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Who is a Medical Lab Technician?
Never say oops in the operation theatre ~ Anonymous
Medical lab technician is an individual who diagnoses and prevents serious diseases such as cancer, diabetes, an increase in cholesterol levels, and several other ailments. Medical laboratory scientists, also known as clinical laboratory scientists (CLS), are key healthcare professionals who help with a range of diagnostic tests on bodily fluids and specimens. There are several other fields that can be chosen by medical laboratory scientists.
Medical Lab Technicians can be employed in various healthcare facilities, such as hospitals, emergency centres, private laboratories, blood donor centres, doctor's offices, or clinics. If someone is passionate about healthcare and helping others then a medical lab technician could be the perfect choice for them. Aspiring students can pursue degrees in community medicine and public health, medical radiography, or hospital administration to enter the field.
Quick Facts for Medical Lab Technician
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Industry
Healthcare
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Average Salary in India
₹24000
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Suitable for
Male, Female, Others
A medical lab technician is a profession suitable for individuals of any gender, requiring skills, knowledge, and training to perform tasks like conducting tests, analysing results, and maintaining lab equipment. A medical lab technician is one of the important professions in medicine and it is a profession where an individual’s gender is insignificant.
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Any special needs
Yes
With accommodations, this career can be suitable as it emphasises procedural adherence and analytical skills over physical demands.
Table of Contents for Medical Lab Technician
What is the role of Medical Lab Technician?
Medical laboratory technicians perform routine testing manually and operate automated machines, preparing solutions and analysing samples. They assist in disease detection and work under supervision, utilising advanced instruments for analysis. Individuals who opt for a career as medical lab technicians work under the supervision of a doctor, medical laboratory scientist, or medical technician and evaluate substances in the clinic or laboratory.
Medical lab technicians meticulously organise documents and specimens to prevent errors and ensure accurate results.
They maintain and troubleshoot laboratory equipment to uphold quality assurance and ensure efficient functioning.
Technicians effectively communicate with healthcare professionals to convey patient information and abnormal conditions.
They handle chemical equipment and conduct various tests as prescribed by physicians.
Medical lab technicians conduct a range of diagnostic tests including haematology, urinalysis, and coagulation tests.
They ensure a safe environment by adhering to hospital standards and legal regulations.
Types of a Medical Lab Technician
Medical laboratory technology offers a wide range of roles for one to explore. The field provides a variety of opportunities, from assisting veterinarians to analysing ores and minerals. There may be an ambition to assist in biotechnology or aid surgeons during surgeries. The impact as a medical lab technician will be significant and constantly evolving.
Animal Health Technologist: Animal Health Technologist or technicians, are professionals assist veterinarians in providing medical care to animals. Veterinary technology programmes prepare students for immediate employment in veterinary offices, animal hospitals, research facilities, or animal shelters.
Assayers: Assayers are specialists in analysing ores and minerals to determine their composition and value, assayers utilise various techniques such as spectrographic analysis and chemical solutions. Their expertise is crucial in industries like mining and metallurgy.
Biotechnology Laboratory Worker: Biotechnology Laboratory supports laboratory research in biotechnology by performing bench work and laboratory procedures under supervision. They play a vital role in advancing scientific discoveries in fields such as genetics, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture.
Biological Technologist: Biological Technologist Providing technical support to scientists and professionals in various fields, biological technologists assist in research projects, conduct experiments, and analyse data to contribute to scientific advancements in agriculture, environmental protection, and health sciences.
Chemical Technician: Chemical Technicians work in manufacturing facilities, they assist chemists and chemical engineers in researching, developing, and testing chemical products and processes. They monitor and adjust equipment, ensuring safety and efficiency in chemical production.
Laboratory Technician: Laboratory technicians collect and process specimens from patients for medical diagnosis. Working under the direction of laboratory technologists, they use specialised techniques to identify illnesses and assist in patient care.
Operating Theatre Technician: Operating theatre technicians play a crucial role in supporting healthcare practitioners during surgical procedures. They prepare the operating room, maintain instruments, and assist nurses and surgeons before, during, and after surgery.
