Medical courses seem to fascinate a lot of form 4 leavers in Kenya for some reason..

Perhaps it is the uniform (nurses appear very neat in their uniforms), the pay (doctors are among the best paid professionals in Kenya), the prestige (medical professionals are well respected by the society)….  whatever it is, it is an open secret that many young Kenyans dream of working in hospitals and other medical facilities in Kenya..

But we also know that many things have changed when it comes to the availability of jobs in nearly all industries in Kenya (jobs are harder to come by these days) and even some medical courses do not guarantee you employment.

In this article, we shall look at your employment prospects if you do one of these courses: medical laboratory science.

So, is medical laboratory science marketable in Kenya?

Read on for my answer…

Is medical laboratory science marketable in Kenya?

Well, while it is not as marketable as courses like nursing, medical laboratory science has a good number of jobs..

In other words, while you might not get employed directly from college (lucky ones do), there is a good chance of you getting a meaningful job down the road (The thing is, you may  have to hustle a bit before securing a permanent job)..

One of the reasons why I consider the course fairly promising is the rate at which medical centers are being opened in Kenya..

If you check around you, you’re likely to notice more newer medical facilities in the town you live.

At least that is the case in the town I’m currently living in- I have noted that about 7 private clinics and two small hospitals have been started in my town in the last 3 years.

I should add that medical laboratory technologists are very important in the diagnosis process and doctors and clinicians cannot do without them when diagnosing illnesses in patients.

And that means that most of these medical centers cannot usually do without an in-house medical laboratory professional.

Also, I feel that as a course, medical lab science is not as flooded as medical courses like clinical medicine (I keep reading that many graduates of a clinical medicine diploma are taking too long to get jobs)..

To cut the long story short, medical laboratory technology is a fairly marketable course and people do secure work at some point (but be prepared to hustle for some time).

The other reason I find the course good is that you can employ yourself..

Yeah, you can open your own medical lab after graduating and getting the right certificates including a practicing certificate from KMLTTB(Kenya Medical laboratory technicians and technologists board).

And yes, you can make good money if you market your business properly.

Let us now look at the minimum entry qualifications for the course including KMTC medical lab requirements.

Medical laboratory science requirements in Kenya

Certificate in medical laboratory science requirements

Unfortunately, you cannot take a certificate in medical laboratory science in KMTC.

You cannot also pursue a craft certificate in medical laboratory technology as the course is no longer offered at the certificate level.

In short, you lowest you can start is at the Diploma level and below are the entry requirements..

Diploma in Medical Laboratory Sciences in Kenya requirements

You need these grades (minimum) to do a diploma in medical lab at KMTC:

KCSE Mean Grade: C

Additional requirements

English or Kiswahili: C

Biology/Biological Sciences: C

Chemistry/Physical Sciences: C

Finally, you must also have a  C plain grade in any of these: Mathematics, Physics/Physical Sciences

You can also take a Diploma from the following National Polytechnics in Kenya as long as you have the above grades:

• Eldoret National Polytechnic– Call 0714 871 685,0738 092 126
• Kisii National Polytechnic– Call 0700152177/0752031300
• Kisumu National Polytechnic– Call 0723 446 773

The other institution offering the course is Mawego Technical Training Institute (Call 0734 156 640)

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Degree in Medical Laboratory Science in Kenya (requirements)

The following are the minimum requirements if you want to pursue a Bachelor of Science (Bsc.) In Medical Laboratory Science and Technology in Kenya:

KCSE Mean Grade: C+

Additional requirements

Universities offering Medical Laboratory Science in Kenya

• Alupe University College
• Baraton University
• JKUAT University
• Kisii University
• Kenyatta University
• Mt Kenya University
• Masinde Muliro University of Science & Technology
• Maseno University
• Moi University
• Meru University of Science & Technology
• Muranga University of Technology
• SEKU (SouthEastern Kenya University)
• University of Nairobi

What do holders of medical laboratory science qualifications do?

Below now are some of the typical jobs and responsibilities you will be expected to discharge once you get work:

• Effectively manage all laboratory supplies in order to ensure their availability, efficient use, as well as minimal stock variances.
• Dispatch samples for out-sourced testing on time and maintain the necessary records.
• Maintain laboratory archives.
• Assist in media preparation as well as the sterilization of lab apparatus and waste.
• Follow relevant infection control guidelines/standards to minimize hazards brought about by infectious specimens.
• Collect required specimens from patients.
• Carrying out requested laboratory tests in a careful manner and accurately by following standard operating procedures.
• Preparing laboratory reagents
• Indexing and processing all experimental data.
• Compiling and submitting lab research reports.
• Maintaining the inventory of all lab assets and consumables.
• Performing the calibration and other quality control procedures ahead of performing tests.

