Medical Lab Technologist Careers 2023 : Best Courses, Skills & Job prospects
- Naief Khatri
- Updated Date: August 25, 2023
Table of Contents
Medical Laboratory Technology a.k.a clinical laboratory science helps diagnose, treat and prevent disease through clinical laboratory tests. It is complementary to medical science. It involves analysis of body matter such as fluid, tissue, and blood. It also covers micro-organism screening, chemical analyses, and cell count. These professionals, medical lab technicians and technologists, play an important role in collecting information, sampling, testing, reporting and documenting medical investigations. Read on to know how to develop a career in medical lab technology:
Medical Lab Technologist work covers areas such as:
- Blood banking
- Clinical Chemistry (chemical analysis of body fluids)
- Haematology (blood related)
- Immunology (study of immune system)
- Microbiology (study of bacteria and other disease organisms)
- Cytotechnology (study of human tissue)
- Phlebotomy
- Urine analysis
- Coagulation
- Parasitology
- Blood Sample Matching
- Drug Efficacy Tests
- Serology
Technologists may also conduct research supervised by medical researchers, who are responsible for maintaining report accuracy and conducting complex tests. They generally have more training than a medical laboratory technician, who performs routine testing under stipulated conditions.Technicians may help by preparing specimens and operating automated sample analysing machines, setting up testing equipment, keeping the lab clean, maintaining tools and conditions etc.
Medical Lab Technology Course
Aspirants of medical laboratory technology can take up courses both at diploma and undergraduate levels. The B.Sc. program in medical laboratory technology is offered by different medical colleges/institutions across the country. The degree awarded is B.Sc.-M.L.T. The pre-requisite for B.Sc. Medical Laboratory Technology (BMLT) is 10+2 with science subjects or equivalent from a recognized University or Board. The duration of the course is 3 years. There are also other certificate courses for lab technician careers which needs 10+2 with science subjects. Courses are offered by colleges, universities as well as hospitals. The hospitals are usually affiliated with a college or university.
The three main courses available in medical laboratory technology are
- B.Sc. (MLT)
- B. M. L. T. (Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Technology) (Click to learn more about BMLT)
- D. M. L. T. (Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Technology)
Medical Lab Technologist Skills and Attributes
A Medical Lab Technologist should be disciplined and attentive. As fire is a bad master, likewise the chemicals in the laboratory are good servants but very bad masters. A Medical Lab Technologist should also have the ability to conduct research, finish tasks with speed as well as with accuracy, to handle stress, make analytical judgment, interpreting technical/scientific data, knowledge of laboratory instrumentation, mechanical ability and the ability to use computers.
Medical Laboratory Technology Job Prospects
Medical lab technologist are an integral part of the medical profession. These professionals get involved in practical and technical work to aid correct diagnosis and effective functioning of Biochemical Laboratories.
The career prospects in this field depend on the academic and technical skills of the technologist/technician. Initially he/she joins any laboratory as a certified medical laboratory technician. These days with the growth in the private sector there are so many private hospitals, nursing homes, blood banks, pathology laboratories etc. the demand for laboratory technicians is on the up-swing.
With adequate knowledge and experience, Medical Lab Technologist can advance to supervisory or management positions in laboratories and hospitals. They can also work as Laboratory manager/Consultant/supervisor, health care Administrator, Hospital Outreach coordination, laboratory information system Analyst/Consultant, educational consultant / coordinator etc. Additional opportunities are available in molecular diagnostics, molecular biotechnology companies and in vitro fertilization laboratories as well as in research labs.
Medical Laboratory Technology Salary
Medical lab Technologist/Technicians get reasonable salary in government and private hospitals, clinics and diagnostic laboratories etc. Employment of clinical laboratory workers is expected to grow fast in the near future.
The average starting salary of a lab technician ranges between Rs.8,000 – 16,000 per month in hospitals and in clinics. However, lab technologists get higher salary as compared to lab technicians.