Ophthalmic Medical Technician: Ophthalmic medical technicians support eye care professionals by performing diagnostic tests and maintaining equipment. They assist in diagnosing and treating eye conditions, contributing to patient care in ophthalmology.
Perfusionist: Perfusionists are highly trained specialists working as part of heart surgical teams, perfusionists assist in cardiovascular surgery and blood conservation. They also provide long-term care for respiratory failure and support various medical procedures such as organ transplants.
What is the workplace/work environment of Medical Lab Technician like?
Medical lab technicians work in various settings such as hospitals, diagnostic labs, and physicians' offices. They may also find employment in blood and organ banks, research facilities, and pharmaceutical laboratories. Work environments are clean and well-lit, requiring technicians to wear protective clothing like lab coats, masks, goggles, and gloves.
Does Medical Lab Technician require travelling?
Not Likely
The job of a medical lab technician (MLT) does not involve travelling as such. But, in some cases, they may have to travel. For example, If there is an immediate requirement for blood in one of the branches of a hospital they are working in, they may have to go and supply the blood from one hospital building to the other.
Time Pressure
Not Likely
Medical laboratory technicians encounter moderate work pressure, typically working a minimum of 40 hours per week indoors, conducting research, and preparing solutions for projects. They may work irregular hours to oversee experiments not completed during regular hours.
How to become a Medical Lab Technician?
Steps to become a Medical Lab Technician
If you understand what a medical laboratory technician is and what their role entails, and you're keen on performing all the tasks associated with this profession, then pursuing a career as a medical laboratory technician could be one of the best career paths for you. Below, we have outlined some steps to guide you on how to become a medical laboratory technician in India.
What are the skills and qualities required to become a/an Medical Lab Technician?
This section provides a comprehensive guide on how to become a Medical Lab Technician, outlining the essential skills required for a successful career in this field, including:
Listening: Individuals who opt for a career as medical lab technicians need to pay full attention to what other people are saying, take time to consider the points that are being made, ask questions as necessary, and not interrupt improperly. It enhances teamwork, ensures accurate testing, and fosters patient trust. Active listening contributes to efficient operations and high-quality patient care in medical laboratories.
Reading Skills: Medical lab technicians depend on reading to interpret test requirements, procedure manuals, and safety guidelines. Proficient reading skills help technicians stay updated with advancements in medical technology, ensuring they maintain high standards of accuracy and safety in laboratory operations. Reading is composed of two linked processes: word recognition and interpretation.
Critical Thinking: An individual who opts for a career as a medical lab technician uses logic and common sense to define the benefits and disadvantages of potential solutions, assumptions, or ways to solve problems. Critical thinking is also crucial for medical lab technicians as it aids in analysing situations, resolving issues, weighing options, and making informed decisions that significantly impact patient care.
Speaking: Speaking up in the workplace is meaningful action. Positive communication environments seem to want workers to speak to one another about suggestions or problems and also support a climate where employees feel relaxed.
Workplace speaking up is a treatment and support. Positive information and communication environments should want employees to communicate with each other about recommendations or difficulties, and also to assist an environment wherein the employees feel relaxed.
Scientific Knowledge: Scientific information enables us to create new technologies, solve problems, and make educated, personal, and social judgments. Although the services are really valuable, the innovation process is updated with a great scientific understanding of certain technologies that can lead to new technologies. Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
Supervisory Skills: Medical lab technicians require strong leadership and supervisory skills to excel in their roles and contribute to healthcare organisations' expansion. They foster a collaborative work environment by effectively communicating with colleagues and making sound decisions. They continuously monitor and assess performance to identify areas for improvement, ensuring efficient lab operations, maintaining high quality standards, and enhancing patient care.
Problem-Solving Ability: Problem-solving is beneficial to individuals and institutions as it helps us to exercise control of the environment. Problem-solving provides one with a process to detect such problems, find out that they've been damaged, and identify a line of action to solve them. Recognize complex issues and identify relevant information to enhance and assess options and come up with solutions.
