What Is Lab Tech or Laboratory Technician? A lab tech or laboratory technician is a scientific and technical worker who assists scientists in laboratories. Also, a lab technician can be seen as a professional who is involved in every segment of laboratory work. It ranges from taking records of data to maintaining equipment. Therefore, they’re responsible for various tasks that follow strict guidelines and regulations. He is responsible for handling sensitive equipment, analyzing samples or substances, and conducting tests to create reports for the lab manager.
What Is Job Lab Technician?
A job lab technician is the type of job that involved a scientific investigations by carrying out a routine technical tasks and experiments. However, this work required a lab technicians to work with laboratory equipment to analyze samples or substances. In many cases, they conduct tests on those samples or substances, and report on their findings.
What Are The Responsibilities of A Lab Technician?
For instance, in order to be successful as a lab technician you need to be meticulous when carrying out your duties, carefully maintain records of laboratory processes and equipment and generate reports to submit to the relevant laboratory manager.
In that case, the following are the duties of a lab technician.
1. Recording all experimental data and test results correctly and in the specified format (written and/or electronic.)
2. Ensuring that safety guidelines are adhered to at all times within the laboratory.
3. Maintaining daily logs and equipment record books.
4. Cleaning, sterilizing, maintaining, and calibrating laboratory equipment.
5. Organizing and storing all chemical substances, fluids, and compressed gases according to safety instructions.
6. Designing and executing laboratory testing in line with standard testing procedures, recording observations, and interpreting findings.
7. Collecting, receiving, labeling, and/ analyzing samples or substances using the correct testing equipment, when needed.
8. Ordering laboratory supplies, as needed.
9. Keeping up to date with relevant scientific and technical development.
10. Providing technical support, when necessary.
What Are The Lab Technician Requirements?
1.Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
2. Working knowledge of MS Office Suite and database systems.
3. Ability to work autonomously and under pressure.
4. Bachelor’s degree in biology, chemistry, or a related field.
5. Proven experience working as a lab technician.
6. Working experience operating electrical and non-electrical laboratory equipment.
7. Valid laboratory technician license.
8. Comfortable handling potentially dangerous substances (flammable liquids, biohazards, etc.)
9. In depth knowledge of QHSE management systems, preventative measures, and laboratory best practices.
10. Superb dexterity and hand-eye coordination.
11. Superb dexterity and hand-eye coordination.
12. Keen attention to detail.
What are the Key Skills for Laboratory Technicians?
furthermore, it is very important to note the key skills required for a lab technicians, which are:
.The ability to learn and use complex laboratory equipment.
.Meticulous attention to detail.
.Excellent written and oral communication skills .
.Good teamworking skills .
.Analytical skills .
.Time management.
.The ability to keep detailed records.
How do I become a Certified Lab Technician?
However, lab technician jobs have different requirements, and particular employers will seek particular qualities in potential employees. Unlike many other scientific jobs, it is not normally required to have completed a particular degree programmed in order to become a lab technician, however, it may be highly valued or considered needful to advance into other jobs in a similar field. Lab technician apprenticeships and jobs are normally advertised on an entry-level basis and tend to be contract-based. Many lab technicians enter this career through apprenticeships or work placements, and some jobs offer the chance for training and qualifications alongside employment such as the End-Point Assessment, requiring technicians to meet the Laboratory Technician Apprenticeship Standard.
What Is The Salary Rate of a Lab Technician?
presently, the starting salary rate of a typical lab tech ranges from £17,500 to £19,000, depending on your qualifications at entry. furthermore, according to Indeed Salaries, the average pay for a Lab Technician in Canada is $24.76 per hour. This can vary depending on experience, location or type of company that is hiring.
Firstly, with some experience, you can expect to earn £22,000 to £28,000.
Secondly, for senior, management or supervisory roles, salaries can be in the range of £30,000 to £40,000.
Firstly, large private companies or those that specialize in high-technology areas tend to pay more. Overtime or on-call payments may also be possible.
Just note that income figures are intended as a guide only.
How many Hours Does a Lab Technician Work?
Note, the working hour of a lab technician ranging from 7 hours to 20′ min per day and 37 hours per week . Nevertheless, some additional hours may be required and working within some organizations, such as the NHS, may require shifts and on-call duties.
What Are The Things To Expect As A Lab Technician?
The things to expect as a lab technician are: Firstly, the technician need know that work is often carried out in teams with scientists and other technicians. Secondly, you’ll always work in sterile laboratories where you’ll have to wear protective clothing, but there may be occasional trips out to collect or deliver specimens or to take measurements.
Thirdly, you’ll have to follow strict health and safety procedures and may be exposed to hazardous chemicals, dust, biological waste, bodily fluids, fumes and toxic waste.
Some degree of lifting and heavy work is likely with the daily moving of equipment, machinery, samples and supplies. Hence, jobs are available throughout the UK as laboratories are situated in most towns and cities.
Finally, some industries require fieldwork to be carried out, which may involve travel within a working day. Absence from home overnight is generally uncommon but may be required in some circumstances.
What Does a Lab Technician Do?
Firstly, the role of a Lab Technician comprises laboratory procedures as they help to produce reliable and important reports or results for experiments undertaken by Scientists. Secondly, in many cases, a Lab Technician will set up experiments and investigations. However, the setting up of experiments could include preparing solutions or specimens, disposing of chemicals or waste products safely, and cleaning the lab equipment used. Finally, once the experiments are done, they will collect and analyze the results. However, a Laboratory Technician may also be responsible for presenting findings to executives or Managers.
In conclusion
A lab technician is a scientific worker who assists scientists in laboratories to process and record results appropriately. He also help in aiding routine procedures that take in laboratory.