The continuous expansion of the health care industry brings a more demand for trained Paramedical Professionals. Indian Institute of Medical Technology offers courses in paramedical education including diploma courses such in Pharmacy, Nursing, Physiotherapy, Occupational therapy, Audio logy and speech therapy, Dental hygienist and Dental mechanics, Medical laboratory technology, Radiology/X-Ray technology, Operation theatre assistant, Optometry and Ophthalmic assistant and apart from other miscellaneous job oriented courses. These courses are offered through correspondence as well as full time classes.
Pharmacy: A career in pharmacy is always lucrative. The increasing number of hospitals, nursing homes and pharmaceutical companies all over the country is a clear indication of the growing scope in this sector. Apart from the compulsory qualification of B.Pharm. to open a pharmacy, pharmacists (M.Pharm, PhD) can be employed in research work to develop new useful drugs in laboratories and in production work in pharmaceutical industry. A pharmacist’s job is to prepare, mix, compound, or dispense drugs and medicines, ointments, powders, pills, tablets and injections on the prescription of a medical practitioner, dentist or veterinarian. A pharmacy graduate is also eligible to teach as lecturer in pharmacy colleges.
Eligibility: For the three main courses in pharmacy the elgibility criteria is as follows;
D.Pharm. (Diploma in Pharmacy): A candidate should have passed 10+2 pre university course exam or its equivalent with physics, chemistry and biology or mathematics. This course stretches over one year.
B.Pharm. (Bachelor in Pharmacy): A candidate should have passed 10+2 pre university course or its equivalent with 50% aggregate in physics, chemistry, biology or mathematics. Alternately, the candidate should have passed D.Pharm. The entrance examination is conducted with the approval of Pharmacy Council of India. Duration of the course is four years.
M.Pharm. (Master in Pharmacy): B.Pharm with at least 60% marks from recognized university / institute (AICTE / PCI approved). B.Pharm degree holders are eligible for admission; also all who have passed GATE exam are eligible. Duration of the course is 18 months. Pharmacy teachers with B.Pharm and a minimum five years of teaching experience in any institution approved by AICTE are also eligible for M.Pharm course.
Personal attributes: A successful pharmacist must have an ability to put in hard work, strong logical thinking , patience, sense of responsibility, strong analytical abilities and pleasing personality, energetic and result oriented, good communication skill, good command on English and local language.
Career prospects: A pharmacy graduate has good prospects as a medical representative. Also there are good prospects in teaching and in research and development. A pharmacist can also find employment as hospital pharmacist. Candidates with a D.Pharm. are employed as pharmacist in government or private hospitals or they can start their own pharmacy.
B.Pharm graduates can work as medical representative or medical detailing man, marketing manager or sales manager, drug inspectors, and as drug controllers. Also, M.Pharm degree holders can lecture at B.Pharm colleges, or work as research assistant.
Remuneration:
The average starting salary for pharmacist is around Rs.4000/-, while a medical representative starts at around Rs. 5000/-. A manufacturing pharmacist gets Rs. 5000/- while a hospital pharmacist starts at Rs. 3000/-, and a research scientist draws around Rs. 10,000/-. The government pays a pharmacist around Rs 1500/- (basic), in addition o provident fund and other allowances like DA etc. as per government rules.
Nursing: The most well-known paramedic profession is nursing. The profession of caring and nursing the sick, it is a vital component of medical care. In the hospital, from general ward to the operation theatre, nursing is the most important component of patient care. Nursing is an essential component of the healthcare system.
Eligibility: For nursing courses like B.Sc. in nursing, eligibility is a 10+2 with biology, physics and chemistry. The course duration is three to four years.
For masters like M.Sc(Nursing) a B.Sc.(Nursing) degree is the eligibility. The course duration is two years. For General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM), a 10+2 with biology, physics and chemistry is the eligibility criteria. The course duration is three years and six months. For Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM), and for Health Worker (female), the minimum qualification is class X pass. Duration of the course is 18 months.
The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) offers a B.Sc. in nursing by correspondence.
Personal attribute: The nursing profession requires tremendous patience, responsibility and dedication. This job needs an alert mind, team spirit, and compassion. Apart from all these one must have a pleasant smiling face whatever be the situation.
Career prospects: Nursing has wide employment prospects in hospitals, clinics and health department, military, schools, in training institutes as teachers and in research.
Hospital nurses: In hospitals nurses are usually assigned to any special area of work such as surgery, maternity, intensive care etc.
Military nursing: These provide health care services in the armed forces.
Education: This area of training combines nursing with the teaching of students of nursing and administration of educational programmes.
Clinical nurse specialist: This means an expert nurse in a specialty area.
Nurse Managers: These manage staff and financial resources in a department or across an entire hospital or health service.
Nurse Educators: These conduct educational and staff development programs
Nurse Researcher: These conduct research into nursing issues.
Remuneration: Salary of nurses depends upon their seniority. Government employed nurses receive from upward of Rs. 6500/-. Private nurses have a fixed daily fee. Midwives receive above Rs.4000/-, plus a fixed amount per birth registered. A health worker receives around Rs.1000/-.
