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Introduction
Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT) also known as clinical laboratory science is an allied health profession which is concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease through the use of clinical laboratory tests. These tests help doctors to detect, diagnose and treat diseases. A Medical Laboratory Technologist conducts these tests by analyzing body fluids, tissues, blood typing, microorganism screening, chemical analyses, cell counts of human body etc. Medical Laboratory Technologists play important role in collecting the information, sampling, testing, reporting and documenting these investigations, determining the presence, extent or absence of disease and match it up with the required levels.
There are two levels of medical laboratory workers - Technicians and Technologists.
Medical technologists work in five major areas of the laboratory i.e., in Blood banking, Clinical Chemistry (chemical analysis of body fluids), Hematology (blood related), Immunology (study of immune system) and Microbiology (study of bacteria and other disease organisms). They also work in the areas of cytotechnology (study of human tissue), phlebotomy, urine analysis, coagulation, parasitology and serology.
Medical technologists have more training and job responsibilities. They perform complex tests such as microscopic examinations of tissues, blood and other body fluids to detect evidence of disease and detect the presence of bacteria, fungi, parasites etc and chemical tests to determine blood cholesterol levels. Medical Laboratory Technologists also match blood samples for transfusions and test drug levels in blood to test the efficacy of drugs. Medical Laboratory Technologists are also responsible for making sure that testing is done accurately. In some laboratories, technologists conduct research under the supervision of medical researchers.
Medical technicians do routine laboratory testing under stipulated conditions. They work under Medical Laboratory Technologists or supervisors. Technicians may prepare specimens and operate machines that automatically analyze samples. In addition to running tests, technicians set up, clean, and maintain laboratory equipment, such as centrifuges, microscopes etc, they also take care to ensure that the laboratory is under the stipulated conditions viz. the room temperature should be maintained properly, the placement of the chemicals is correct, the blood samples or the urine samples or the like are being tested under proper conditions otherwise the results may not be correct. They also prepare standard solutions for use in the lab.
Aspirants of medical laboratory technology can take up courses both at diploma and undergraduate level. The B.Sc. programme 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 examination from a recognized University or Board. Duration of the course is 3 years. There are also other certificate courses in lab technicians which needs 10+2 with science subjects as the eligibility. 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) and
D. M. L. T. (Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Technology)
A Medical Laboratory 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 Laboratory 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.
The medical technologists are integral part of the medical profession. These professionals get involved in practical and technical work to aid correct diagnosis and in the 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 Laboratory Technologists 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 lab Technologists/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.4, 500 - 6,000 per month in hospitals and in clinics. However, lab technologists get higher salary as compared to lab technicians.
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.
Sardar Bhagwan Singh Memorial Instt. of Biomedical Sciences, Dehra Dun
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.
The contents are informative in nature. Candidates are advised to refer to the notice published on Official Websites of the organization(s) administering the particular Courses/Test(s) / Examination(s).
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