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Medical Technology

Blood test, ECG, CT scan, X-ray, checking eye power - you name it and they do it!!

India is definitely not far behind. Sophisticated therapeutic and diagnostic equipment has been developed which aid the medical practitioner. This in turn accelerates the need for employing skilled technicians and other para-medical personnel. As Medical Technologists, you will work behind the scenes, but mind you, you will always form an unbreakable link in this profession (something to feel proud about!).

Medical Technologists

A medical practitioner stands nowhere without lab investigations that aid him in his diagnosis. Enter - lab technologists - who perform lab tests essential for detection, diagnosis and treatment of a disease. These tests and analyses are conducted in pathology, biochemistry, and microbiology labs with the help of state of the art medical equipment. These guys are trained to carry out pathological investigations from blood count smear to blood grouping, preparing vaccines, examining tissue samples, and testing urine and stool (and lots more...). Apart from this, they operate electrocardiograms too.

Radiography, Radiotherapy & Radiation machine Technicians

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Next come the Radiographers who specialize in X-ray Technology or as Radiotherapy technicians. These guys work with Radiologists, Ultrasonologists, doing routine work - taking X-rays, CT Scans, MR Scans of patients (we’re talking lots of heavy equipment!). They are also of assistance to Radiologists in radiological investigations. And that’s not all - they give radiation to cancer patients as and when the Radiotherapist advises.

Ophthalmic Technologist

Anything troubling your eye and off you run to an optometrist (one of his many names!) who is trained to conduct tests for checking your eye power and fabricating lenses for your spectacles (if the need arises!). These guys are also trained to prescribe contact lens and fit power glasses in frames.

You areas of employment will be the diagnostic labs of hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, private labs, and research centres. Your work will generally be time bound (so you have to be ready for work pressure at fixed hours!). Besides this, the work environment is always spick and span (and well organised!). This job carries with it, lots of personal satisfaction (not to forget the monetary gain!!).

If this is the field you have chosen to make your mark in - look below to see if you are fit in all respects -

A scientific bent of mind is what you should possess, if a Medical Technologist is what you want to be. Since you will be handling a whole lot of really expensive and sophisticated equipment, precision, accuracy and meticulousness will have to be your strong points. Your job will require you to work in and as a part of a team, be responsible, maintain records, and above all make correct observations (who knows, someone’s life may depend on it!).

I hope you are not forgetting that you need to fulfill certain educational requirements too (ie. after the physical and mental prerequisites are fulfilled) -
A 3-year B.Sc. Course in areas such as Medical Technology, Radiography, Medical Ophthalmic Technology, Medical Technology Radiotherapy, Medical Laboratory Technology is essential to make your grand entry.

If this sounds too far fetched - don’t lose hope! Remember! There is always an alternative.

Several institutes impart training in Medical Technology after 10+2 in almost all the states. Leading institutes that take students on an All India basis conduct written tests and interviews. If you wish to walk the corridors of AIIMS, Delhi (or any such prestigious institute) remember to slog hard ‘coz the seats per institute are very few.

Not even a single day goes by when we do not hear about accidents, injuries, handicaps and impairments (sad but true!). All this leads to the consciousness for the use of therapeutic and remedial procedures. This is turn will give rise to the demand for paramedical staff (the coming decades will bear a witness to this!)

All this aside - you budding professionals need never fear. As the population toucheth the billion mark and the need for professionals rises proportionately, thou shalt all have secure jobs!!