Diploma and BSc in Medical Lab Technician Course (MLT): Eligibility, Admission Process, Fee and Scope

Lab Technician course allows one to become an integral part of the healthcare system. In normal lives, many of us have had a blood test done at some point in life. It may have been for a routine checkup or due to some preventive healthcare. The ones who examine the blood samples are called Medical Lab Technicians. It is quite a popular role for students who are interested in laboratory tests and procedures. The most popular lab technician course after 12th is Bachelor’s degree (BSc) or a Diploma certification in Medical Lab Technology (MLT). Both the courses offer a promising career and a great opportunity for growth. However, the eligibility criteria, admission procedure, course curriculum and fee structure differ depending on the path you choose. This article will give you detailed information on both BSc in MLT and DMLT courses, so you can easily choose between the two. 

What is Medical Lab Technology?

Medical Lab Technology refers to the branch of science that uses clinical laboratory tests to diagnose, treat and prevent certain diseases. This involves a bunch of activities, like performing procedures to extract and analyze body fluid samples, examining the various body tissues, methods of sample acquisition and preparation, and their examination under the microscope. Candidates can embark on the pathway medical lab technician course after 12th.

What Does a Medical Lab Technician Do?

The job of a Medical Lab Technician is a highly intricate one. This includes:

• Pulling out body fluid samples, evaluating and analyzing those

• Assessing various blood cells and diagnosing the alterations or pathology therein

• Performing biochemistry tests measuring blood composition, enzymes, drugs, and hormone levels

• Carrying out blood grouping and cross-matching in the event of a trauma or emergency

• Performing microbiological identification of different pathogens that affect the human body, including various bacteria, viruses, and other infectious pathogens

Benefits of becoming a Lab technician

Lab technician is a vital part of the healthcare ecosystem. They are the ones responsible to analyze tissues and fluids to detect diseases. Pursuing a lab technician course prepares aspirants to help diagnose and treat several medical conditions. Many students prefer studying for the lab technician course after 12th. Here are the top 3 reasons why one should opt for becoming a lab technician.

• Flexibility in Working

Lab technician has the right to work at hospitals, long-term care facilities, clinics, laboratories, and more. A medical lab technician course graduate get the option to work where they wish to.

• “Behind-the-Scenes” Working Style

Those who are shy or don’t want to face the patients directly can work as a lab technician. This not only gives you the freedom to stay true to nature but also makes you feel inclusive at the same time.

• Fast Growth

Medical lab technicians are thriving all across the country. Owing to the pandemic, people have become more vigilant towards taking care of their health. There is a surge in demand for lab technicians. So, it is safe to say that the growth in the future will be exponential. Aspirants must pursue lab technician course after 12th to get the best outcomes.

Diploma and BSc in MLT: An Overview

A Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology (DMLT) is a 2-year full-time undergraduate program that covers subjects on the diagnosis and treatment of patients through the use of laboratory equipment. The lab technician course is designed to provide students with the knowledge and technical skills, and also offer hands-on training on how to carry out medical tests with accuracy. 

A Bachelor’s degree in Medical Lab Technology (BSc in MLT), on the other hand, is a 3-year undergraduate program covering more or less the same areas as covered in DMLT. Additionally, students pursuing this degree are taught to gather and test samples and prepare a detailed report for further investigation. If you choose to go for a BSc in MLT instead of a Diploma certificate, you will have better scope for career growth. After the completion of your Bachelor’s degree, you may be hired by the leading pharmaceutical companies or hospitals. 

DMLT and BSc in MLT: Eligibility Criteria

Students looking to pursue a Diploma in Medical Lab Technology (DMLT) must fulfill the following eligibility criteria:

• The candidate must be at least 17 years of age

• The candidate must have passed (10+2) with at least 45% aggregate marks from a recognized Board or equivalent

• The aspirant must have studied core Science subjects, like Physics, Chemistry and Biology in the 12th Grade

Candidates must meet the below lab technician qualification to get admission into lab technician course after 12th:

• The aspirant must have passed (10+2) from a recognized Board or equivalent

• The aspirant must have secured at least 50% aggregate marks in the (10+2) level (the required minimum aggregate for ST/SC/OBC candidates is 45%)

• The candidate must have studied Chemistry, Physics, Biology and Mathematics as core subjects in the 12th Grade

Diploma and BSc in Medical Lab Technician Course: Admission Procedure

Admission to a DMLT course is typically merit-based. Many colleges and institutes consider the marks obtained in Science subjects in the (10+2) examination.

The majority of the medical colleges in India offer admission to the 3-year Undergraduate BSc MLT program based on the scores secured in an entrance test score. Candidates may be asked to sit for a University or State-level entrance exam depending on the college’s admission policy. Look below for a list of popular entrance exams for BSc in lab technician course after 12th:

• NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test)

• KEAM (Kerala Architecture Engineering Medical) Entrance Exam

• MET (Manipal Entrance Test)

• Jamia Hamdard Entrance Test

• AP EAMCET (Andhra Pradesh Engineering Agricultural and Medical Common Entrance Test)

Entrance-based BSc Medical Lab Technician Course after 12th

• Following the entrance exam, the administering body will publish a provisional merit list featuring the names of all the candidates along with their ranks and scores.

