PARAMEDICAL SCIENCES

The demand for quality health care has created a need for qualified and professionally trained paramedical staff in every hospital. To meet this ever increasing demand, paramedical courses are offered for students who have passed SSLC or PUC. After completion of the course, the paramedics are ready to be employed in the hospitals as full-time/ part-time staff and paid well.  During the course, they learn about ailments, medical tests and analysis, and work under doctors and nurses.

Courses

Paramedical courses offered by Karnataka State Paramedical Board:

*Medical Lab Technology

*Medical X-Ray Technology

*Medical Records Technology

*Operation Theatre Technology

*Dialysis Technology

*Health Inspector

*Opthalmic Technology

*Dental Mechanic

*Dental Hygiene

Duration

*After Class 10: 3 years

*After 2nd PUC/ Class 12 (Science): 2 years

Eligibility

*Pass in Class 10 with a minimum of 40 per cent.

Admission

The Karnataka State Paramedical Board issues the admission notification in the first week of August. Applications are issued at the four Government Medical colleges: (1) Bangalore Medical College, Bangalore (2) Mysore Medical College, Mysore (3) Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences, Hubli and (4) Vijayanagar Institute of Medical Sciences, Bellary.

Selection

All candidates who apply are given ranks based on their marks in Science in Class 10 or 2nd PUC. Central counselling is held at the Bangalore Medical College, where seats are allotted based on merit in government and private recognised paramedical colleges across Karnataka. Seats are reserved for SC, ST, Cat 1, 2A, 2B, 3A & 3B.

Fees

A Government college seat will cost approximately Rs 3,000 while a Government-allotted seat in a private college will cost Rs 8,000 to Rs 10,000.

Courses offered by private hospitals & institutes

*One-year certificate course as Opthalmic Technician. Offered by Bangalore West Lions Eye Hospital, Off J C Road, Bangalore-560002 for those who have successfully completed SSLC. The candidate gets a stipend of Rs 2,000 a month.

*Six-month course in Mould Casting Technology. Offered at Hosmat Hospital, Bangalore for those who have successfully completed SSLC. The candidate gets a stipend of Rs 500 a month.

After Diploma, there are Graduation courses for paramedics. Those who seek to get a degree can study any of the following courses from a recognised university in India.

*B Sc in Medical Lab Technology

*B Sc in Medical X-Ray Technology

*B Sc in Cardiac Perfusion Technology

*B Sc in Cardiac Care Technology

*B Sc in Radiotherapy

*B Sc in Renal Dialysis

*B Sc in Respiratory Therapy Technology

*B Sc in Physiotherapy

*B Sc in Occupational Therapy

Job prospects

*Paramedics are in demand in nursing homes, corporate hospitals, blood banks, manufacturing firms, dairy institutes, pharmaceutical labs, public health labs, diagnostic laboratories, rehabilitation centres, special treatment centres, etc.

*Teaching jobs in paramedical colleges offer excellent pay packages.

*Some candidates learn at least two or three paramedical skills. For example, studying both Medical Lab & Medical X-Ray Technology can get a candidate  better job prospects.

*Paramedical jobs abroad offer excellent pay packages. An experienced paramedic can earn close to Rs 40,000 a month.

Paramedical colleges

The Karnataka State Paramedical Board has more than 150 paramedical colleges affiliated to it across Karnataka. The paramedical colleges are located in Bangalore, Bijapur, Belgaum, Bellary, Bidar, Chitradurga, Chamarajnagar, Davana- gere, Hubli, Gadag, Gulbarga, Hassan, Haveri, Kolar, Koppal, Mysore, Shimoga, Tumkur, Udupi and Mangalore. For the complete list, contact the Karnataka State Paramedical Board, Opp. Vani Vilas Hospital, City Market, Bangalore.

ITI courses

Industrial Training Institutes provide training in technical fields. The objective of setting up ITIs is to provide technical manpower based on the requirements of industries.

