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| A qualified medical lab technician needs to be extremely precise and disciplined in their work. |
Career as a medical lab technician offers you the chance to have an important impact on enduring care, without actually interacting with patients.
Being a
doctor is not the only option to pursue a career in medicine as most people
believe. There are numerous options available in the healthcare sector. One of
such option is that of medical laboratory technology.
Why
medical laboratory technology?
The medical treatment starts only after the
diagnosis of the disease and diagnose, doctors need various kinds of analysis
through tests. On the basis of the outcome of these tests, they treat and give
advice for prevention. This is where the crucial role of medical laboratory
technology or clinical laboratory science comes in picture.
The medical laboratory technicians are the
ones who collect blood samples and perform the various diagnostic tests by
analysing body fluids like blood, saliva and urine, tissues, microorganism
screening, chemical analyses, cell counts of human body etc.
Medical laboratory technicians also play an
important role in collecting the information needed, sampling, testing,
reporting and documentation of these investigations. They determine the
presence, extent or absence of disease and provide data needed to evaluate the
effectiveness of treatment.
Skills
required
A qualified medical lab technician needs to
be extremely precise and disciplined in their work. They should be proficient
in managing delicate laboratory equipment and responsive materials. According
to the College Board, a medical lab technology job requires its practitioners
to be logical and precise, with a curiosity in medicine, science and
technology. In an increasingly computerised industry, a medical lab
technologist should be capable of using computers and digital equipment and
comfortable with understanding new technologies.
Career
overview
As a medical lab technician, one does
regular laboratory testing manually with the help of high-end equipment.
Technicians collect samples, organise specimens and operate machines that
mechanically analyse samples. They also organise standard solutions which
engage measuring and mixing the correct amount of diverse chemicals for use in the
lab.
Career
prospects
Career as a medical lab technician offers
you the chance to have an important impact on enduring care, without actually
interacting with patients. One can also work as a freelancer as well as a
phlebotomist and earn well.
With the relevant skills, a candidate can
find employment in a hospital, minor emergency centres, private laboratory,
blood donor centres, health care centre or clinics. You can aspire to become a
technologist in due time and work experience.
Medical lab technicians can also find jobs
in research facilities, crime laboratories, universities, pharmaceutical
companies and military. Lab technicians are constantly in demand in hospitals,
speciality hospitals, laboratories etc.
You could grow to become:
Laboratory manager/consultant/supervisor
Laboratory information system
analyst/consultant
Hospital outreach coordinator
Medical technicians are also required in an
industry such as pharmaceutical for a position in product development,
promotion, sales, quality promise, environmental health and insurance, amongst
others.
Eligibility
The eligibility needed for a diploma in
medical laboratory technology (DMLT) is Class 12 or equivalent examination from
a recognised board. The duration of the course is mainly two years. There are
also other certificate courses for lab technicians which needs Class 12 as the
eligibility.
Courses are offered by various institutes,
colleges, universities as well as hospitals. The hospitals or the medical labs
are usually affiliated with a college or university. On the job training along
with the classroom sessions plays a vital role in providing the practical
exposure as well as hands-on experience related to this sector.
For those who want to pursue Bachelor of
Medical Laboratory Technology (BMLT), the eligibility is Class 12 or equivalent
with science subjects or pre-university vocational course from a recognised
board with laboratory technology as a vocational subject. BMLT is a three-year
programme.
Remunerations
Medical lab technology is a productive and
challenging field. The initial salary package for a medical lab technician
ranges from Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000 per month in hospitals and in clinics. One
can also earn well as a freelancer. The pay packages gradually increase with
years of experience.