Skills and interests required to pursue a career in this field

• Good organizational skills.
• Above average problem-solving skills
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work without continuous supervision.
• High levels of integrity (you must be able to maintain confidentiality).

Other requirements by employers

Apart from having a Diploma or a Degree in medical laboratory sciences, you could be asked for the following:

Registration with KMLTTB(Kenya Medical laboratory technicians and technologists board)- KMLTTB is the body that licenses medical lab practitioners in Kenya and it is important to register with them immediately after you finish the course.

Driving license- Possession of a genuine driving license is considered a plus by some employers

Excellent computer skills– For the most part, you need to have a certificate proving that you’re proficient in the use of various computer software too.

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The post Is medical laboratory science marketable in Kenya? appeared first on Kenya Education Guide.

It is generally agreed that taking a course in health sciences is a wise move- it usually guarantees you employment on graduating.

However, it is an open secret that not all medical courses are marketable.

Put another way, you’re likely to get a better paying job (and faster) with some medical courses in Kenya than others.

Now, this article introduces you to the best medical courses in Kenya- for those who have met the minimum entry requirements for health-related programmes in Kenya.

I hope that it will help you make the right decision if you are unsure about the best medical course to take.

Read to the end.

List of the best medical courses in Kenya, their requirements, and a brief description

Best medical degree courses in Kenya

1.   Bachelor of Medicine &Bachelor of Surgery degree programme (MBChB)

Globally, there is a biting shortage of doctors and Kenya is no exception.

If you doubt it, take a look at these numbers:

• One doctor in Kenya serves 5,000 people yet WHO(World Health Organisation) recommends 23 doctors per 10000 people!
• According to KMPDC (Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council), Kenya only has about 12000 doctors in total (these are expected to serve over 50 million Kenyans!).

Can you now see why you should consider taking a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degree- the specialist course for doctors in Kenya?

And have I mentioned that medicine and surgery in Kenya is one of the best paying medical courses in our nation by far.

Of course, the course is super competitive and only top students get a chance (Kenyan universities have limited vacancies for the course).

Entry requirements for medicine and surgery courses in Kenya

KCSE Holders

KCSE Mean Grade: C+ (You may need a better grade because as I have said above, the course is very competitive-  Some universities only accept A students!)

Subject requirements: You need a B plain(minimum) too in these cluster subjects..

• Biology
• Physics/Mathematics
• English/Kiswahili
• Chemistry

International Baccalaureate graduates

For International Baccalaureate(IB) , grade 5 (or above) is needed in International Baccalaureate

Diploma holders (in clinical medicine)

1. C+ (plus) mean-grade and C+ in the above stated cluster subjects in your K.C.S.E.
2. A 3-year diploma in clinical medicine with a credit pass (at least) from a recognized medical training institution (or any other equivalent diploma)

Note that in most cases, you must be already registered as a Clinical Officer (by the Clinical Officers Council) to be admitted.

Holders of Biological Sciences degree (or equivalent)

Also accepted for admission are applicants who hold a Biological Sciences degree(or an equivalent) from an accredited university.

However, here you must pass the GRE(Graduate Record Examination) exam prior to admission.

The following degrees are considered:

• Zoology
• Botany
• Biology
• Microbiology
• Medical Laboratory Sciences
• Nursing- As well shall see later in this article, this is another one of the very marketable medical courses in Kenya
• Pharmacy
• Clinical Medicine.

Extra requirements for International students

In all cases, you must be proficient in English language if you’re from another country.

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2. Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree programme

Out of the various medical courses offered in Kenya, few beats a Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree in terms of availability of jobs, pay, prestige, and more.

Now, for starters, this course prepares you for a career as a dental practitioner- your day-to-day work will entail providing oral health services to patients.

Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree requirements in Kenya

KCSE Holders

KCSE Mean Grade: C+ (You may need a better grade)

Subject requirements: You need a B plain(minimum) too in these cluster subjects..

• Biology
• Physics/Mathematics
• English/Kiswahili
• Chemistry

International Baccalaureate graduates

For International Baccalaureate(IB), grade 5 (or above) is needed in the following subject clusters:

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Physics/Mathematics
• English/Kiswahili

Diploma holders (in Medical Sciences)

1. C+ (plus) mean-grade and C+ in the above stated cluster subjects in your K.C.S.E.
2. A 3-year diploma in medical Sciences with a credit pass (at least) from a recognized medical training institution

Eligible diplomas

• Dental technology
• Dental hygiene
• Dental surgery assistants
• Clinical medicine
• Laboratory technology
• Community oral health
• Radiography
• Pharmaceutical technology
• Nursing
• Any other acceptable equivalent

Holders of Biological Sciences degree (or equivalent)

Like with the MBChB degree, applicants who hold a Biological Sciences degree from an accredited university can be admitted.

