS or BCSLS. Affiliates are not eligible to vote or hold office.

Membership Period

Membership fees must be paid annually. The membership period begins on May 1st of the current year and ends on April 30th of next year. Fees are not prorated if paid after May 1st.

CSMLS Payment

BCSLS fees can be paid via CSMLS when a CSMLS member is renewing their annual membership or joining for the first time. When this is done prior to the end of the current calendar year BCSLS will recognize new members as of January 1st of next year. If this is done between January 1st and April 30th of the current year new members will be immediately recognized and their membership will extend to April 30th of the following year.

Refund Policy

Refunds are available only for those who pay in advance of May 1st of the next membership period. No refunds will be made after May 1st. All refunds will be assessed a $25 processing fee.

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all fees include GST

Overview
Our members are Medical Laboratory Technologists (MLT), Medical Laboratory Assistants (MLA), trainees and affiliate members. They are employed in hospitals, government agencies, educational institutions, commercial laboratories and other private and public health facilities. Some members have pursued careers in health care administration and elsewhere within and outside the laboratory. Retired and unemployed members can maintain their membership as affiliates

Areas of Specialization

Medical laboratory Technologists work in many specialist areas such as Clinical Chemistry, Clinical Microbiology, Hematology, Tranfusion Science, Histology, Diagnostic Cytology, Clinical Genetics, Immunology, Electron Microscopy, Virology, Parasitology, and Flow Cytometry. Medical Laborabory Assistants collect, prepare and assist with specimen testing.

Member Benefits
Advocacy: We advocate on behalf of the profession with the provincial government, health authorities, and coordinating bodies (e.g. Diagnostic Accreditation Program, Private Career Training Agency, Provincial Laboratory Coordinating Organization and the BC Academic Health Council). We send representatives to educational advisory committees, health regulatory organizations meetings, and liaise with other health professional associations and unions. We also participate with CSMLS in national task forces and other initiatives.

Recognition: Our members are recognized throughout the province as meeting high standards of education and clinical experience. We maintain a database of members, so that with your permission, we can verify your credentials to employers.

Education: We organize lectures, seminars, workshops, conferences, and distance education courses to maintain your knowledge and update your skills to keep pace with changing conditions in the workplace. Our members enjoy special low rates on all such events and services.

Communication: Our communication is a two-way process. We listen to your concerns! Our staff and board members are available to discuss matters important to you and the profession. We keep you informed of emerging issues through our newsletter, broadcast faxes, email notices, information-rich website and events.

Leadership: Members have the opportunity to contribute to advancing their profession by serving on the Board of Directors, committees and task forces. By volunteering you can gain important skills and insights that can assist with your career. BCSLS regularly recognizes its volunteers through short and long-term service awards.

Insurance: MLA members with BCSLS certification receive professional liability insurance coverage with their annual membership fee.

Bursaries: The Dr. Phil Reid Bursary Fund was established to provide members with some support for professional development. Each year the interest earned on the fund is available to support eligible education courses or events.

Membership Classes as set out in the BCSLS Bylaws:

Certified MLT – one who has obtained CSMLS certification at the initial or advanced levels and who is resident in Canada.

Certified MLA – one who has obtained the Society's certification as a Medical Laboratory Assistant and who is resident in Canada.

Non-Certified Member – one who is not certified by CSMLS as an MLT, but is employed in a laboratory in Canada, or a MLA who is not certified by BCSLS, but is working in a laboratory in Canada.

Affiliate Member – one who has trained as a laboratory technologist or assistant and is not yet eligible to be certified by CSMLS or BCSLS and who is not working in a laboratory in Canada. (E.g. internationally trained technologist pursuing certification in Canada)

Trainee Member – one who is enrolled in a full-time training program leading to certification by the CSMLS or by the Society.

Honorary Member – a member who for reason of outstanding service to the Society, whether certified, non-certified, practising, non-practising or retired, has been approved by the Board. Such members are exempt from membership fees.

Honorary Affiliate Member – a non-member who is involved in the health field and is awarded member status in recognition of outstanding service to the Society in advancing its aims and objectives. Such members are exempt from membership fees.

Note: Our annual membership fee schedule and application form is available on the drop down menu in this section of the website. You can also join or renew your membership online.

Medical Laboratory Technologist Certification

Please contact the Canadian Society of Medical Laboratory Science for information about certification.

Medical Laboratory Assistant Certification

BCSLS Certification Information

MLA Certification Application Form