Lab technician job description template
Lab technicians collect, process, and analyse patient samples (blood, urine, tissue) and report results to physicians for diagnosis and treatment monitoring. India's diagnostic services market is growing at 15-18% annually, driven by preventive healthcare demand and insurance penetration. Use our lab technician job description template to attract qualified DMLT and BSc MLT graduates for your diagnostic centre or hospital lab. It covers key responsibilities, required skills, Indian education requirements, salary insights, and the selection process.
Job title:
Lab Technician
Location:
Mumbai, Maharashtra (or diagnostic centre/hospital location)
Job type:
Full-time, Permanent
Reports to:
Lab Manager / Chief Pathologist
Experience:
0-3 years
Employment type:
Permanent
About the role
We are looking for a skilled Lab Technician to join our NABL-accredited diagnostic laboratory. You will collect patient samples, operate haematology and biochemistry analysers, prepare slides for microscopic examination, and ensure accurate reporting within defined TAT (turnaround time). Familiarity with laboratory information systems and quality control protocols as per NABL guidelines is essential.
About the company: - Established: 2005 - Employees: 3,000+ (including lab technicians, pathologists, and collection centre staff) - Industry: Healthcare (diagnostics and pathology services) - Certifications: NABL accredited (ISO 15189), CAP accredited - Presence: 200+ collection centres and 25 reference labs across Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, and Telangana - Known for: Top 5 Indian diagnostic chain by test volume; processes 50,000+ samples daily; empanelled with all major health insurance providers
Lab technician roles and responsibilities - Collect blood, urine, sputum, and other clinical samples following standard phlebotomy protocols - Process samples - centrifugation, aliquoting, and preparation for automated analysis - Operate haematology (CBC, ESR), biochemistry (liver function, kidney function, lipid profile), and immunology (ELISA, chemiluminescence) analysers - Prepare and stain slides for microscopic examination (peripheral smear, Gram stain, AFB, Pap smear) - Enter test results into the laboratory information system (LIS) accurately and within defined TAT - Run daily quality control (QC) samples before patient testing; document QC results per NABL guidelines - Maintain lab equipment - daily cleaning, calibration checks, and temperature logs (refrigerators, incubators, centrifuges) - Segregate and dispose of biohazard waste per biomedical waste management rules (BMW 2016) - Restock lab consumables (reagents, slides, vacutainers, gloves) and maintain inventory logs
Lab technician qualifications and skills - Hands-on experience with automated haematology and biochemistry analysers (Mindray, Erba, Roche, Abbott, Siemens) - Proficiency in phlebotomy - vein selection, sample collection, and infection control - Understanding of QC protocols - Levey-Jennings charts, Westgard rules, and troubleshooting out-of-range controls - Knowledge of NABL ISO 15189 quality standards and laboratory accreditation requirements - Good documentation skills - maintaining patient records, QC logs, and equipment maintenance registers - Attention to detail and ability to work under time pressure (meeting TAT for critical values) - Basic computer proficiency - MS Excel, LIS software, email - Ability to work in rotational shifts including weekend shifts - Strong communication skills in English, Hindi, and local language for patient interaction
Education and Experience Requirements - Degree: DMLT (Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology) - 2 year diploma, or BSc MLT (Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Technology) - 3 year degree - Minimum 50% in DMLT / BSc MLT from a recognised institution - Registration with the State Paramedical Council is preferred - 0-3 years of experience in a clinical diagnostic laboratory (hospital lab or standalone diagnostic centre) - Freshers with completed internship (6 months in a NABL-accredited lab) are eligible - Experience with specific analysers (Mindray BC series, Erba EM series, Roche Cobas, Abbott Architect) is a plus
Lab technician average salary
In India, Lab Technicians earn 2-4 Lakhs Per Annum (LPA) Cost to Company (CTC) depending on city, lab type, and experience. NABL-accredited labs in metros pay 2.5-4 LPA for technicians with analyser experience. Government hospital lab technicians earn 2.8-5 LPA with grade pay. Senior lab technicians (5+ years) with LIS and QC expertise earn 4-6 LPA.
Source: Naukri Salary Index 2025-26; Randstad India Healthcare Salary Trends 2025.
Benefits - CTC includes: Basic + HRA + Shift allowance + Annual performance bonus - Statutory: Provident Fund (PF), Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) (if gross <=21,000/month), Gratuity (payable after 5 years) - Additional: Group medical insurance (self + family), annual health check-up, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kit and lab coat provided - Perks: Subsidised cafeteria, quarterly team events, professional development support (conference fees for MLT seminars) - Growth path: Lab Technician -> Senior Lab Technician -> Lab Supervisor -> Lab Manager
Other details - Probation period: 6 months - Notice period: 30 days (15 days during probation) - Immediate joiners preferred: Yes - Bond / Service agreement: None typically for lab technician roles - Working days: 6 days a week (rotating week off) - Work mode: Work from Lab (on-site) - Shifts: General shift (7 AM-3 PM / 8 AM-4 PM) with rotational Saturday shifts. Some labs have evening shifts (2 PM-10 PM). - Relocation support: Not provided; candidates must be local or willing to relocate at own cost
Selection process
1. Resume screening: Based on DMLT/BSc MLT qualification, analyser experience, and lab type exposure
2. Practical assessment: 30-minute test covering phlebotomy on a mannequin, sample processing (centrifugation, aliquoting), and QC chart interpretation
3. Technical interview: 30-minute interview with Lab Manager or Pathologist covering analyser operation, troubleshooting, QC protocols, and NABL documentation
4. HR interview: Salary fitment, shift preference, notice period discussion
5. Document verification: Educational certificates, mark sheets, internship certificate, ID proof
6. Offer rollout
How to apply - Platform: Apply through Naukri, Indeed, LinkedIn, or the company's careers portal - Documents: Resume, DMLT/BSc MLT certificates, internship certificate, ID proof (Aadhaar), 2 passport-size photographs - Timeline: Rolling applications; practical assessment scheduled within 5 working days
Frequently asked questions
1. What does a Lab Technician do in India?
A Lab Technician collects patient samples (blood, urine, sputum), processes them using automated analysers, prepares slides for microscopy, and reports results to doctors. They work in hospital labs, diagnostic centres, and pathology reference labs. NABL accreditation compliance and QC documentation are key responsibilities.
2. What qualifications do I need to become a Lab Technician in India?
DMLT (2 years) or BSc MLT (3 years) from a recognised institution. State Paramedical Council registration is preferred. Hands-on experience with haematology and biochemistry analysers is expected.
3. What is the average salary of a Lab Technician in India?
Freshers earn 1.8-2.5 Lakhs Per Annum (LPA). Experienced technicians (2-5 years) with analyser expertise earn 2.5-4 LPA. Senior lab supervisors earn 4-6 LPA. NABL-accredited labs pay 10-15% more than non-accredited labs.
4. How can I hire the right Lab Technician in India?
Use a practical assessment (phlebotomy + analyser operation) instead of interviews alone. Verify experience with specific analysers your lab uses. NABL lab experience is a strong signal of QC discipline. Partner with paramedical colleges in your city for fresher hiring.