Physiotherapy: The discipline of physiotherapy is defined as the assessment, evaluation and treatment of physical disability, pain resulting from injury, disease or other health related problems. The professionally trained person who administers this treatment is known as a physiotherapist. A physiotherapist treats cases such as fracture, dislocation, amputation, nerve injuries, heart and chest conditions, skin conditions, muscular diseases, burns, plastic surgery etc.
Eligibility: The basic eligibility for a course in physiotherapy is 10+2 passed or equivalent examination with Physics, Chemistry, Biology and English. At least 50% of marks should be secured in each of these subjects. Age limit for the candidate is 17 years. To become a practicing physiotherapist in a hospital or clinic a B.Sc. degree or diploma in the discipline is necessary. Admission to this course is on basis of performance in the Common Entrance Test (CET), for the course in Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT). There are both degree level and short term courses available in physiotherapy but not are officially recognized. Degree level course in physiotherapy generally range from 3 to 4 years, while short-term courses may be range three months to a year. For Master of Physiotherapy (MPT), eligibility is 50% aggregate in all years of BPT or B.Sc. Duration of the course is three and half year.
Personal attributes: To be a good physiotherapist one needs analytical and logical reasoning skill, ability to recall and memorize scientific facts, physical stamina to work long and irregular hours, patience, cool temperament, team spirit, good observation power, understanding of people, and an ability to inspire confidence in the patient.
Career prospects: Physiotherapist are employed in rehabilitation /orthopedic departments of hospitals under the central state governments, municipal corporations and private bodies. Like all other medical and paramedical professionals physiotherapist can work in hospitals, orthopedic departments, schools for mentally retarded and physically disabled children, health institutions and defense medical establishments. In a senior position like senior physiotherapist, supervisor of physical therapy, superintendent of physiotherapy in government hospital and as demonstrators, lecturers, assistant professors, and associate professors in medical colleges.
Remuneration: Salary of physiotherapist in government hospitals start at Rs. 3000/-. Private hospitals offer starting salary of around Rs. 7500/- onwards. Salary for private practitioners can touch Rs. 20,000/-. After an experience of around five years a physiotherapist could start private practice charging Rs. 250/- to 400/- per sitting.
Occupational therapy: This is a challenging career which focuses on helping individuals with mental or physical illness / disability to come back to normalcy. Occupational therapist uses various methods in the treatment of their patients to assist them in maximum recovery and becoming normal after a prolonged disabling illness. This type of therapy is patient specific, involving recreational, creative or educational activities.
Eligibility: Admission for this course requires a minimum 10+2 with physics, chemistry, and math. The duration of the course is two to three years & post graduates specialization may consist of two to one year. Some institutions may opt for an entrance examination and may select candidate on the basis of performance in the entrance test.
Personal attributes: An occupational therapist must have good communication skill, ability to work hard, a logical bent of mind and honesty towards the profession, team spirit, alertness of mind, and should be willing to work even at odd hours.
Career prospects: Occupational therapists are very much in demand. They work with the patients on various disorders such as orthopedic and neurological conditions, among others. More than one third of occupational therapist work part time. In schools they evaluate children’s ability and provide therapy. They also supervise adult day care, residential care and mental health care program.
Remuneration: A junior occupational therapist starts at Rs. 8500/- upward, but wages are higher the private sector.
Audiology and speech therapy: Hearing is a crucial for the acquisition and monitoring of language and speech. Audiology is the study of hearing disorders. These experts treat people who are unable to speak or hear clearly. Audiologist use audiometers and other testing device to measure the loudness at which a person begins to hear sound, the ability to distinguish between sounds and the nature and extent of hearing loss. Speech language therapist use special instruments as well as written and oral test to determine the nature and extent of impairment and to record and analyze speech disorders.
Eligibility: Admission to courses in this field start at the graduate level itself. All that is required is a science background at the school level. A three-year B.Sc. course in speech therapy and audiology may be pursued. For specialization in a particular area, a Masters course after graduation is available.
Personal attribute: It is essential that audiologists and speech therapist should themselves have clear speech with a keen ear, cool and calm temperament, ability to gain the patients confidence, pleasant voice, and understand patient psychology.
Career prospects: Employment opportunities exist in hospitals, schools, community health and welfare centers, private practice and even in industry ( to monitor the effect of noise pollution). Postgraduate qualifications will fetch a teaching job or research positions. Audiologists are more likely to be employed in independent healthcare offices, while speech pathologists are more likely to work in a school setting.
Remuneration: Salaries start from Rs. 4000/- onwards, depending upon the responsibility handled and academic qualifications.
Dental Hygienist / Mechanic: A dental hygienist assists dentists in treating patients. Dental hygienists are trained to perform the specific clinical procedures that aim to prevent dental disease and work under the supervision of a dentist. The basic job of a dental mechanic is making and repairing artificial teeth and straightening of teeth. He also performs the job of filling cavities. Dental hygienist work to educate and counsel children and adults on dental health, plaque control, oral hygiene and nutrition, remove deposits and stains from teeth by scaling. They also assist in the prevention and control of dental caries (decay) and gum disease. They also expose and process dental X-rays, apply and remove periodontal packs, and advise the patient on how to look after the teeth and mouth after operations.
