About Paramedical courses

Paramedical Science is a branch of science that introduces services and professions which supplement and support medical work but do not need a fully qualified doctor such as nursing, radiography, emergency first aid, physiotherapy, and dietetics.

This article is aimed to acquaint the students with various courses involved in this field

This discipline of medicine plays a very important role in treating any kind of patient or disease also they are job-oriented academic programs, therefore, to make a career in this field is not a bad idea at all.12^th science biology group students are eligible to enroll in these courses.

Types of Paramedical Courses in India

Indian institutes provide 3 main course formats, they are as follows:

• Bachelor’s Degree courses
• Diploma courses
• Certificate courses

Top Bachelor's Degree Paramedical Courses

• Bachelor of Physiotherapy
• Bachelor of Occupational Therapy
• B.Sc. in OTT (Operation Theatre Technology)
• B.Sc. in Dialysis Technology
• B.Sc. in MLT (Medical Lab Technology)
• B.Sc. in X-Ray Technology
• B.Sc. in Radiography
• B.Sc. in Medical Imaging Technology
• B.Sc. in Medical Record Technology
• B.Sc. in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology
• B.Sc. in Ophthalmic Technology
• B.Sc. in Audiology and Speech Therapy
• B.Sc. in Optometry
• B.Sc. in Anesthesia Technology

The above-mention Bachelor’s Degree courses are usually 3 years long. Some academic programs are 4 years long (theory + practical training).

Top Diploma Paramedical Courses

• Diploma in Physiotherapy
• Diploma in Occupational Therapy
• DOTT (Diploma in Operation Theatre Technology)
• Diploma in Dialysis Technology
• DMLT (Diploma in Medical Lab Technology)
• Diploma in X-Ray Technology
• Diploma in Radiography
• Diploma in Medical Imaging Technology
• Diploma in Medical Record Technology
• Diploma in Nursing Care Assistant
• ANM (Auxiliary Nursing Midwifery)
• GNM (General Nursing and Midwifery)
• Diploma in Ophthalmic Technology
• DHLS (Diploma in Hearing Language and Speech)
• Diploma in Anesthesia Technology
• Diploma in Dental Hygienist
• Diploma in Rural Health Care
• Diploma in Community Health Care

Diploma courses can last anywhere between 1-3 years. These courses can be pursued by students who have passed 12th and 10th (Depending upon the institute and the nature of the academic program).

Top Certificate Paramedical Courses

• Certificate in X-Ray Technician
• Certificate in Lab Assistant/Technician
• Certificate in Dental Assistant
• Certificate in Operation Theatre Assistant
• Certificate in Nursing Care Assistant
• Certificate in ECG and CT Scan Technician
• Certificate in Dialysis Technician
• Certificate in Home Based Health Care
• Certificate in Rural Health Care
• Certificate in HIV and Family Education
• Certificate in Nutrition and Childcare

Certificate paramedical courses can last somewhere between 6 to 24 months. 10th pass is usually the minimum qualification required to pursue such courses (depends upon the institute and the nature of the academic program).

Apart from the above mention undergraduate paramedical courses there also exist postgraduate courses in the same format as the undergraduate programs are mentioned.

Scope and Different Branches

After completing the basic courses in any of the paramedical streams, the candidate can take up a job in a hospital, nursing home, clinic, health departments etc. With the opening of corporate hospitals like Apollo Hospital, Escorts Hospital, etc, the scope for these professionals has increased tremendously. The candidates can go for teaching as a profession. Besides, they can open their own laboratories/clinics. The career prospects for different paramedical streams are described below.

Like all other medical and paramedical professionals, Physiotherapists 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 a Senior Physiotherapist, Supervisor of Physical Therapy, Superintendent of Physiotherapy in the Government Hospital, and as demonstrators, lecturers, assistant professors, and associate professors in medical colleges.

• Pharmacy professional has good prospects as medical representative. A pharmacist can also find employment as a hospital pharmacist. Candidates with a degree of B.Pharm are employed as Pharmacists in Government or Private hospitals or they can start their own pharmacy. B.Pharm graduates can work as medical representatives or medical detailing men, marketing managers or sales managers, drug inspectors, and as drug controllers. M.Pharm degree holders can opt for teaching as well as research jobs.
• Nursing has wide employment prospects in hospitals, clinics, health departments, the military, schools, training institutes as teachers, and in research.
• Occupational therapists work with the patients on various disorders such as orthopedic and neurological conditions, among other conditions. In schools, they evaluate children's abilities and provide therapy. They also supervise adult daycare, residential care, and mental health care program.
• Speech Therapists & Audiologists can work in hospitals, schools, community health and welfare centers, private practice, and even in the industry ( to monitor the effect of noise pollution). Postgraduate qualifications can go for a teaching job or research positions.
• Laboratory technicians may find jobs in a hospital, minor emergency centers, private laboratories, blood donor centers, doctor's clinics, etc. A technologist can advance to supervisory or management positions in pathology labs and hospitals. They can also work as laboratory managers, consultants, or supervisors in health care administration.
• Radiographers: Employment opportunities for Radiographers are good, both within the country as well as abroad. An increase in health services demands more radiographers in nursing homes, hospitals, diagnostic centers as well as super-specialty hospitals.
• Dental Hygienists and Mechanics can get jobs in the Dental Departments of Hospitals (Government/Private), institutions doing dental research.
• Rehabilitation: Opportunities in Rehabilitation are both in India and abroad. Rehabilitation workers can get jobs in private hospitals, nursing homes, and diagnostic centers.

Salary after Paramedical Courses

The average starting salary for Paramedical professionals varies from Rs.18000/- to Rs 50,000/- per month. It may go to Rs 80,000/- and more depending on personal skills and experience.

Employment Opportunity

Employment opportunity for Paramedical Professionals is increasing day by day not only in India rather in the western countries like the USA, Canada, UK, UAE, etc. Their role is to help doctors to provide the correct diagnosis of a disease to enable its best possible treatment. Paramedical sciences have their own value and significance.

Watch the video Paramedical Courses After 12th | Top Paramedical courses after 12th

Watch the video: Paramedical Courses After 12th | Top Paramedical courses after 12th