After class 12, a medical student can pursue a course to become a Lab Technician and get a placement in a clinic, laboratory or hospital. There are various courses for Lab technicians and here, we have compiled an extensive list of Lab technician courses. Students can opt for a Diploma or degree course to become a certified lab technician.
In this article, read all about the work of a Lab Technician, how to become a Lab Technician, Eligibility, Duration, Course, Fees, Salary, Job Prospects and types of government jobs.
Who is a Lab Technician?
A Lab Technician is a professional who works for the laboratory of healthcare, education and research industries. The skilled technician is trained to analyze samples using various tools and techniques to produce a result. They have experience in various fields such as medicine, biology, geology, electronics, engineering, etc.
A Lab Technician is an assistant in laboratories, colleges, universities, hospitals, blood banks, etc.are given a salary of around INR 8,000 to 16,000 per month.
Admission in institutes/universities/colleges is given on the basis of merit. For a Master’s degree and Bachelor’s degree course, some universities or colleges might take in candidates through a written test.
What is the work of a Lab Technician?
A Lab Assistant or Technician works to assist a Medical Laboratory by collecting and analyzing samples to perform tests with the help of various tools and techniques. He/ She further records the findings for results. Lab Technician practices in hospitals, labs, clinics, public health facilities, etc. The analysis is used for research works, inventions, discoveries also. There are two profiles in Medical Lab Technology: Technologist and Technician. Lab Assistant also works for universities/colleges, etc.
Technologists are the highly-trained specialists who perform the detailed analysis. Whereas, Technicians work under the supervision of technologists.
Specific work areas where the lab technicians work:
- Urine Analysis
- Blood banking
- Immunology
- Microbiology
- Clinical Chemistry
- Parasitology
- Drug Efficacy Test
- Serology
- Cytotechnology
- Coagulation
- Phlebotomy
- Haematology
How to become a Lab Technician?
There are several types of courses available to become a successful Lab Technician at Certificate/Diploma, Graduate and Postgraduate level. A Certificate program is nearly 15 – 18 months duration, whereas a bit elaborative course, Associate degree, is of 2 years duration. For the Diploma course, the duration of the course is 2 years. In order to complete the Bachelor’s in Medical Laboratory Technology, a candidate needs to study for a good 3 years. For the Postgraduate course, the candidate will take 2 years to complete the course. For PG Diploma, the course duration is 1 year.
Eligibility Criteria & Duration
A candidate must have passed 12th class from Science Stream with a minimum of 55% marks from a recognized board.
Duration –
Diploma Courses – 1 year
Bachelor’s degree – 3 years
Master’s degree – 2 years
Postgraduate Diploma – 1 year
Course & Fees – Diploma, Graduate and Postgraduate
| Course Name | Fees (Approx.) |
| Diploma Courses | |
| Diploma in Clinical Analysis | INR 1 lakh per annum |
| Diploma in Cardiovascular Technician | INR 1.06 lakhs per annum |
| Diploma in Medical Imaging Technology | INR 1 lakh per annum |
| Diploma in Medical Record Technology | INR 1 lakh per annum |
| Diploma in X Ray and ECG Technology | INR 2 – 3 lakhs |
| Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology | INR 1.02 lakhs per annum |
| Diploma in Clinical Laboratory Technician | INR 2 lakhs |
| Diploma in EEG Laboratory Technician | INR 1 lakh per annum |
| Graduate Courses – Bachelor’s degree | |
| Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Technology (BMLT) | INR 2 – 5 lakhs |
| B.Sc. in Medical Laboratory Technology | INR 50,000 – 2 lakhs |
| B.Sc. in Medical Imaging Technology | INR 2 – 4 lakhs |
| B.Sc. in Clinical Laboratory Technician | INR 1 lakh – 4 lakhs |
| Postgraduate Courses – Master’s degree | |
| Postgraduate Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology | INR 25,000 – 7 lakhs |
| Postgraduate Diploma in Laboratory Services in Science | INR 20,000 – 5 lakhs |
| Postgraduate Diploma in Biomedical Laboratory Technology (PGDBLT) | INR 30,000 – 7 lakhs |
| M.Sc. in Medical Imaging Technology | INR 10,000 – 2 lakhs |
| M.Sc. in Medical Laboratory Technology | INR 30,000 – 1 lakh |
Top Institutes for Lab Technician Courses in India
- Chandigarh University, Chandigarh
- Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar
- Delhi Paramedical and Management Institute, Delhi
- NIMS University, Jaipur
- Sharda University, Noida
- ITM University, Raipur
- Uttaranchal (PG) College of Biomedical Sciences and Hospital, Dehradun
- Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai
- ITC Vocational University, Vadodara
- Goutham College, Bangalore
Types of Jobs in Government
In India, Lab Assistants are hired by Central Government and State Government-owned Universities, Colleges, Autonomous Institutes, Research Institutes, Technical Institute, Agriculture Research Institute, etc. Lab Assistant is appointed in the post of ‘Group D’ personnel.
The duty of the Lab Assistant is to manage, maintain and handle the laboratory to help students, keep the records and assist Professor or Lecturer for their works in Laboratory.
Eligibility for Government Job:
A candidate must have qualified 12th class in science stream from a recognized board. Candidate with work experience in college/university is a plus point and he/she must have a thorough knowledge of the scientific instrument.
Age Limit:
A candidate must be of the age between 18 years to 25 years. The upper age limit is 27 years and 30 years according to different institutes. Relaxation is given to SC/ST/PwD candidates.
Selection Process:
Selection is done on the basis of academic records, written test, Personal Interview and efficiency in handling lab work.
Salary:
Candidates who will be appointed as Lab Assistant will be given salary according to Pay Band 1 between INR 5,200 to 20,200 as per Seventh Pay Commission.
Lab Technician Job Opportunities & Salary
Lab Technicians are given opportunities to work in research institutes, colleges, universities, private and government laboratories, hospitals, nursing homes, blood banks, etc. There are different types of areas where medical lab technicians can work. Apart from the above-mentioned areas, lab technicians can also work for X-Ray lab, dental labs, emergency workers, surgery department, pharmacy, etc.
Multiple Job Prospects are:
- Medical Technician
- Medical Technologist
- QC Manager
- Lab Consultant
- Lab Supervisor
- Laboratory Incharge
- Coordinator
- Laboratory Manager
- CT Scan Technician
- MRI Technician
- X-Ray Technician
- Dental Mechanics
- Operation Theatre Technician
- Sleep Laboratory Technician
- Renal Dialysis Technician
- Radiology Technician
- Physiotherapy Technician
- Laboratory Information System Analyst
- Healthcare Administrator
- Health and Safety Officer
Salary:
Lab Technicians get an average salary of INR 8,000 to 16,000 per month. In the case of a government job, the salary will be based on the seventh pay commission. In case of experience, the candidate can get a salary up to INR 20,000 to 25,000. In the case of Postgraduate, the candidate has a chance of getting a salary of around INR 6 lakhs per year.
Keep Learning:
RIMS Imphal B.Sc. in Medical Radiology and Imaging Technology
BLDE University B.Sc. Medical Imaging Technology Admission
TMC Tata Memorial Hospital Advanced Diploma in Radiotherapy Technology Admission
PGIMER Chandigarh MLT and M.Sc. Admission