Courses

The ITI courses listed here are offered by the Directorate of Employment & Training, Govt of Karnataka, through government and recognised private one-year or two-year courses:

*Draughtsman (Civil)
*Draughtsman (Mechanical)
*Mechanic (Diesel)
*Foundryman
*Mason
*Mechanic (Tractor)
*Plastic Processing Operator
*Plumber
*Sheet Metal Worker
*Welder
*Wireman
*Attendant Operator (Chemical Plant)
*Electrician
*Electronic Mechanic
*Electroplater
*Carpenter
*Fitter
*Instrument Mechanic
*Surveyor
*Lab Assistant (Chemical Plant)
*Machinist
*Machinist (Grinder)
*Maintenance Mechanic (Chemical Plant)
*Mechanic (Motor Vehicle)
*Mechanic (Refrigeration and Aid Conditioning)
*Mechanic (Radio & TV)
*Mechanic (Machine Tool Maintenance)
*Turner
*Information Technology and Electronics Systems Maintenance (IT & ESM)
*Tool and Die Making
*Production and Manufacturing
*Automobile
*Electrical
*Electronics

Though getting a job after an ITI course will not be difficult, the challenge lies in getting into the right company where one’s skills are enhanced. After an ITI course, one could also pursue:

*Diploma in Engineering
*B A/ B Com (if having a degree becomes necessary to get better opportunities)
*Short-term job oriented courses

Job prospects

*Successful ITI candidates are always in demand as trade apprentices. As an apprentice, one is paid a stipend fixed by the Government.

*ITI candidates can also be self employed since they are well equipped with the skills and can set up their own enterprise.

*With two or three years of experience, they can seek jobs outside India, especially in countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, etc.

*Several government-owned companies and departments regularly recruit ITI graduates as technicians and skilled workforce.

Bakery & Catering Technology

The growing demand for professionals in the hotel industry has thrown up many opportunities for youngsters who wish to pursue a career in catering. Students who have passed Class 10 can seek admission into any of the following job-oriented courses, which will give them the opportunity to work in the hotel industry.
 
Courses

*One-year Advanced Diploma in Catering Technology
*Two-month Certificate Course in Bakery & Confectionery
*Six-month Certificate Course in Front Office Management
*One-year Certificate Course in House Keeping

Institutes

*Food Craft Institute, Behind SJP Polytechnic, K R Circle, Bangalore

*Small Industries Service Institute (SISI), Catering Training Centre, Rajajinagar Industrial Estate, Bangalore - 560004. Ph: (080) 23351582

Refrigeration Technician Training Course

The course covers subjects like refrigeration engineering, basic physics, basic chemistry, welding, thermodynamics and practical sessions.

Eligibility: Pass in SSLC

Duration: 10 months

Course Fee:  Rs 1,000 a month. For admission details, contact: The Director, Integrated Fisheries Project, Fine Arts Avenue, Cochin-682016.

Training in Vessel Navigator and Marine Fitter Trade

This course has been initiated by NCVT. Candidates passing this course can seek employment as technicians in the marine and fishing industry.

Eligibility: Pass in SSLC/ Class 10

Duration of training: 24 months, including training on board fishing vessels at sea.
How to apply: Notification is issued in first week of June and entrance exam is conducted in July.

For details, contact: Central Institute of Fisheries, Nautical and Engineering Training, Fine Arts Avenue, Cochin-682016. Website: www.cifnet.gov.in

Jewellery Design

Course: Job-oriented training in jewellery designing.

Sponsored by: Karnataka Women Development Corporation, Bangalore.
Eligibility: Pass in SSLC/ Class 10 (18-40 years).

For details, contact: JSS AJDTC, JSSATE Campus, Uttarahalli-Kengeri Main Road, Bangalore-560050.

Gemmology

Course: One-year correspondence course.
Eligibility: Pass in Class 10

For details, contact: The Gemmological Institute of India, Mumbai.
Website: www.giionline.com

Interior Design

An interior designer/decorator acts as an advisor to clients. Planning regarding the furniture, furnishings, design patterns and colour combinations is an integral part of the job.

Course: Diploma in Interior Designing & Decoration
Duration:  6 months-2 years
Eligibility: Pass in Class10/ SSLC.

Colleges

*Government Polytechnic, SJP Campus, Sheshadri Road, Bangalore-560001.
*Small Industries Service Institute, Rajajinagar Industrial Estate, Bangalore-560044.
*IDEA, Cunningham Road, Bangalore-560052.
*Sri Bhagwan Mahaveer Jain College, Basavanagudi, Bangalore-560004.
*Polytechnic institutes approved by AICTE.

(The writer is Director of CIGMA India, a career guidance and counselling organisation.)