MLT Course
Medical science and technology are evolving and improving healthcare services worldwide. As a result, the healthcare industry's demand for lab technicians and technologists is also increasing.
Most lab technicians work in healthcare settings, including nursing homes, hospitals, diagnostic centers, doctor’s chambers, etc. They perform different laboratory tests to diagnose and treat diseases.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of lab technicians and technologists will increase by 5% between 2022 and 2032 (Source). Those looking to make a career as a lab technician must pursue a medical lab technician course (medical lab technician full form: MLT). The course can be pursued at the diploma, undergraduate, or postgraduate levels.
This blog covers the medical lab technician subjects in detail, as well as the eligibility criteria and course fees for the medical lab technician course at the undergraduate level. Read on to learn more.
What is a Bachelor of Medical Lab Technician course?
The Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Technology (BMLT) course is an undergraduate degree program for students who want to train in various medical laboratory science and technology aspects.
The BMLT course curriculum offers theoretical knowledge and practical training skills so that students become fit to work in medical laboratories. After graduating, successful candidates can make careers as laboratory technologists, laboratory technicians, railway laboratory assistants, etc.
Medical Lab Technician Eligibility
To pursue the BMLT course, candidates must fulfill specific criteria. Aspiring candidates must check the minimum medical lab technician eligibility criteria before applying for the course. These are as follows:
- The applicant must be 17 years old on 31st December in the year of the application.
- The candidate must clear standard 12 exams or equivalent from a recognized institute/board.
- The candidate must have a minimum of 50% marks in Class 12 board exams.
- The candidate must have Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (PCB) as the core subjects in grades 11th and 12th.
- Candidates who have appeared for their 12th board exams can also apply for the BMLT course. However, they must produce original documents during the admission process.
Medical Lab Technician Course
- A candidate's 12th board exam marks are essential in BMLT course admission. Many institutes offer admission to BMLT courses directly based on these marks. Candidates fill out the application form and pay the fee for course enrolment.
- Many institutes conduct an entrance test for admission to the BMLT course. The performance in this entrance test and class 12 marks decide whether the candidate gets admission.
- CUET and NEET are the other prominent entrance exams that candidates take to pursue a medical lab technician course.
Medical Lab Technician Course Curriculum
The Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Technology course lasts three years and six semesters. It covers physiology, technology, and laboratory science subjects. Candidates who pursue the course can make great careers in medical laboratories in different settings, such as hospitals, nursing homes, diagnostic clinics, etc.
Following are the medical lab technician subjects in the BMLT course, semester-wise:
1st Year
- Semester 1
Candidates cover the following topics in Semester 1 of the BMLT course:
- Terminology and General Plan of the Body
- Cells
- Cardiovascular System
- Respiratory System
- Musculoskeletal System
- Special Senses
- Digestive System
- Nervous System
- Genitourinary System
- Semester 2
Here are the topics in Semester 2 of the BMLT course:
- Endocrine System
- Genitourinary System
- Cardiovascular System
- Digestive System
- Special Senses
- Nervous System
- Musculoskeletal System
- Respiratory System
2nd Year
- Semester 3
Let us take a look at the subjects in Semester 3 of the BMLT course:
- Mechanism of Coagulation
- Introduction and History of Pathology
- General Features of Acute and Chronic Inflammation
- Complete Blood Count
- Tissue Renewal and Repair
- Protein-Energy Malnutrition
- Introduction to Immunohaematology
- Haemoglobin
- Progressive Cancer
- Apheresis
- Semester 4
Following are the subjects in the 4th Semester of the BMLT course:
- Demonstration of Minerals and Pigments in Tissue Samples
- Staining of Carbohydrates
- Autoimmune Disorders
- Demonstration of Nucleic Acids
- Basic Principles of Blood Banking
- Other Blood Group Systems (e.g. Lewis)
- Transfusion-Transmissible Infectious Disease Screen
- Blood Components and Their Preparation
- Immunohistochemistry
3rd Year
- Semester 5
Here are the subjects candidates learn in the 5th semester of the BMLT course:
- Mechanism of Coagulation
- Introduction and History of Pathology
- General Features of Acute and Chronic Inflammation
- Complete Blood Count
- Tissue Renewal and Repair
- Protein-Energy Malnutrition
- Introduction to Immunohaematology
- Haemoglobin
- Progressive Cancer
- Semester 6
Following are the subjects candidates learn in Semester 6 of the BMLT course:
- Clinical Microbiology
- Diagnostic Cytopathology
- Advanced Techniques in Pathology
- Clinical Biochemistry
- Clinical Immunology
- Diagnostic Histopathology
- Research Methodology
- Clinical Hematology
- Seminar Presentation
Medical Lab Technician Course Fees
- Both government and private colleges offer the BMLT course. Around 14 government colleges and 75 private colleges in India offer this course.
- The course fee at the various government medical colleges offering BMLT courses is nominal. However, the private colleges offering BMLT courses charge between INR 2 lakhs and INR 5 lakhs.
Core industries and job profiles for Medical Lab Technicians
Once candidates complete their medical lab technician course, they can work in various industries and sectors. Most of these sectors are related directly to the medical field. Here are some core places where BMLT candidates have great scope for employment:
- Research and Development Centers
- Government and Private Hospitals
- Nursing Homes
- Diagnostic Centers
- Private and Government Laboratories
- Pharmaceutical Centers
- Blood Banks
There are different job profiles for candidates with the BMLT certification. Some of the most popular ones are as follows:
- R&D Lab Assistant
- Laboratory Manager
- Lab Technicians
- Assistant Professor
- Healthcare Administrators
- Railways Lab Assistant, etc.
Conclusion
Healthcare providers would only be able to handle the assistance of medical lab technicians. The healthcare and medical industries consider these professionals the backbone of their operations. As a result, the demand for medical lab technicians is high, with the increasing number of nursing homes, diagnostic centers, and hospitals.
Interested candidates can pursue a career in this field by enrolling in the ITM Institute of Health Sciences Bachelor of Science in Medical Lab Technology course. This Medical Lab Technician course has an internship scope, where candidates gather practical, hands-on experience before starting their careers.
Apply for the course immediately for a bright medical lab technology career!
Frequently Asked Questions
1) After completing BMLT, can I become a doctor?
You must complete an MBBS or MD in India to become a doctor. Completing the BMLT course does not make you a doctor. The medical lab technician course mainly focuses on diagnostics and medical laboratory technology.
2) Can I run and establish a diagnostic laboratory after completing the BMLT course?
With the BMLT certification, you can run and establish a diagnostic laboratory. However, you must have the necessary lab licenses, permissions, and a significant budget.
3) What is the average salary of a medical laboratory technician in India?
A medical laboratory technician earns an average salary of INR 2.7 LPA. Entry-level professionals earn about INR 1 LPA, while experienced ones earn around INR 3.0 LPA.
4) Can I pursue an MD after the BMLT course?
Interested candidates can pursue an MD in Pathology once they complete their BMLT course.
