Career in Medical lab technology
Introduction - Medical Laboratory Technology is an integral part of the medical care system. They conduct laboratory tests that aid in the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of disease. Clinical laboratory technicians are supervised by clinical laboratory technologists and physicians, such as pathologists. (Pathologists specialize in the diagnosis of disease.) Most clinical laboratory technicians work in hospitals. Some work in research institutes and clinics. Others are employed in commercial medical laboratories that run tests for doctors and hospitals on a fee basis. Clinical laboratory technicians perform routine tasks in the laboratory. For example, they collect samples of blood and urine, label them, and conduct simple tests on them. They sterilize instruments; prepare, stain, and label slides; and keep records of tests. Clinical laboratory technicians also perform tests involved in blood banking. For example, they may help to determine a donor's blood type. They may work in several areas of the clinical laboratory or specialize in just one. Histotechnicians prepare slides of body tissue for examination by clinical laboratory technologists and pathologists. They freeze tissue so that it can be cut into paper-thin slices. They also stain the slides so that the tissue can be seen clearly under a microscope.
Future scope-
One can also apply directly to hospitals, clinics, laboratories, and research institutions at which you would like to work. Additional training is usually required to advance. Clinical laboratory technicians may study to become technologists. A master's degree is generally required for teaching and research positions. The outlook for clinical laboratory technicians is excellent through the year 2014, with employment expected to increase faster than average. As the older population grows, so will the volume of testing and the number of clinical laboratories. The probability of new and more powerful diagnostic tests and research laboratories working to find the cause, treatment, and cure for AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) also should create jobs.
Working Conditions
Working conditions for clinical laboratory technicians vary depending on their specialty. However, in all cases the work is very detailed. . They rarely have contact with patients. Their tasks are generally routine, but they perform a wide range of tests. Histotechnicians perform many different tasks. Generally, they work under the supervision of several people. Histotechnicians may be under pressure to work quickly. At times, tissue samples of a person who is being operated on are sent to the technicians, and they must prepare the slides immediately. Clinical laboratory technicians usually work forty hours per week. Those who work in hospitals may be required to work some evenings and weekends. Laboratory technicians may be required to wear uniforms and protective clothing
Course Details-
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 (BLMT). The basic eligibility criterion for Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Technology (BMLT) is 10+2 or equivalent with Science subjects. BMLT is a 3 year programme. Eligibility needed for diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology (DMLT) is 10+2 or equivalent examination from a recognized University or Board. Duration of the course is 2 years. There are also other certificate courses in lab technicians which needs 10+2 as the eligibility.
Introduction - Medical Laboratory Technology is an integral part of the medical care system. They conduct laboratory tests that aid in the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of disease. Clinical laboratory technicians are supervised by clinical laboratory technologists and physicians, such as pathologists. (Pathologists specialize in the diagnosis of disease.) Most clinical laboratory technicians work in hospitals. Some work in research institutes and clinics. Others are employed in commercial medical laboratories that run tests for doctors and hospitals on a fee basis. Clinical laboratory technicians perform routine tasks in the laboratory. For example, they collect samples of blood and urine, label them, and conduct simple tests on them. They sterilize instruments; prepare, stain, and label slides; and keep records of tests. Clinical laboratory technicians also perform tests involved in blood banking. For example, they may help to determine a donor's blood type. They may work in several areas of the clinical laboratory or specialize in just one. Histotechnicians prepare slides of body tissue for examination by clinical laboratory technologists and pathologists. They freeze tissue so that it can be cut into paper-thin slices. They also stain the slides so that the tissue can be seen clearly under a microscope.
Future scope-
One can also apply directly to hospitals, clinics, laboratories, and research institutions at which you would like to work. Additional training is usually required to advance. Clinical laboratory technicians may study to become technologists. A master's degree is generally required for teaching and research positions. The outlook for clinical laboratory technicians is excellent through the year 2014, with employment expected to increase faster than average. As the older population grows, so will the volume of testing and the number of clinical laboratories. The probability of new and more powerful diagnostic tests and research laboratories working to find the cause, treatment, and cure for AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) also should create jobs.
Working Conditions
Working conditions for clinical laboratory technicians vary depending on their specialty. However, in all cases the work is very detailed. . They rarely have contact with patients. Their tasks are generally routine, but they perform a wide range of tests. Histotechnicians perform many different tasks. Generally, they work under the supervision of several people. Histotechnicians may be under pressure to work quickly. At times, tissue samples of a person who is being operated on are sent to the technicians, and they must prepare the slides immediately. Clinical laboratory technicians usually work forty hours per week. Those who work in hospitals may be required to work some evenings and weekends. Laboratory technicians may be required to wear uniforms and protective clothing
Course Details-
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 (BLMT). The basic eligibility criterion for Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Technology (BMLT) is 10+2 or equivalent with Science subjects. BMLT is a 3 year programme. Eligibility needed for diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology (DMLT) is 10+2 or equivalent examination from a recognized University or Board. Duration of the course is 2 years. There are also other certificate courses in lab technicians which needs 10+2 as the eligibility.
