SRM University Chennai
- Fees: ₹ 60,000
What is Medical Laboratory Technology
Medical Laboratory Technology is the science that deals with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of various diseases with clinical laboratory tests. This includes the analysis of body fluids.
Medical Laboratory Technologists perform analyses by preparing slides of human tissues and other specimens using lab equipment.
Blood tests and blood typing, too, are carried out by these professionals. Their job entails performing complex procedures and tests to help other healthcare professionals detect, diagnose and treat diseases in patients.
Students who study Medical Laboratory Technology learn about human physiology, human anatomy, biochemistry, pathology, microbiology, clinical haematology, immunology, serology, and bio-medical waste management.
Eligibility Criteria (UG & PG) of Medical Laboratory Technology
At the undergraduate level, candidates are eligible to apply for a BSc or Medical Laboratory Technology programme if:
They have completed their class 12 board examination with core subjects as Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (Mathematics is mandatory for Medical Laboratory Technology courses).
They have secured a minimum of 50-60% aggregate score in the qualifying examination (the cutoff may vary from institute to institute)
At the postgraduate level, eligible candidates for studying MSc in Medical Laboratory Technology must have:
Completed a B.Sc. in MLT, B.Sc. Microbiology, Medical Laboratory Technology, or any equivalent science degree
Secured above 55% marks in the qualifying examination
The eligibility criteria for post graduation in Medical Laboratory Technology is as follows:
College Predictors VIEW ALL
Scope of Medical Laboratory Technology in India and Abroad
Candidates who have completed a degree in Medical Laboratory Technology have a variety of career prospects to choose from. In India, the demand for medical laboratory technicians or technologists is high, enough to accommodate numerous applications and many specialisations, and this demand is expected to soar in the coming years.
Both governments owned and private industries have plenty of vacancies to offer prospective candidates who are fresh graduated from a BSc Medical Laboratory Technology course.
Candidates may be employed as X-ray technicians, MRI technicians, or may work in pathology labs, blood banks and nursing homes.
Another particularly high-income option that is available to professionals who have gathered a few years of experience is to work self-employed.
Course Fees Medical Laboratory Technology
| Minimum Fees | Maximum Fees | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private | Government | Private | Government | |
| UG |
30.00 K
B.Voc. in Medical Laboratory Technology at Mahishadal Raj College, Purba Medinipur
|
36.00 K
B.Sc. in Medical Laboratory Technology at Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla
|
10.90 Lakhs
B.Sc. in Medical Laboratory Technology at NSHM College of Management and Technology, Kolkata
|
2.58 Lakhs
B.Sc. in Medical Laboratory Technology at Sam Higginbottom Institute of Agriculture Technology and Science, Allahabad
|
| PG |
20.00 K
P.G.D in Medical Laboratory Technology at Singhania University, Jhunjhunu
|
9.36 K
P.G.D in Medical Laboratory Technology at Central University of Tamil Nadu, Thiruvarur
|
2.95 Lakhs
M.Sc. in Medical Laboratory Technology at Sushant University, Gurgaon
|
84.00 K
P.G.D in Medical Laboratory Technology at Gujarat University, Ahmedabad
|
| DIPLOMA |
24.00 K
Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology at Tata Institute of Social Sciences, School of Vocational Education, Mumbai
|
8.35 K
Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology at Government Polytechnic for Women, Sirsa
|
2.10 Lakhs
Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology at Lovely Professional University, Phagwara
|
2.04 Lakhs
Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology at Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Centre, Delhi
|
Course Subjects
Subjects in Medical Laboratory Technology courses include knowledge of the human physiology and anatomy, managing biomedical wastes and other related subject matter. Some of the most important subjects covered during the Medical Laboratory Technology course, for instance, are:
Biochemistry
Health Education and Health Communication
Human Anatomy
Human Physiology
PC Software Lab
Bio-Medical Waste Management
Communication Lab
Pathology
Immunology and Serology
Microbiology
Histopathology and Histotechniques
Clinical Haematology
Immunohematology and Blood Banking
Parasitology and Virology
Clinical Enzymology
Diagnostic Cytology
Clinical Enzymology and Automation
Principles of Lab Management and Medical Ethics
Diagnostic Molecular Biology
Advanced Diagnostic Techniques
Clinical Endocrinology and Toxicology
Certain semesters also include practical subjects such as Human Anatomy, Biochemistry, and Human Physiology. The final semester includes a mandatory Internship Project.