• The next step involves the counselling process to allot seats to eligible candidates. Each candidate will be called for the counselling round basis their scores and ranks. 

• Candidates can choose their preferred college at the counselling centre

• Admission to BSc MLT courses will be offered purely on the basis of the scores and ranks obtained in the entrance test, the preferred college and the availability of seats.

Merit-based BSc Medical Lab Technology Admission

• Before the selection of candidates for admission to the BSc MLT program, the medical colleges/institutes will publish the provisional merit list comprising the names and ranks of the candidates based on calculations of their (10+2) academic records.

• Following this, candidates will be called for counselling where each of them will be allowed to choose the course as per their choice

• Based on the candidate’s rank on the merit list, the college and course of preference, and intake capacity, admission will be offered

Note: Each of the colleges has its own defined admission processes, which may include direct admission to the courses. Therefore, it is necessary for you, as an aspirant to go through the admission policy of each individual college prior to applying for admission.

Also Read: How to Choose the Right Paramedical Specialisation After Class 12th?

BSc and Diploma in MLT: Highlights 

The above information is tabulated below for reference:

DMLT and BSc in MLT: Core Subjects and Course Curriculum 

Whether you are opting for a Diploma or a Bachelor’s degree in Medical Lab Technology, a little sneak peek into the main subjects and course curriculum will help you understand what these programs deal with. Here is the semester-wise break-up of the syllabus for both the medical lab technician courses:

Top Colleges Offering Diploma/BSc in Medical Lab Technology

Many colleges offer Media Lab Technology courses in India at Diploma or BSc levels. There is not much difference as far as the annual fee of Diploma or BSc in MLT course is concerned. The annual fees which are payable at the beginning of each year mostly range from INR 50,000 to INR 1 lakh. Private institutes generally have a higher fee for the MLT courses.

The best institutes for MLT course after 12th include some of the top private and government institutes, such as the following:

Diploma in MLT & BSc in MLT: Career Prospects, Salary Structure and Growth in India

In India, there are a whole lot of employment opportunities for Medical Laboratory Technicians to explore, depending on their areas of specialization.

The general salary package of a medical lab technician generally starts from INR 2 lakh per annum and can go up to INR 5 lakh per annum. However, the salary package can soar higher than if the candidate gets hired by pharmaceutical companies. 

Some of the most rewarding job roles in the field along with the average salary structure are tabulated below:

Top Recruiters in India After DMLT/BSc MLT

The students who study Medical Lab Technology (MLT) generally are recruited by the top hospitals as Medical Lab Technicians and Technologists. Some leading Pharmaceutical companies and hospitals may also recruit candidates in this role.

The top recruiters across India include names, like:

• Forensic Science Laboratory

• All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)

• Batra Hospital and Medical Research Centre

• Apollo

• Manipal Hospital

• Columbia Asia Referral Hospital

• Lilavati Hospital

• Fortis

• Cactus Global 

• Paramount Health Services

• Ranbaxy

• Amway

• Sun Pharma 

• Mankind

Also Read: Admission in UG Optometry Course in Maharashtra

Skillset Required for Medical Laboratory Technology

A course on Medical Laboratory Technology is suitable for those who have an eye for detail and are comfortable working with body fluids. As you know, the job involves sample collections, testing, storing, analyzing and preparing reports – all of which demand precision and dedication. However, this kind of work can be performed smoothly if an individual has the following necessary skillset:

• Communication: In this field, one must have good communication skills to be able to understand information (both verbal and written) and clearly communicate the same to the patient.  

• Reasoning and Problem-Solving Abilities: As a Medical Laboratory Technologist, one should be able to analyze ideas and logic and determine their strengths, collate information to draw relevant conclusions, and make use of reasoning to discover solutions to problems.

• Proficiency in Science and Mathematics: The work involved in this field requires the use of scientific problem-solving methods and mathematical formulas to perform quick, accurate calculations.

• Time Management: Numerous samples may sometimes pile up awaiting tests. This may increase the workload and make it difficult to cope with unless one has good time management skills, and the ability to prioritize work. 

• Working with People: A person working as a Medical Laboratory Technician/Technologist must be skilled in teaching others about performing lab procedures, understand the reactions of others and constantly look for ways to assist others. 

People who have a niche for working in the medical and healthcare sector but not as a doctor can choose to work as lab technicians. A lab technician's job is challenging and interesting as well, as he/she not only works with patience but is also seen as an inseparable part of the scientific research in medical colleges as well.

Easy Application to Top Diploma/BSc in MLT Colleges in India

If you are interested in taking admission to any one of the Diploma or BSc in Medical Lab Technology courses offered across India then fill out our Common Application Form available on the CollegeDekho website. Our education experts will guide you through the entire admission process. For further queries, call us at 1800-572-877

For more such informative articles and the latest updates in the field of medical/paramedical/nursing courses in India, stay tuned to CollegeDekho!

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