Opportunities in Government Sector After Medical Lab Technician Course

The government has now started identifying and training over 1,17,000 people for various healthcare roles which include — general duty assistants, emergency medical technicians, home healthcare-aid and medical equipment maintenance professionals, and medical laboratory technicians.

The council set up by the National Skill Development Corporation, has tied up with 400 training partners to prepare abridged courses comprising a three-week classroom program, followed by three months of on-the-job training for over 1 lakh healthcare workers.

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• One can join the allied healthcare workforce and serve the community after completing one of the numerous courses listed such as Diploma in Hospital Administration (DHA), Diploma in Medical Lab Technology (DMLT), Diploma in Medical Imaging Technology (DMIT), Diploma in Operation Theatre Technology (DOTT) and many more paramedical courses that are equally worthwhile.
• As this pandemic has got the world au courant with Medical Laboratory Technicians (MLT) who have been tirelessly conducting detailed medical laboratory testing including the COVID-19 RT-PCR tests along with the routine glucose, cholesterol tests, and so on, these behind the scene technicians have become our frontline warriors today.
• MLTs are currently carrying out up to 70 per cent of patients’ laboratory testing enabling the physicians to provide an accurate diagnosis and plan their treatment.
• A study concluded that 94 per cent of the objective medical data in the patient record comes from medical laboratory technicians.
• To see yourself as a health professional involved in diagnosing, facilitating treatment, and helping prevent diseases through the use of clinical laboratory tests, you can choose to enrol yourself in one of the following:

1. Diploma in Medical Lab Technology (DMLT) is a one-year program and includes five months of internship.
2. Advanced Diploma in Medical Lab Technology (ADMLT) is a two-year program and includes 6 months of internship.
3. Bachelors in Medical Lab Technology (BMLT) which is a three-year program with six months to one year of internship.

To be a part of the above-mentioned programs, one must meet the eligibility criteria of having passed class 12 with at least 50% score in Biology, Physics, and Chemistry as main subjects from a recognized board/university.

The McKinsey Global Institute reports that the post-COVID net employment change 2018-2030 for health professionals will be a whopping 112 percent.

The advent of health emergencies like COVID-19 has highlighted the role of laboratory technicians as well as other health professionals.

• Recruitment in the health sector has already seen an increase of 29% in 2021 as compared to 2020.
• The Indian government too has been actively taking measures and for the first time has added a chapter on health in the 15th Financial Commission Report, and suggested some short-term resolutions to meet the increasing demand for doctors and paramedical professionals.
• The open vacancies for healthcare staff on a contract basis are also on a rise.
• The government is also taking initiatives to bridge the supply-demand gap of doctors and paramedics in rural areas.
• There are several states which have already started lateral recruitment drives for medical and paramedical staff.
• Some states have also initiated health sector skilling programs to generate a skilled workforce and are ensuring quality healthcare for all citizens through their various schemes.
• Steps have been taken by the government to let health sector entities like hospitals, diagnostic labs, etc., borrow loans at lower interest rates, thus increasing investments in this sector.

MLT play the critical role of a doctor’s doctor in a healthcare facility without whom appropriate care arrangements for a patient’s treatment can not be planned as the MLT is essential for the confirmation of a clinical diagnosis.

• With knowledge and experience, a medical lab technician can also work as a:

1. Lab manager
2. Consultant
3. Healthcare administrative supervisor
4. Hospital outreach coordinator
5. Lab information system consultant
6. Education consultant

• Medical Lab technologists can find placements in public health centres -PHC, either under the central or the state government.
• There are job opportunities available in Northern Railways, Employees’ State Insurance Corporation, Central Government Health Scheme-the Ministry of Health And Family Welfare.
• You can apply as a staff lab technician in various government-run medical colleges/institute.
• There are placement opportunities for lab technicians in government aided treatment research centres too.
• The AIDS control societies of various states hire lab technicians.
• There are openings for Laboratory Technicians under the ECHS-Ex Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme.
• Laboratory Supervisors are employed under the National Health Mission Schemes in various states.

Virohan Institute of Health and Management Sciences, an NSDC partner, offers several such paramedical programs including both certificate, diploma, and advanced diploma programs.

At Virohan, we train our students in employable and technical skills as per the industry demand which gives a head start to their professional journeys. We also include soft skills in our programs to ensure they have progressive careers. We provide exposure to the latest technology and machinery through our exclusive partnerships with global organizations, ensuring the students are fully prepared to take on their roles as medical lab technicians.