Which certifications and internships can be helpful in becoming Medical Lab Technician?
We have mentioned below major certification courses that individuals who wish to opt for a career as a medical health technician can opt to upgrade their skill sets.
Advanced Certification Programme in Digital Health and Imaging
Introduction to Health Economics and Health Technology Assessment
Internship Availability
Internships are very important for medical professions since they give students real-world experience before they join the field practically. Individuals who opt for a career as medical lab technicians need to acquire the ability to put their theoretical knowledge into practice. Not only that, but an internship also helps an individual improve his or her knowledge about the field.
Internships are considered the best possible ways of making contacts in the field of work. Therefore, one could find an internship either with the help of several online portals or he or she could also contact a place of his or her choice directly.
Medical Lab Technician Jobs and Salaries
Junior Medical Lab Technician
- Average Salary 18000
Job Description
The Junior Medical Lab Technician job description includes performing blood tests, specimens, blood counts and examining cells. A Junior Medical Lab Technician collects and stores samples, analyses them and generates reports.
Salary Description
An entry-level Medical Lab Technician salary in India ranges between Rs 1.0 Lakhs to Rs 3.1 Lakhs with an average annual salary of Rs 2.3 Lakhs per annum. Junior Medical Lab Technician salary in India may vary depending on the various job factors like skills and experience of the candidates, job location, and others.
Salary Source: AmbitionBox
Senior Medical Lab Technician
- Average Salary 30000
Job Description
The Medical Lab Technician job description includes testing procedures for the patients, examining and approving the samples and ensuring a clean and safe environment. A Senior Medical Lab Technician prepares lab reagents and standard solutions to be used for the tests.
Salary Description
The estimated Medical Lab Technician salary in India ranges from Rs 1.3 Lakhs to Rs 6.6 Lakhs with an average annual salary of Rs 4 Lakhs per annum. Senior Medical Lab Technician salary may vary depending on the various job factors.
Salary Source: AmbitionBox
Disclaimer: “ The salary figures mentioned anywhere in this article is just for reference purposes. Please treat them as such. Actual salaries may vary depending on resective candidates, employer, job location, job profile and many other factors. “
What is the job outlook for Medical Lab Technician?
A medical lab technician may work as a technologist or technician at medical laboratories, depending on their skill, knowledge, training, and qualifications. Medical lab technicians start their careers as junior lab technicians after gaining some work experience and may rise through the ranks to become senior lab technicians. A good salary and job growth in this field are quite significant.
After several years of experience, he or she can even rise to higher positions and become a lab manager. Medical lab technology is a growing sector in general. Government hospitals, private hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes with medical labs are known to recruit medical technicians. Independent commercial medical labs and pathological labs are also known to recruit medical lab technicians.
Frequently Asked Questions for Medical Lab Technician
Que. What are the major subjects in Medical technology?
Ans.The subjects included in BS MedTech are: Inorganic and Organic ChemistryAnalytical ChemistryBiochemistry for Med Lab ScienceHuman Anatomy and Physiology with PathophysiologyPrinciples and Strategies of Teaching in Med Lab ScienceBiostatistics and EpidemiologyHealth Information System for Med Lab Science.
Que. Is a medical lab technician a doctor?
Ans.Medical lab technicians are healthcare professionals who work with physicians, but they are not doctors. A medical technologist can become a doctor by enrolling in medical school and completing their education in their chosen field.
Que. What are tests that can be run by a medical technologist?
Ans.Medical lab technicians work in all areas of the clinical laboratory including blood banking, chemistry, haematology, immunology, and microbiology. They perform a full range of laboratory tests from simple premarital blood tests to more complex tests to uncover diseases such as HIV/AIDS, diabetes, and cancer.
Que. Is medical technology a good career?
Ans.Choosing to work in the field of medical technology is an excellent career decision. Many areas within the health care sector can expect significant job growth over the next ten years, including medical technologists and technicians.
Que. How to get a job in a lab?