Eligibility: Passed 10+2 with 50% marks in PCB. Duration of the course is two years.
Personal attributes: One should have the ability to perform precise and detailed work, good communication skill and being able to work as part of a team.
Career prospects: Dental hygienist and mechanic get jobs in dental department of hospitals (government/private), institutions doing dental research.
Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT): Medical laboratory technologists examine and analyze body fluids, tissues, blood typing, microorganism, screening, chemical analyses, cell counts etc. of the human body. They play an important role in collecting the information needed for treating most pathology by sampling, testing, analyzing and reporting such investigations.
Eligibility: For Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Technology (BMLT) eligibility is 10+2 in science and duration of the course is three years. Eligibility for Diploma in Medical Technology (DMLT) is 10+2 or equivalent examination from a recognized university or board. Duration of the course is two years. Some other courses available for lab technician need 10+2 eligibility. Colleges, universities as well as hospitals offer most of these courses.
Personal attributes: Qualities required for lab technician/ technologist is the ability to conduct research, to handle stress, make analytical judgment, interpret technical/ scientific data, knowledge of laboratory instrumentation, mechanical ability and the ability to use computers.
Career prospects: A technician may find job in a hospital, minor emergency centers, private laboratory, blood donor center, doctor’s office or clinics etc. A technologist can advance to supervisory or management position in pathology labs and hospitals. They can also work as laboratory manager, consultant, or supervisor in health care administration.
Remuneration: A lab technician starts with a salary of Rs.6500/- in any hospital or clinic.
Radiology and X-Ray technology: Radiographers produce x-ray films of parts of the human body used in diagnosing medical problems. They conduct the x-raying of the patient’s body, make the exposure, and then develop the x-ray film. Experienced radiologist can perform more complex imaging tests. A postgraduate radiologist normally interprets the x-rays.
Eligibility: Passed 12th class of 10+2 system with physics, chemistry, biology and English securing minimum 50% marks for a two year certificate or diploma in x-ray technology done from a recognized university / institute with minimum 50% marks. Many university and colleges conduct this course.
Personal attributes: An ability to work accurately, lots of physical stamina, team spirit, understanding approach, and the knowledge of how to operate special equipments which are required in this technology.
Career prospects: Employment prospects for radiographers are good, both within the country as well as abroad. Increase in health services’ demand more radiographers in nursing homes, hospitals, diagnostic centers as well as superspeciality hospitals. With adequate qualifications jobs like CT technologist, MRI technologist, radiation oncologist, radiation therapist, and sonographer are available.
Optometry/ ophthalmic assistant: Optometry is the science of making eye equipment (including lenses and spectacles), which improve vision of the human eye. Optometry is among the top ten income earning profession in the country today. An ophthalmic assistant helps ophthalmologist in treating eye ailments.
Eligibility: Admission to these courses (B.Optom), require a minimum eligibility of 10+2 or its equivalent with minimum 50% marks in physics, chemistry, biology or maths and English. To practice as an optometrist it is essential to have a bachelor degree in optometry.
Career prospects: There is plenty of scope for private clinics, optical shop, lens manufacturing unit etc. Qualified graduates can also get jobs in optician shops and hospitals, and teach in school of optometry, work for eye testing center, on contact lenses, squint exercise etc. for eye doctors. There is plenty of employment in the ophthalmic and contact lens industry.
Remuneration: Optometry jobs have lucrative prospects depending on qualification and experience.
Rehabilitation: The period of rehabilitation forms an important phase in any medical treatment. Rehabilitation therapist play an important role in restoring normalcy to the patient. Where the rehabilitation takes place varies according to the person’s needs. Care in a hospital or rehabilitation center may be necessary for people with severe disabilities. In such settings, a rehabilitation team provides care. Along with the doctor or therapist, this team may include nurses, psychologists, social workers, other health care practitioners, and family members.
Eligibility: The Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI), regulates and monitors the training of professionals and personnel in this field. All institutions conducting training courses in rehabilitation are required to be recognized by RCI. There are different courses in this field such as: Bachelor of audiology and speech therapy, Bachelor of mental retardation, Diploma in Special Education (Hearing Impaired) DSE (HI), Diploma in Hearing Language and Speech (DHLS), B.Sc.and M.Sc.in speech and hearing etc. Eligibility is 10+2 in PCB with minimum 50% marks from any recognized university/institute.
Personal attributes: Aspirants should have capacity and willingness to work hard, a cool and calm temperament and dedication.
Career prospects: Opportunities in rehabilitation are plenty — both in India and abroad. In private hospitals, nursing homes and diagnostic centers all need rehabilitation personnel in large numbers. After some work experience it is possible to set up a private rehabilitation clinic.
Remuneration: Starting salary is Rs. 5000/- and upwards depending on qualification and experience.