Careers in Medical Laboratory Technology
The responsibility of a lab technologist is of crucial significance to many other departments of medicine and surgery. To diagnose an illness, doctors must investigate through proper tests.
The results of these tests help them decide how to treat the concerned illness and suggest preventive methods. This testing is the job of a laboratory technologist.
This field of work is highly demanding in skill and responsibility and requires a lot of hard work. Therefore, a career in Medical Laboratory Technology can be very challenging and dynamic, all the while, allowing you to make a difference in people's lives.
Professionals in medical lab technology usually work in certain specialised areas like Microbiology, Haematology, Clinical Chemistry, Blood Banking and Immunology. Other areas of expertise may include urinalysis, coagulation, parasitology, cytotechnology, phlebotomy and serology.
With a degree in Medical Laboratory Technology, aspirants are allowed to choose the area in which they wish to work and, if desired, to go in a different direction to gain a better experience. A career in this field, therefore, is rich with experience and highly rewarding.
Upcoming trends
Since the 1980s, medical laboratories have been undergoing dramatic innovation, with remarkable growth in the complexity and range of available services.
Laboratory technology frequently takes the lead in medical advances, so much so that sometimes techniques for testing for diagnosis for a particular condition are already available before the conception of effective treatment of the same.
In recent times, Information Technology has taken the Medical Laboratory field by storm with its revolutionary data transfer speed and the opportunities it has created for further research on larger sets of data. Some of the emerging trends in Medical Laboratory Technology today are:
1. Laboratory Automation- Laboratory automation processes are done in three stages:
Preanalytic, which are; choosing the test, preparing the patient, collecting and transporting the specimen, and daily quality controls;
The analytic stage which refers to the actual testing of the specimen and all the procedures leading up to the result;
And the Postanalytic stage when the results are forwarded to the concerned authorities.
Automation has, in each of these stages, transformed the processes to some extent making it easier to deliver results and save time enormously.
Even today, although a lot of work is still done manually, for instance, specimens are often transported by courier, automation has already made some difference and will continue to make larger contributions to optimising the process.
2. Information Technology for better services- The IT revolution has stricken many areas of healthcare, laboratory services included. The use of electronic systems has made it possible to improve laboratory services tremendously.
Patient records are easier to keep track of, computers can be programmed to deliver analyses based on interpretation of test results and suggest the appropriate action to be taken.
Reports, too, have become an internet-based service, making it easier to communicate test results to patients. In these and many other ways, IT is bringing enormous innovative possibilities to the field of medical laboratory technology.
3. Laboratory Measurement and Testing Technology- Advancements in laboratory testing technology usually takes place in small increments and breakthrough developments. Some of the latest trends that are taking place in the area include:
- Genetic Testing, a concept which has already significant development and extensive use, will now begin to focus more on prevention. Emphasis will move from the treatment of established diseases and costly intervention to active prediction and prevention of impending diseases.
- Pharmacogenomics, a relatively new science, has emerged in gene technology which could result in improved health outcomes and save costs in the long term, substantially enough to offset its initial steep expense.
- Nanotechnology has begun to affect the clinical lab industry by developing miniature devices and components for chemical processing and measurement sensors. This technology could go on to help the industry move towards developing small and versatile point-of-care tests.
