Under The Microscope
BC Society of Laboratory Science: April 2022
BCSLS news & updates
Quiz | Featured Column | Volunteer | Jobs | Member Spotlight | Events

The BCSLS Enewsletter will focus on keeping our membership updated, knowledgeable and even entertained
Register Today!
BCSLS Pre & Post Analytic Symposium
April 30 & May 1st
Virtual and in-person in Surrey, BC
Special Days: April 15 - June 14
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It's Quiz Time!
Our monthly Quiz with prizes. It's a fun way to test your knowledge and win a little something for doing it.
Deadline: April 30th

Congratulations to Laurie Craig, the last quiz winner!
April's Guest Contributor
Two lenses, One microscope: Education and Industry in the Face of MLT Shortages
Written by: Dr. Tamara Chambers-Richards is Dean of Health Sciences at the College of New Caledonia
It has been difficult to settle on a topic that would be both relevant and meaningful to Medical Laboratory Technologists (MLTs) in British Columbia (BC). It’s reasonable to assume that MLTS, like all front-line health care workers, have been giving of themselves, going through the rigors of a caring profession for the last two years. Yet, we hardly see MLTS represented in the images and hashtags that tell the story of glory, of the sacrifices made in the fight against a global pandemic. Why is that when according to Public Health Ontario, “Laboratory testing is an essential component of Ontario’s response to COVID-19? Laboratory testing is essential, not only because it tells us if someone has COVID-19 or not, but also because it sheds light on where and how the virus is spreading.”
Have we stopped to think of how many hours would have been spent in laboratories, diagnosing the over 353, 000 cases of COVID-19 in BC and the over 3, 380,000 in Canada? What does that volume of new testing mean for MLTS who work in a current shortage which is expected to continue in the coming years ... READ FULL ARTICLE HERE
Welcome to the Laboratory Profession! Happy Studying!

April 21 - MLAs at Cambria College (Surrey & Victoria)
May 2 - MLAs at Camosun College
May 2 - MLAs at Stenberg College
May 2 - MLAs at Vancouver Community College (VCC)
May 9 - MLAs at West Coast College
Congratulations to the graduating BC Laboratory classes of Spring! Welcome to the laboratory Profession!

  • April 21 - West Coast College MLAs
  • May 10 - CDI MLAs
  • May 24 - Stenberg College MLAs
  • May 27 - Vancouver Career College MLAs (VaCC)
  • June 1 - Vancouver Community College MLAs (VCC)
BCSLS Member Spotlights - meet one our newer Board members
Let's get to know each other a little better professionally and personally. We will profile a member in a light-hearted Q&A format. Be sure to click on the 'read more' link to see the full Q&A.
Larissa Nygaard
  • After you graduated and started working, what surprised you most about your profession and/or those things that continue to surprise you? I was surprised by how much technology was still changing, how much lab testing was increasing and how both the technology change and increase in specimens was impacting workflow rapidly. What surprises me now, is how resilient lab professionals are, they are truly the backbone of the healthcare field. They change and adapt all while maintaining the highest level of quality work and their dedication to patient care is endless.
  • Tell us what you are most looking forward to about being in the BCSLS Board of Directors. - I am looking forward to returning to the Board to collaborate with colleagues across the province, to highlight the needs of lab professionals and work towards supporting those people in their careers. I am also always looking forward to the next educational opportunity we can offer.
  • What do you like most about your position?  The best parts of my day are being able to support my staff, to encourage them, help them build their confidence and assist them to see their value. 
  • READ FULL INTERVIEW
Job Postings

Jobs from around BC and Western Canada can be found on the Careers Webpage. Check out the webpage often as it is updated regularly. https://www.bcsls.net/careers-page
Upcoming Events

P&P Analytic Symposium: April 30 & May 1, 2022 Symposium in Surrey @ SMH and Virtually

Congress 2022: We are almost ready to let you know where and when!! Keep your eyes open for email announcements!