MLT Grads Cry Foul over Unfair Recruitment Norms

Kurnool:Teachers and students in clinical microbiology have raised concerns over the absence of clear distinctions between medical lab technicians and lab attendants in the state recruitment processes, despite their varied educational backgrounds. They argue that this lack of clarity is leading to injustice, particularly for those who have completed full-time, specialised education in medical laboratory technology.

“There should be a statewide eligibility test for lab technicians to assess their knowledge levels rather than simply considering their qualifications,” said Dr K. Srinivas Rao, professor and head of clinical microbiology at Government Medical College, Nandyal. “Vocational candidates should be considered only for lab attendant roles. Then, there will be justice to the candidates who have dedicated two to three years full-time in diagnostic laboratories.”

Currently, there are six government institutions located in medical colleges and 44 private institutions across the state that offer Medical Lab Technician (MLT) courses. Additionally, some junior colleges provide MLT as a vocational course at the intermediate level. While the B.Sc. (MLT) is a three-year degree programme and DMLT is a two-year diploma with four semesters focused entirely on lab training, the vocational MLT course includes just three subject papers over two years, along with general foundation and English. Each year includes 250 marks for practical exams and 500 for theory.

Academicians argue that the vocational course lacks the depth and hands-on training offered in the degree and diploma programmes. “We are completing these courses in full-time mode, paying close attention to both academics and practical exams in university colleges or institutions dedicated to the course,” said K. Ramadevi, a B.Sc. (MLT) graduate from Nandyal. Even students who study MLT only as a vocational optional subject in Intermediate are getting jobs on par with diploma holders and graduates, which is unjust, she rued.

Interestingly, over 50 per cent of medical lab technicians currently working in the state have only a vocational course background. Experts in the field are recommending a structured allocation of job roles: 50 per cent of technician posts for B.Sc. MLT graduates, 35 per cent for DMLT diploma holders, and the remaining 15 per cent for those from the vocational stream, preferably for lab attendant roles.

They emphasise that, despite the courses being offered at different levels, there is no effective distinction in recruitment. As a result, many technician positions are occupied by candidates with only intermediate vocational MLT qualifications, leaving more qualified candidates at a disadvantage.