To be a doctor is not the only option to make a career in the medical field. There are various other options for serving and curing, says Aruna Singh
In the era of modern medical science, clinical laboratory plays a vital role. In present time, doctor performs different kinds of test with the single patient just to know the actual disease so as to provide better treatment and cure to the patients. For knowing the results of the test performed by doctors as well as for better medicines, we need Clinical laboratories. Working in such laboratories, we need trained professionals and technicians and in medical terms we call these professionals or technicians as Medical laboratory Technologists (MlT).
The work of the medical laboratory technician is exciting, varied and vital to the quality of a patient’s healthcare. Medical lab technicians (also referred to as medical laboratory scientists/technologists or clinical laboratory science professionals) work behind the scenes as highly skilled scientists to perform tests that detect the absence or presence of disease. Results of the tests performed by these scientists are passed on to physicians so that they can treat patients and manage disease according to the findings. Its study involves Bio-chemistry, Microbiology and Blood-banking. MlT specializes in researching about the types of blood, its cells and other studies related to it.
Nature of work
Medical laboratory technicians examine and analyse body fluids, tissues, blood typing, micro organisms, screening, chemical analyses, cell count, etc of the human body. They play an important role in collecting the information needed for treating most pathology cases by sampling, testing, analysing and reporting such investigations. MlT works upon the direction given by the doctors.
They are also responsible for the maintenance of the equipments. Not only this, they also prepare the solution for testing the samples in the laboratory. They not only know about the medical science but also know about the safety and security measures of the laboratories.
The main work of a lab technician is to carry out results from the samples present in the lab but they are not specialised in predicting the final result of the samples provided to them. The results of the samples are only predicted by either pathologists or lab technologists.
During carrying out the result from the samples, MlT keep those samples for future results and tests. This profession generally includes lots of responsibilities and challenges. A person should have patience as well as ability to be excelled in this field. He should be able to keep sample and data provided to him in confidential state.
Eligibility
For pursuing career in this field of medical sciences, one can opt for degree courses like certificate course, diploma course, bachelor ,and master degree course consist of basic physiology, basic bio-chemistry and blood banking, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, pathology, environment and biomedical waste management, medical laboratory technology and hospital administration.
There are different courses in this field like Certificate in Medical lab Technician (MlT), duration of the course is 6 months and eligibility is 10th pass from a recognised board or university.
Diploma in Medical lab Technology for this course the eligibility is Class XII pass from a recognised Board or university and the time duration of this course is one-year and moreover the applicant should have opted (PCB) Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Physics Chemistry, Maths in Class XII.
For B Sc in MlT one has to do 10+2 with science stream and the duration of this course is three years. For M Sc in medical laboratory technologists (MlT) program one should have 10th pass diploma certificate, after that two years associate programme is necessary. These courses are offered either by program community college, technical school, vocational school or universities.
Opportunities
lab technicians need perfection as well as experience in their work. This type of work experience one can get during their work experience in laboratories. In most of the places one doesn’t need proof letter but in some places one needs to have proof letter to work with technicians. One can work in medical laboratory, hospitals, pathologies etc. in fact these professional are in very much demand in the blood banks.
Remuneration
The remuneration in the field of medical laboratory technology starts from the Rs 6000 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 handsomely.
The writer is principal, Delhi Paramedical and Management Institute.