Medical Lab Technician Course 2023
A Medical laboratory technician (MLT) is a healthcare professional who performs laboratory tests on blood, tissue, and other bodily fluids to help diagnose diseases and other medical conditions. Medical lab technologist work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, reference laboratories, and blood banks.
The duties of an Medical Lab Technologist vary depending on the specific setting. In general, Medical laboratory technician perform the following tasks:
- Collect and prepare patient samples.
- Perform laboratory tests.
- Analyze test results and report them to physicians.
- Maintain laboratory equipment and supplies.
- Document laboratory procedures.
Medical lab technician must have a high school diploma or equivalent and an associate’s degree in medical laboratory technology for Medical lab technician degree. Some employers may also require Medical lab technician to have certification or licensure.
The median annual salary for Medical lab technologist in India is ₹3.5 lakhs (approximately US$43,000). The salary range for Medical laboratory technician can vary depending on the specific setting, experience, and education.
The job outlook for Medical laboratory technician is positive. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of Medical lab technician will grow 12% from 2020 to 2030, faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is due to the increasing demand for laboratory tests, as well as the aging population, which is more likely to require medical testing.
If you are interested in a career as a medical laboratory technician, here are some tips or lab technician requirement:
- Get a good education. An associate’s degree in medical laboratory technology is the minimum requirement for most Medical laboratory technician jobs.
- Get certified or licensed. Some employers may require Medical laboratory technician to be certified or licensed.
- Gain experience. Get as much experience as you can in a clinical setting. This will help you develop your skills and knowledge.
- Be detail-oriented. Medical laboratory technician must be able to follow instructions carefully and accurately.
- Be able to work independently. Medical laboratory technician often work independently, so they must be able to think critically and solve problems.
- Be able to work as part of a team. Medical laboratory technician work closely with other healthcare professionals, so they must be able to communicate effectively and collaborate.
Other Laboratory Technician Careers
Medical lab Technologist in India have a whole variety of fields in which to work. There are many different types and specializations of technicians, and each type of medical technician does a different kind of job, depending on the field in which he/she works. In general, however, “the term medical technician can apply to people who work in x-ray labs, people who work as dental hygienists, emergency medical response workers, helpers in surgery, pharmacy and veterinary assistants, and a plethora of other work environments.” There are:
- CT Scan Technicians
- Anesthesia Technicians, Laboratory Technicians
- MRI Technicians
- X-Ray Technicians
- Dental Mechanics [Technicians]
- Operation Theatre Technicians
- Pathology Technicians
- Optical Laboratory Technicians
- Sleep Laboratory Technicians
- Physiotherapy Technicians
- Plaster Technicians
- Renal Dialysis Technicians
- Radiology Technicians
Medical Lab Technologist find employment in places like hospitals, health care clinics, medical pathology laboratories, research laboratories, urologists’ offices, etc, with an expected average annual pay of approximately Rs. 96,000 – Rs. 6 lakh.
The requirements for becoming a medical technician vary somewhat depending on the employer, as some places have more stringent and strict requirements, while others are more flexible. On average though, the requirements are as follows: passing marks in HSC (also known as the ’10+2′ exam) in Science Subjects, a Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology (DMLT) or a Certificate in Medical Laboratory Technology (CMLT), and oftentimes a BMLT (Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Technology degree) or a Bachelor’s in Science (B.Sc.); some places may require the B.Sc. to be in a particular scientific field, like Pathology, for example.
A career as a Medical lab Technologist requires a person who is not squeamish, as most technicians have to work with bodily fluids or tissue or injuries in some capacity. For the Operations Theater (OT) Techs, Optical Lab Techs, Plaster Techs, Renal Dialysis Techs, and especially the Physiotherapy Techs, a passion for working with patients is a must, as those positions do require a lot of time spent interacting with patients during uncomfortable and sometimes painful procedures.
