Medical Lab Technician

Introduction

The doctor is not only the option to make a career in the medical field. There are various options for serving and curing in the medical field.

“Medical laboratory technology” exists for such options. Medical laboratory technology is also the field of medical science. To help the diagnosis of illness, doctors need to investigate through the blood test, urine test, stool test and others. Doctors prescribed the medicine as per the result of these tests. Medical lab technology is the subject that covers all these testing activities & process.

“Medical lab technology is the science that is involved in the chemical, microscopic, immunologic, hematological, bacteriological diagnostic analysis of human fluids like urine, blood, stool, sputum, peritoneal fluid, cerebro-spinal fluid, synovial fluid, pericardial fluid and other specimen”.

Medical laboratory technology is also known as the medical laboratory science or clinical laboratory technology or clinical laboratory science. Professionals, who perform above testing activities, called as the medical laboratory technicians or the medical laboratory scientists.

In this field there are two profiles as the following:

1. Technologists
2. Technicians

Medical technologists are highly trained people and testing specialist like analysis of body fluids, study of the immune system (Immunology), blood banking, hematology (study of blood) and study in bacteria and microorganism (Microbiology), Whereas;

Medical technicians work under the supervision of technologists. They do the routine testing in the laboratory. They prepare the specimen and operate the automatic analyzer machines.

Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) is a branch of science that deals with the diagnosis, treatment & prevention of disease using clinical laboratory test.

Courses

Around 60 – 70 % of decisions regarding patient’s discharge, treatment and further assessment are based on the medical laboratory test results. Every person has had a medical lab test in their life. To produce experts and professionals in this field many institutions and colleges offer the chain of courses in the field of medical technology.

The courses start right from the diploma courses, UG degree courses upto the PG degree programmes. In this field, the courses are as follows:

Diploma Courses:

• Diploma in Clinical Analysis
• Diploma in Cardiovascular Technician
• Diploma in Medical Imaging Technology
• Diploma in Medical Record Technology
• Diploma in X-Ray and ECG Technology
• Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology (DMLT)
• Diploma in Clinical Laboratory Technician
• Diploma in EEG Laboratory Technician

Bachelor Courses:

• Bachelor of Medical Lab Technology (BMLT)
• B.Sc in Medical Laboratory Technology
• B.Sc in Medical Imaging Technology
• B.Sc. Clinical Laboratory Technology

Master Courses:

• Post Graduate Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology
• Post Graduate Diploma in Laboratory Services in Science
• Post Graduate Diploma in Biomedical Laboratory Technology (PGDBLT)
• M.Sc in Medical Imaging Technology
• M.Sc in Medical Laboratory Technology

All diploma courses are for the duration of two years and the UG degree courses leading to the B.Sc domain are for the duration of 3 years. The PG diploma and degree courses are for the duration of 2 years, after the completion of the UG programme in the same field.

The BMLT is one of the most sought programmes in the field of medical lab technology. In the curriculum of this degree course, the students are taught about the chemistry, biochemistry, equipment handling and operating, microanalysis, immunology, cytology, human anatomy and hematology.

MLT is a crucial part of the healthcare system. Without an MLT, modern medicine would be incapable of providing the right treatment.

The areas of specialization in this field are as the following:

• Microbiology
• Clinical chemistry
• Clinical biochemistry
• Biostatistics
• Molecular Biology and Applied genetics
• Clinical Pathology
• Hematology
• Immunology and Immunological techniques
• Immune pathology
• Biomedical Techniques
• Cytotechnology
• Phlebotomy
• Serology
• Parasitology
• Urinalysis
• Coagulation
• Histology
• Radiology
• Ultrasonography
• Bacteriology
• Toxicology
• Virology
• Mycology
• Histopathology
• Histocompatibility
• Cytopathology
• Genetics
• Cytogenetic
• Electron microscopy

Eligibility & Admission

The minimum qualification is required for the admission in any of the diploma courses or the UG degree courses is 10+2 with minimum 45% marks with the science discipline as the biology is the core subject. Some colleges run their own entrance examinations for the admission to UG degree programme. For the admission to PG programme, one’s need to complete the UG course in the same field.

Mostly colleges gives admissions on the basis of merit list. The merit list shall be made on the basis of marks scored in the qualifying examination.

Also Check:

Courses After 12th

NEET 2024

Jobs & Career

For this profile you should have a keen eye and be self-motivated, self-sufficient and accurate. A medical laboratory technologist does not interact with the patient directly. The qualities which require for this profile are research ability, speed and accuracy, analytical judgment, under pressure working and mechanical and operating knowledge of instruments and computers.

This is one of the best career fields in medical after the doctor’s programme like MBBS, BAMS, BUMS and BHMS. The opportunities for job in this field are much better than the others. You may find the job in hospitals, research lab, private laboratories or the pharmaceutical companies.

This is an emerging discipline in the medical field and being in the medical field, the requirement of experts and professionals is going to increase with a significant rate. The few top job profiles in this field are as the following:

• Medical technician
• Medical technologist
• Laboratory in charge
• QC Manager
• QA Manager
• Lab Consultant
• Lab supervisor
• Health care Administrator
• Hospital Outreach coordination
• Laboratory information system Analyst
• Educational consultant
• Coordinator
• Director
• Health and safety officer

Recruiters or Working Fields

The working areas for a medical lab technician are as the following:

• Government hospital
• Private hospital
• Minor emergency centers
• Private laboratory
• Blood donor centers
• Doctor’s clinics
• Research facilities
• Crime laboratories
• Universities
• Pharmaceutical companies
• Military

Salary

The remuneration in the field of medical laboratory technology starts from the Rs. 6,000 to Rs. 10,000 per month. The professional working in the reputed hospitals can earn the salary from Rs. 12,000 to Rs. 20,000 as per their role and experience.

The medical lab technology is very challenging and lucrative field. The professionals, who do the self practice through their own medical analysis lab, can earn the handsome amount.

Books & Study Materials

Here we have listed some books which can help you to study Medical Lab Technician:

Concise Book of Medical Laboratory Technology methods and interpretations by Ramnik Sood

Basic medical laboratory techniques by Barbara H. Estridge, Anna P. Reynolds

Immunohematology for Medical Laboratory Technicians by Sheryl Whitlock

Medical laboratory procedures by Mary Ellen Wedding, Sally A. Toenjes

Medical Laboratory Technology:Pearls of Wisdom by Valerie Dietz Polansky

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