Ans.Laboratory technicians require an associate degree, which may take two years at technical colleges. Medical practitioners with at least one undergrad degree can gain skills through a one-year certificate course. After obtaining these degrees and relevant knowledge, a laboratory technician can find employment.
Que. Who is a lab technician?
Ans.Laboratory technicians are trained professionals who deal with difficult equipment or conduct mechanical or diagnostic tests in medical laboratories of extensive professional nature. Lab technicians could gather specimens, examine and check body fluids, teeth, chemical substances, tissue samples, or other research disciplines.
Que. How long does it take to become a Medical Lab Technician?
Ans.If you want to become a Medical Lab Technician, then you must opt for a degree or a diploma course in the related field either for two or three years including internship programmes. It might take five years to become a Medical Lab Technician.
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Questions related to Medical Lab Technician
i studied MLT (medical lab technician) cours with bridge course (botany, zoology, physics, chemistry) i eligible for NEET entrance exam?
Hello student
Yes you are eligible for appearing Neet but you will geg medical seat on the basis of your class xii score and you must fulfill the other eligibility criteria for neet 2024.
According to Neet eligibility criteria the candidate must be of minimum 17 years Age. There is no upper limit.
The candidate must be an Indian
The student must have passed class xii with physics, cheand biology subjects with minimum 50% marks . English is also mandatory subject.
For sc and st students there is relaxation of 5% .
Neet appliation process for the year 2024 is going on. The last date is march 2024.
You may refer the following link to details of neet eligibility criteria 2024
https://medicine.careers360.com/articles/neet-application-form
Answer laterwhat is the eligibility criteria for admission to course diploma in medical lab technician?
Hello!
The eligibility criteria for Diploma in Medical Lab Technician is almost similar in all colleges. Following are the eligibility criteria for admission in this course-
- The candidates must have qualified their class 10 with a minimum of 50% marks from any recognised board.
- They must be between 16 to 28 years of age at the time of admission.
- The candidate can qualify for the AIE CET to get admission to PM Polytechnic
Hope this helps.
i studying M L T (Medical lab technician) along with my bridge course (biology,physics,and chemistry) am i eligible for neet ? how much percentage should i get in bbridge course ?
Hello
The NEET- National Eligibility Enterance Test which is conducted by NTA-National Testing Agency, The eligibility criteria for NEET UG Examination is candidate must have passed their 10+2 qualification with equivalent board with subjects like Physics, chemistry, Biology/ Biotechnology and English core subjects with at scored 50%.
The minimum age is for students is 17 and maximum age is 25 required for NEET UG Examination which is already held on 17th July on Sunday.
i want to do bsc in medical lab technician can i get the fee reambursment in ap
Hey student,
Yes, there is a fee reimbursement scheme for degree students in Andhra Pradesh state under the Jagananna Vidya Deevena scheme
All the best student,
Hope this helps you.
For more information click the link below-
https://www.careers360.com/courses/b-sc-bachelor-of-science/amp
gud afternoon mam, can I get a government seat in AIFSET ..ALRAEDY I HAVE COMPLETED TO 10+2 AFTER DMLT (DIPLOMA IN MEDICAL LAB TECHNICIAN) I AM ELIGIBLE TO STUDY FOR BSC FORENSIC SCIENCE IN GOVERNMENT QUOTA..
Dear student,
AIFSET is a National level entrance exam to give admission into B.Sc/ M.Sc in Forensic Science courses. AIFSET full form is All India Forensic Science Entrance Test. Yes, you'll be eligible if you meet the eligibility criteria of AIFSET.
AIFSET has 100 questions. Multi Choice Questions are asked. It is a offline exam. Qualifying cut-offs varies from year to year and category to category. So, it is difficult to give exact number for qualifying cut-off in AIFSET entrance exam.
B.Sc Forensic Science Eligibility Criteria: Candidates must have passed with minimum aggregate of 50 percentage in 10+2 or equivalent exam in science stream with Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics/ Biology subjects from a recognised Board.
Maximum number of attempts are 3.
May this information was useful to you.
All The Best!!
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