In that vain, it is also extremely important that the medical technician possess patience and compassion for others. Furthermore, a medical technician must be extremely organized (to avoid lab mix-ups), have strong written and oral communication skills (to communicate effectively with both patients and other medical staff), and be very detail oriented. Finally, a person best suited for a career as a medical technician must possess an analytical, scientifically inclined mind, one adept at following established scientific (as well as safety) protocols and procedures on a day-to-day basis.
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Top Institutes For B.Sc (MLT) Course
Courses such as DMLT, B.Sc (MLT) are offered by large numbers of institutes in India. Here is a list of top institutes which are offering B.Sc (MLT) course :
| Name of Institute | Course Name | Course Fee | Place |
|---|---|---|---|
|
All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) |
B.Sc. (MLT) |
INR 2.5 lakhs per year |
New Delhi |
|
Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore |
B.Sc. (MLT) |
INR 1.5 lakhs per year |
Vellore |
|
Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) |
B.Sc. (MLT) |
INR 1.25 lakhs per year |
Manipal |
|
Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER) |
B.Sc. (MLT) |
INR 1 lakh per year |
Pondicherry |
|
Kasturba Medical College (KMC), Manipal |
B.Sc. (MLT) |
INR 1.25 lakhs per year |
Manipal |
|
Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research |
B.Sc. (MLT) |
INR 1.5 lakhs per year |
Chennai |
|
Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences |
B.Sc. (MLT) |
INR 75,000 per year |
Bangalore |
|
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham |
B.Sc. (MLT) |
INR 1.25 lakhs per year |
Coimbatore |
|
Banaras Hindu University (BHU) |
B.Sc. (MLT) |
INR 60,000 per year |
Varanasi |
|
PGIMER, Chandigarh |
B.Sc. (MLT) |
INR 80,000 per year |
Chandigarh |
Note : For your reference we are giving you a state-wise list of medical colleges in India. Please click on the links given below to find list of medical institutes in that particular state / UT / city.
Medical Institutes in Major Cities
Medical Institutes in Various States
FAQ
A medical laboratory scientist (MLS), also known as a medical technologist or clinical laboratory scientist, works to analyze a variety of biological specimens. They are responsible for performing scientific testing on samples and reporting results to physicians
Medical Laboratory Technician salary in India ranges between ₹ 0.2 Lakhs to ₹ 4.2 Lakhs with an average annual salary of ₹ 2.1 Lakhs.
Yes, indeed, a Bachelor of Science in Medical Lab Technology is a good career option.
You can become a lab technician by pursuing DMLT or a BMLT course after 12th Science.
Diploma in MLT is quite a good field of study and it can provide you amazing professional career ahead. MLT is relatively an interesting subject and if you feel connected or enthusiastic about it then you will find it very easy to grasp. So you have nothing to worry about it and you can do great in the subject
Performs a variety of clinical laboratory tests in the areas of hematology, microbiology, immunology, clinical chemistry, and urinalysis, as assigned; conducts quantitative and qualitative chemical analyses of body fluids such as blood, urine, and spinal fluid; performs blood counts using microscope.
DMLT full form is “Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology“(DMLT) is a course in the field of paramedical courses and the professionals who specialize in this field are called Medical Laboratory Technicians (MLTs)
DMLT full form is “Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology “(DMLT) is a course in the field of paramedical science and the professionals who specialize in this field are called Medical Laboratory Technicians (MLTs). It is a diploma course which means one level down from degree
Average salary for a Dmlt in India is 1.8 Lakhs per year (₹15.0k per month). Salary estimates are based on 355 latest salaries received from various Dmlts across industries
- Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology (DMLT) DMLT Course is a popular option for individuals looking to start their careers as lab technicians. …
- Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Technology (BMLT) …
- Short-term Certificate Courses.
MLT is more towards technology field whereas Nursing is towards taking care of patients and required compassion, patience etc. Nursing and MLT holds a lot more scope. Both these courses are best in itself and you can pursue any of the course depending upon your area of interest and what you want to become
