Throughout her health-care career, Interior Health (IH) Laboratory Services Program Director Joanne Isber has worked in both Canada and the U.S.
Joanne started her career as a medical lab technologist (MLT) in Ontario, then moved to Georgia where she spent 15 years working as a clinical lab scientist. In 2008, she returned to Canada and joined IH Laboratory Services as a manager and professional practice lead.
Even after working and living for more than a decade in the U.S., Joanne knew she would eventually return to Canada. “When I thought about the long-term picture for me and my family, the decision to return home became clear,” she shares. From a career and professional standpoint, the advantages of working in Canada quickly add up.
“The first thing that comes to mind is work-life balance which looks very different in Canada compared to the U.S.,” Joanne says. “The support for families, paid time off and long-term security, for example, really stands out once you experience it firsthand.”
One of the biggest differences that Joanne points to is how time off works. In many U.S. roles, vacation, sick time, appointments and bereavement leave are often grouped into a single, limited bank of “time off” hours that can be quite limited. At IH, these are separate allocations, offering greater flexibility and more paid coverage for when life happens.
“That alone can be a huge shift,” Joanne adds. “People are often surprised by how much flexibility they actually have here.”
Family leave is another major draw for U.S.-trained medical lab professionals considering a move north. Canada’s generous maternity and parental leave options give families time to adjust, bond and plan, without the financial and emotional strain many health-care workers face elsewhere.
At IH, parental leaves are even greater with the employer-paid parental leave top-ups available.
MLTs at IH receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes extended health and wellness coverage, a defined benefit pension with employer-supported retirement contributions, and union representation through the Health Sciences Association.
Early in a career, benefits like pensions and extended leave may not always be top of mind. But over time, they can make a very meaningful difference.
“For many people, that pension is a game changer,” Joanne says. “It’s not something you always think about early in your career, but, especially in today’s economy, knowing you’ll have a reliable income waiting for you later can be incredibly reassuring.”
A more streamlined pathway to working in Canada
Recent regulatory changes have made it easier than ever for U.S.-trained MLTs to bring their skills and expertise to Canada.
The Canadian Alliance of Medical Laboratory Professionals Regulators (CAMLPR) now offers a more streamlined certification pathway, including prior learning assessments, discipline-specific field-of-practice exams, and the option to complete exams by subject area rather than all at once.
“These changes have removed barriers that used to delay certification,” Joanne explains. “There’s now a clearer, more streamlined pathway for lab professionals to have their qualifications recognized and start working in British Columbia sooner.”
As IH continues to recruit medical laboratory professionals, filling these roles helps ensure diagnostic services run smoothly, turnaround times improve and patients across hospitals, emergency departments and community settings receive a timely, reliable diagnosis or treatment. Fully staffed teams also support healthier workloads and creates space for innovation and growth within teams.
“When teams are supported and fully staffed, everything works better,” Joanne says. “People can focus on quality care, collaborate more easily, and continue improving how services are delivered—and that benefits everyone.”
Beyond the role itself, IH offers something many professionals are looking for: the freedom to choose the community and lifestyle that fits them best within the IH region. Relocation support is also available to help make the move and ease the transition.
Across the region, from large city centres to small towns, people enjoy strong community connections, shorter commutes and endless opportunities to explore lakes, mountains and four-season outdoor activities. The Southern Interior is truly a place where work fits into life, not the other way around.
With easier pathways to certification, strong benefits for individuals and families, and communities ready to welcome new professionals, this is an exciting opportunity to imagine what comes next and where you want to build it.
“Home is wherever you make it,” Joanne smiles. “And I feel very lucky to call the Southern Interior of B.C. my home.”
Explore MLT opportunities at IH
