New health-care programs seek students for 2027 start

For years, Okanagan students wanting careers in medical labs have had to leave the region for training.

Now, Okanagan College and Interior Health are looking for close to 50 students for two new programs starting next September.

The Medical Lab Assistant program takes six to eight months, while the technologist program is two years. The college says there’s strong demand for both careers.

“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. “I’m excited these programs are going to be offered right here in our community and grow the number of people in the profession.”

The programs are expected to help address a shortage of medical lab professionals across the Interior.