$1.1M to kick-start medical lab tech program

Prince George, BC – The BC government has provided $1.1 million in funding for a medical laboratory technologist program at the College of New Caledonia.

Presently, students from the north wishing to train as medical laboratory technicians must travel to Vancouver or out of province. The College of New Caledonia program will allow students to learn how to conduct complex tests on blood, body fluids and tissue to help diagnose and treat illnesses such as cancer, diabetes and genetic diseases closer to home.

Our health-care system would shut down without medical laboratory technologists, said Prince George Omineca MLA John Rustad. This program is fantastic news that will help meet this critical need in the north and may one day be able to help support more advanced cancer care services in the north.

The funding from the Ministry of Advanced Education supports renovations, equipment and start-up costs for the two-year diploma program at the College of New Caledonia in Prince George. The ministry is also providing funding for the ongoing delivery of the program.

There are 18 seats available in the program starting in January 2008.