Paramedical courses as career options

Ranjan K Baruah *

Career in health is not only limited to doctors as many other people are associated with health sector. If we look at the health sectors then we could find that there are other professions apart from doctors or nurses.

In this regard one of the important part of the health care profession is paramedics or paramedical. The paramedic is a healthcare professional who works in emergency medical situations.

A paramedic may be more formally defined as a medical professional who provides medical care at an advanced life support level in the pre-hospital environment, usually in an emergency, at the point of illness or injury. They are the key people who help the doctors.

As there has been boom in the health industry, so there would be more demand for the paramedical professionals. India is passing through the phase of epidemiological change, i.e. along with communicable diseases the non-communicable diseases are also showing an increasing bent over the past few years.

The number of people aged 80 years or more will almost quadruple between now and 2050. It will lead to unprecedented and universal growth in the need for long-term care. For economic reasons or others there might be shift in health care and this will need professionals who can provide service or care the people.

There are many paramedical courses in graduate as well as post graduate level. Apart from degree courses there are also diploma courses including PG diploma, certificate courses, etc. There are also skill development training programme related to some courses.

Some of the courses are like
o Bachelor of Occupational Therapy,
o Bachelor of Physio / Physical Therapy,
o Graduation in Audiology and Speech Therapy,
o Bachelor courses in Mental Rehabilitation ),
o BSc ( Radiography ),
o BSc ( Radio Therapy ),
o BSc /M Sc ( Nuclear Medicine ),
o BSc ( Medical Technology X-Ray ),
o Bachelor and Master Degree courses in Pharmacy,
o Courses for Operation Theatres,
o Medical Laboratory Technology ,
o Bachelor of Speach,
o Language, & Hearing (BSLH),
o Bachelor of Naturopathy & Yogic Science,
o Dental Hygienis,
o Dental Mechanics,
o Diploma In Community Health ,
o Certified Radiological Assistant ,
o Radiation Therapy Technician,
o PG Diploma in Cardiac Pulmonary Perfusion,
o PG Diploma in Cardio Vascular Technique,
o PG Diploma in Medical Laboratory Tech,
o PG Diploma in Neuro Tech,
o PG Diploma in Radiography & Imaging Tech,
o Diploma in Anaesthesia Tech,
o Diploma in Transfusion Medical Tech,
o Diploma in Vascular Surgery Tech,
o Diploma in Dialysis Tech,
o Diploma in ECG Tech,
o Medical Records Tech,
o Medical Transcript Writing,
o Certificate Course In Laboratory Technique,
o Certificate Course In Sanitary Inspector Training,
o Certificate Course In Radiography,
o Certificate Course In X-Ray Technician,
o Certificate Course In Dark Room Assistant,
o Certificate Course In Optician & Refractionist,
o Diploma In Ophthalmic Assistant,
o Certificate Course In Health Works ,
o Diploma In Clinical Neuro Technology ,
o PG Diploma in Hospital Management ,
o Diploma in Dietetics , etc.

There are also other courses apart from these courses. These courses are offered in many colleges and institutes in different parts of the country. For some of the courses aspirants must have Physics, Chemistry and Biology in senior secondary level.

However certificate courses can be opt by aspirants coming from any stream. Apart from government hospitals or dispensaries, aspirants may get employment in various nursing homes, hospitals and others.

Employability skills are important to get jobs or to be employed anywhere in the world. Aspirants must look at the credibility of the institute before taking admission as all private colleges or institutes are may not be credible.