You again need to pass the GRE(Graduate Record Examination) exam prior to admission.

Additional requirements for international students

If you’re from a non-English speaking country, you need to prove that you’re Proficient in English language and so most institutions will ask for a TOEFL(Test of English as a Foreign Language) certificate in addition to the regular requirements.

3. Bachelor of Science in Clinical Medicine

Next in our most marketable medical courses in Kenya list is a clinical medicine degree.

The clinical medicine degree in Kenya is offered by JKUAT and Egerton University among a few other institutions.

You can go for this course directly instead of the KMTC diploma in clinical medicine (if you have met the requirements).

Degree in clinical medicine entry requirements

Direct entry requirements

Mean grade(KCSE): C+

You also need a C+ in the following subjects:

• Mathematics/Physics
• English/Kiswahili
• Chemistry

Entry requirements under Upgrading program

• Hold the Diploma in Clinical Medicine from any accredited institution
• Be registered with the COC (Clinical Officers Council)

4. Degree in nursing in Kenya

With a nursing degree, tons of opportunities exist in both the private and public sectors in Kenya and even abroad (countries like the USA and UK keep hiring qualified nurses from Kenya).
In short, you cannot go wrong with a nursing course in Kenya..

Bachelor of science in nursing requirements

Mean grade(KCSE): C+

You also need a C+ in the following subjects:

• Biology/Biological Sciences
• English/Kiswahili
• Chemistry
• Physics/Mathematics

Best medical courses in Kenya – Other medical degree courses you can consider

·  Bachelor of Radiography

It may not be as popular as nursing and clinical medicine but a Bachelor of Radiography it is not a bad course either.

You will be working as a Radiographer/Radiographer on graduating.

Bear in mind that radiographers capture images of organs, bones, and human tissue to help medical professionals diagnose patients.

They, of course, use a plethora of imaging equipment(and this is what you’re trained to do) for this.

I should mention that WHO recommends one Radiographer(at least) for 20000 citizens which is very far from the current radiographer:citizen ratio in Kenya.

Bachelor of Radiography requirements in Kenya

Mean grade(KCSE): C+

Cluster subjects requirements:

• Biology – C+
• Math/Chemistry – C+
• Physics- C+
• English/Kiswahili – C+

Alternative Cluster subjects combination

• Biological Sciences- B – (Minus)
• Physical Sciences- B – (Minus)
• English/Kiswahili – C+

Note: Holders of a Diploma(Or Higher National Diploma) in Medical Imaging science can be admitted too (and at the 3rd year). Please also remember that this course is offered at JKUAT only (at the time of writing this).

· Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science

This prepares you to work as a medical laboratory technician. And while its not a bad course,  it, in general, doesn’t pay as well as the other medical degree courses. Plus, jobs are not as many as let’s say for nursing course graduates

Bachelor of medical laboratory science requirements

Mean grade(KCSE): C+

Cluster subjects requirements:

• Biology- B
• Chemistry- B
• Mathematics/Physics- C+
• English/Kiswahili- B

Alternative Cluster subjects combination

• Biological Sciences- B+
• Physical Sciences- B+
• Mathematics -C+
• English/Kiswahili -B

You can also be admitted to the course if you hold a diploma in medical laboratory science from any accredited institution.

Bachelor of Pharmacy

This is not very marketable these days compared to the days gone-by – jobs are now fewer because a hospital can operate with less than 5 pharmacists and that explains why most people with this course have opened chemists all over the place.

Here are the minimum entry requirements:

Mean grade(KCSE): C+

Cluster subjects requirements:

1. Biology-C+
2. Chemistry-C+
3. Physics or Mathematics-C+
4. English or Kiswahili-C+

It’s another super competitive course so having a C+ does not guarantee admission.

Best medical diploma courses in Kenya (marketable diploma medical courses in Kenya)

Here now are the best medical diploma courses in Kenya (and going by the courses we have listed above, you should have an idea about the best medical diplomas by now).

1. Diploma in Nursing

Nursing diploma requirements in Kenya

Mean grade: C plain

Cluster subjects requirements:

• Biology: C plain
• English: C plain
• Mathematics/chemistry: C-

You may also be accepted with a certificate in nursing(under the upgrading program) as long as you have met the above cluster subjects requirements.

2. Diploma in Clinical Medicine

Diploma in clinical medicine requirements

KCSE mean grade-C plain

Cluster subjects requirements:

• English or Kiswahili- C
• Biology/Biological Sciences- C
• Chemistry/Physical Science- C-
• Mathematics/Physics/Physical Sciences- C-

3. Diploma in Dental Technology

Diploma in dental technology requirements

KCSE mean grade-C plain

Cluster subjects requirements:

• English or Kiswahili- C
• Physical Science/Physics or Chemistry- C
• Biology – C-
• Metal work/Mathematics/Physics or Chemistry- C-

4. Diploma in medical imaging sciences

With this you can work as a radiologist (Daktari wa picha) – you can start with it if you did not grade the grades to join a degree in radiology directly.

