Medical Technology: Courses & Job Prospects

With the advancement of knowledge in the medical field, demand for trained personnal in the medical testing laboratories is growing to make proper diagnostics. Clinical studies in several fields viz., Medicine, Nutrition, Pharmaceutical studies require properly trained Lab Technicians. Physicians can not draw correct conclusions if test reports from laboratories are not authentic. Hence role of Lab Technician becomes very important and need for trained persons go on increasing.

These technicians work not only in clinical laboratories but also their services are required to support scientists/researchers in carrying out the research work. They assist them in conducting lab analysis work. Based on laboratories results conclusions are drawn by researchers. Hence, technicians also play an important role in research activities. The Medical Laboratory Technician Course is designed to develop the expertise of the trainees to carry out medical laboratory technical work in various departments. Once trained, they can either join various government or private institutions and industries or setup and run their own clinical laboratory. They can also setup small business to sell and distribute chemical reagents and glassware.

This course is designed to impart training to students to work in diagnostic labs (handling apparatus, weighing and measuring chemicals and analysis), manufacturing units of diagnostic reagents, assist the researchers in these fields and to attend to analytical work and R&D work in drug labs and pharmaceutical industries. Trained student are able to report the results accurately.

Following courses are offered by various colleges:

1. Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology (DMLT)

Qualification: 10+2 with Science Subjects

Duration: 1-2 years depending on the Institution offering the course and course content

2. P.G. Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology

Duration: 2 years

Eligibility: Degree holders of B.Sc/B.Sc (Home Science/B.Pharm. etc)

PG diploma is offered in different subjects like Clinical Neurophysiology,

Clinical Pharmacy, Dialysis Therapy, Dietetics, ECG & Cardiac Cathy. Technology, ECG & Echocardiography Technology, Medical Microbiology, Medical Radiation Technology (Nuclear Medicine).

Eligibility: B.Sc Biology/B.Sc Medical Laboratory Technology/Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology with five years of experience.

3. P G Diploma in Bio-medical Laboratory Technology.

Duration: Three semesters,

Eligibility: B.Sc with Zoology, Botany and Chemistry.

4. B.Sc (Medical Technology)

Duration: Three-Years

Eligibility: 10+2 with science subjects

Speciality: Laboratory, X-ray and Radiotherapy,

5. B.Sc (Allied Health Sciences):

Elegibility: 10+2 with biology

Duration: 4 year degree course ( The fourth year is paid internship after which the degree is awarded)

The specialties are: (i) Anesthesia Technology; (ii) Cardiac Technology; (iii) Neuroscience Technology; (iv) Operation Theater Technology; (v) Perfusion Technology; (vi) Radiology & Imaging Technology; (vii) Renal Dialysis Technology; (viii) Respiratory Care Technology; (ix) Clinical Laboratory Technology.

6. B.Sc (Hons) Ophthalmic Techniques

7. B.Sc (Hons) Medical Technology in Radiography.

Duration: Three years, Eligibility: 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Mathematics with 50% marks in the aggregate.

8. M.Sc & Ph.D. (Medical Technology):

Eligibility: MBBS/BDS.

Speciality: Microbiology, Pharmacology and Physiology, Radiology and Pathology,

9. Distance Education:

Bachelor Degree Programme in Medical Laboratory Technology (BMLT),

Bachelor Medical Imaging Technology (BMIT)

Bachelor Medical Documentation Technology (BMDT)

Duration: Three years,

Eligibility: 10+2 with science subjects.