Joining a medical college as an MBBS student is not the only route for entering the medical field. With the increase in medical facilities, hospitals, health care centers, polyclinics, nursing homes and diagnostic centers, not only is there a demand for trained doctors and surgeons in various fields of specialization, there is also a need for various paramedical experts and technicians.

These experts and technicians have a very important role to play in helping the doctor make an accurate diagnosis for the treatment, cure and overall care of patients.

While medical laboratory technicians and radiographers help in the diagnosis of an ailment, physiotherapist's occupational therapists and pharmacists, together help in the treatment and care of patients. These disciplines are, in fact, closely concerned with assisting the disabled, paralyzed and handicapped people return to normalcy. 

Technology in the field of medicine is advancing by leaps and bounds. As a result, the need for trained personnel to operate, utilize and interpret the new equipment is also increasing rapidly.

Within the paramedical services, the various specializations are also referred to as the semi-professional health services. These include the work of X-ray technologists, medical laboratory technicians, dieticians, food service workers, dental mechanics, emergency medical technicians, safety engineers, pharmacists, sanitary engineers, optometrists, physical therapists and occupational
therapists.

MAIN AREAS OF WORK

With the rapid spread of hospitals, dispensaries and medical centers in every nook and corner of the country, and the increase in specializations in the medical profession, the functional areas for paramedics have rapidly expanded wrong results and harm human life. Instruments, too, have to be handled carefully, and the correct procedures and timings have to be adhered to.

Major Tasks Performed

Medical laboratory technicians generally deal with pathology or microbiology. They work in biochemical laboratories.

Conducting Laboratory Tests: Medical technicians are involved in making laboratory tests of urine, stool and blood, making blood counts and smears, and giving biological skin tests.

Preparing Vaccines: Medical technicians are also involved in the preparation of vaccines, labeling blood groups and differentiating the blood groups for transfusions.
Helping Physicians in Detecting, Diagnosing and Treating

Diseases: Laboratory technicians are involved in examining body fluids and tissue samples, determining the presence of bacteria and fungi, and preparing slides from sample tissues and body cells. They are also involved in taking electrocardiograms (ECGs).

ENTRY

Entry into this profession requires formal education in the field. This is now available at a large number of institutions for students who have cleared the 10+2 examination with physics, chemistry and biology as subjects.

TRAINING

Both degree as well as diploma courses are available and the duration of these courses varies between two to three years. There are several institutions that impart training in medical technology. However, very few institutes take students on an all-India basis.

ELIGIBILITY

Those candidates, who are at least 17 years old and have cleared the intermediate level examination, with a background in science, are eligible for the B.Sc. courses in medical technology. Students who have cleared the class X examination are also eligible for certain diploma and certificate courses.

INSTITUTIONS

The three-year B.Sc. programme in medical laboratory technology is available at various institutions. Notable among these are The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi, Medical College, Trivandrum, the Jawahar Institute of PG Medical Education and Research
in Pondicherry, and the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Chandigarh.

One year Certificate courses in laboratory technology are available in various institutions, including the GKM Educational Institution Trust in Bangalore. The Pant Institute of Technology offers a two-year diploma course for medical laboratory technicians. These courses are available for candidates who have cleared the class X examination.