Job Profiles and Top Recruiters
In India, Medical Laboratory Technicians can explore a whole variety of employment opportunities depending upon their specialisations. Some of the typical job roles in this field of work include:
Job Profile | Responsibilities |
Anaesthesia Technician | Helping anaesthesiologists or other medical staff in cleaning, preparing and maintaining anaesthesia equipment for use in a surgical procedure |
MRI Technician | Running MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scanners at hospitals and diagnostic facilities, working directly with patients and explaining to them what to expect and understand from the results, giving drugs to patients for better contrast on scanned images |
Pathology Technician | Performing lab tests on human cells, fluids and tissues to diagnose illnesses, assisting pathologists, working with chemicals and lab machinery |
CT Scan Technician | Using Computerised Tomography (CT) scanners and producing cross-sectional images of the internal organs of a patient to detect medical issues |
Operation Theatre Technician | Maintaining and preparing the operation theatre and the necessary equipment for operation, assisting surgical and anaesthetic teams during operations, providing support to patients in recovery |
X-Ray Technician/Technologist | Working on imaging methods by using cutting-edge technology to view the inside of the human body, creating pictures to help physicians diagnose and treat injuries or health complications |
Orthopaedic Technician/Plaster Technician | Applying casts to fractured limbs or other body parts of the patient, applying sprints and braces as per requirements, remedying an orthopaedic condition that may have arisen from an accident or surgery |
Top Recruiters
All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)
Forensic Science Laboratory
Apollo
Batra Hospital and Medical Research Centre, Delhi
Columbia Asia Referral Hospital
Manipal Hospital
Fortis
Lilavati Hospital, Mumbai
Paramount Health Services
Cactus Global
Average Salary
The annual salaries of the various job profiles available to candidates who possess a degree in Medical Laboratory Technology are varied based upon the employing organisation and amount of experience. The average salaries are estimated to be:
Job Profile | Average Salary Per Annum |
Anaesthesia Technician | Rs. 4 Lakhs p.a. (Approx.) |
MRI Technician | Rs. 5 Lakhs p.a. (Approx.) |
Pathology Technician | Rs. 4 Lakhs p.a. (Approx.) |
CT Scan Technician | Rs. 3 Lakhs p.a. (Approx.) |
Operation Theatre Technician | Rs. 3 Lakhs p.a. (Approx.) |
X-Ray Technician/Technologist | Rs. 2 Lakhs p.a. (Approx.) |
Orthopaedic Technician/Plaster Technician | Rs. 3 Lakhs p.a. (Approx.) |
Required Skillset for Medical Laboratory Technology
Medical Laboratory Technology is a course of study suitable for those who pay attention to detail and are comfortable working with fluids like blood.
The job entails sample collections, storing, testing, analysing, and documenting reports of the analysis- all of which requires a good deal of precision.
Work of this kind, while seemingly daunting, can be performed effortlessly if one possesses the necessary skillset, of which some important skills are:
Communication: A professional in this field should understand spoken and written information, read and understand work-related material, speak and write clearly to communicate diagnoses and results.
Reasoning and Problem-Solving Skills: Medical Laboratory Technologists should be able to analyse ideas and logic and determine their strengths, combine several informational pieces to draw relevant conclusions, make use of reasoning to discover solutions to problems, analyse the costs and benefits of a course of action.
Sound abilities in Mathematics and Science: The work that these professionals do require them to use scientific problem-solving methods, solve problems with mathematical formulas, and perform quick calculations with accuracy.
Time Management: Sometimes, numerous samples awaiting testing may pile up, and the workload may be difficult to cope with unless you have time management skills as well as the ability to work on priority. Time management involves taking care not to waste the time of colleagues or patients as well.
Working with People: Medical Laboratory Technologists/Technicians should ideally have the skills to teach others how to perform laboratory work, understand other people's reactions and constantly look for ways to help people.
Course Curriculum for Medical Laboratory Technology
A course in Medical Laboratory Technology is career-oriented and highly demanding in the paramedical science realm. The course involves teaching students how to handle equipment, conduct tests, collect information, make reports, and document these reports. Coursework, therefore, involves plenty of practical, hands-on training and enough experience.
Popular Medical Laboratory Technology Entrance Exams in India
Popular Medical Laboratory Technology Colleges in India VIEW ALL
LPU Jalandhar
- Fees: ₹ 336,000
Chandigarh University
- Fees: ₹ 420,000
- Exams: Chandigarh University (CUCET)
Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi
- Fees: ₹ 400,000
Integral University, Lucknow
- Fees: ₹ 225,000
- Exams: IUET
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Question: Is it necessary to take NEET for BMLT admission?
Answer :
Most colleges offer merit-based admissions to BMLT programmes, so it isn't necessary to sit for the NEET exam to gain admission into a BMLT course.
Question: Where can I find jobs immediately after completing BMLT?
Answer :
After Medical Laboratory Technology, jobs are open to freshers both in the government and private sectors. Graduates can work in laboratories, nursing homes, hospitals, universities, or even research and development centres.
Question: Is there scope for salary increments in this area of work?
Answer :
In Medical Laboratory Technology, much like any other medical practice, salary increases with experience. Higher qualification and position in the organisation also play a role in salary increments.
Question: Other than being a laboratory technologist or work in medical centres, what can you do after BMLT?
Answer :
Graduates who don't wish to work as traditional laboratory technologists/technicians can also find employment as a Microbiologist, Biotechnologist, or a Quality Control Analyst in areas like food, agriculture, medicine, and environment.
Question: What are some further study options after BMLT, apart from a Master's degree in Medical Laboratory Technology?
Answer :
Graduates of BMLT can pursue higher studies in the form of a PG diploma or certificate courses in areas like Immunology, Cytotechnology, Microbiology, Phlebotomy, Forensic Science, and Histotechnology.
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