Diploma in radiology requirements

KCSE mean grade-C plain

Cluster subjects requirements- option 1:

• English Language- C (plain)
• Physics -C plain
• Chemistry -C plain
• Biology -C plain
• Maths -C plain

Cluster subjects requirements- option 2:

• English Language -C (plain)
• Physical Sciences -C+ (plus)
• Biological Sciences- C+ (plus)
• Maths- C (plain)

5. Diploma in medical engineering

With this course, you main job will be to make sure that all the equipment/machines/tools used in the hospital that employs you work (you’ll be the fundi of all those machines/equipment in the labs/wards, etc )

Diploma in medical engineering entry requirements

KCSE mean grade-C plain

Cluster subjects requirements:

• English or Kiswahili- C
• Math- C
• Physical Science/Physics – C
• Biology (or Biological Sciences)/Chemistry/Electricity/Metal Work/ Technical Drawing – C-

Note that medical engineers main work is to repair and maintain the machines and devices used in hospitals/medical centres(think of x-ray machines, imaging machines, etc.)

Best medicine courses in Kenya: Other health and health-related courses you can pursue (certificate/diploma/degree)

1. Exercise and sport science
2. Health Promotion and Health Science
3. Recreation and sport management
4. Medical Biochemistry
5. Medical Microbiology
6. Physiotherapy
7. Population Health
8. Community Health & Development/ Community Health Education/Community Health and HIV Management/Community Health and Nutrition/Community oral Health
9. Occupation Health and safety
10. Optometry and Vision Science
11. Paramedic science
12. Midwifery
13. Oral Health
14. Food Nutrition and Dietetics
15. Food Science and Nutrition
16. Technology Nutrition and Dietetics
17. Human Nutrition and Dietetic
18. Biomedical Science and Technology
19. Medical Psychology
20. Pharmaceutical Technology

Medicine and Dental Surgery courses in Kenya: more about medicine courses in Kenya

Professional in medical or health sector protect, promote, and restore the health and well-being of individuals and members of community.

Their focus is mainly to identify, diagnose and treat illnesses.

And as you might be aware, medical professionals operate within all branches of healthcare, including medicine, surgery, dentistry, midwifery, pharmacy, psychology, nursing, public/community health, and allied health professions.

Depending on the area of specialization during study, you can qualify as a doctor, dentist, pharmacist, public health worker, clinician, medical lab assistant, etc.

Don’t forget that every medical professional must abide and fully commit to the ethical principles and values of the profession.

Key skills and interests required to pursue a career in this field

• Compassionate and passionate about handling unwell people
• Active listening skills
• Effective communication skills
• Empathy
• Team spirit
• Ability work under extreme pressure
• Decent ICT Skills
• Ability to manage change

What the job/career/profession entails

Health professional work in teams and provide varied services to patients depending on their area of specialty.

Typically they carry out the following tasks:

• Administer appropriate treatment to patients
• Make ward visits to monitor patients
• Meet patients in private clinics and public hospitals
• Dispense drugs
• Provide nursing care
• Take X-rays and other images
• Research on new drugs

Best medical courses in Kenya: Career Prospects in Medicine and Dental Surgery

Craft certificate holders

• Health Record Officer
• Orthopedic
• Morgue Attendant

Diploma holders

• Community Health Worker
• Nutritionist
• Nurse
• Clinical Officer
• Dental Assistant
• Food Technologist
• Nutritionist
• Midwife
• Radiologist
• Laboratory Technician

Graduates

• Doctor
• Researcher
• Medical Officer
• Dentist
• Radiographer
• Public Health Officer
• Epidemiologist
• Biostatistician
• Veterinarian
• Medical Doctor
• Pharmacist
• Researcher
• Teacher
• Clinical Instructor

Best medical courses in Kenya – frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Which medical course is best in Kenya?

As mentioned, some of the best medical courses in Kenya (when it comes to the number of available opportunities and pay) are:

• Medicine and surgery
• Nursing
• Dental medicine
• Clinical medicine
• Radiography/radio imaging

Wrap up

Needless to say, not all medical courses in Kenya will give a job immediately. Plus, medical courses in Kenya do not pay the same.

The good news is that this list has educated you about the top medical courses in Kenya and the grades you need to study them.

Use it to make an informed decision.

Good luck.

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ALSO READ:

Best medical schools in Kenya / best medical colleges in Kenya including Universities offering medicine and surgery in Kenya

Requirements to study medicine in Kenya (for all courses)

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