What is lab technicians

The role of a teaching laboratory technician is similar, although this work takes place in educational institutions, where it's their job to support science teachers, lecturers and students. The nature of the work will depend upon the organisation where you work.

For example, within an environmental health department you may be involved in analysing food samples to consider prosecution and to protect public health, whereas within the water industry your work will mainly focus on the collection and analysis of water samples.

Large private companies or those that specialise in high-technology areas tend to pay more. Overtime or on-call payments may also be possible. The working week is usually 37 hours. Some additional hours may be required and working within some organisations, such as the NHS, may require shifts and on-call duties.

A pre-entry postgraduate qualification is not required. Entry without a degree is often possible and some posts ask for GCSEs or science-related A-levels or equivalent. You can also find work as a laboratory technician through an apprenticeship. You'll also need excellent record-keeping skills, along with basic maths and computing. As you progress through your career, you may also need to develop management and leadership skills.

Employers value pre-entry experience in a laboratory, as it not only demonstrates your familiarity with lab procedures, but also shows your commitment and interest in the field. Some degrees come with a placement year, which can be a good opportunity to see what working life in the sector is like. If your degree doesn't include a year in industry, try to gain some part-time or voluntary work in a laboratory or scientific setting. You could approach employers to see if it would be possible to work-shadow someone in their organisation.

It's also helpful to stay up to date with developments in the sector. You can get membership or access to useful resources and news from relevant organisations such as:. Your Next Steps Schedule a Visit. Get Info Now! I Want Answers! This represents national, averaged data for the occupations listed and includes workers at all levels of education and experience.

Employment conditions in your area may vary. It has since been updated to include information relevant to There are some errors in the form. Please correct the errors and submit again. By selecting "Submit," I authorize Rasmussen University to contact me by email, phone or text message at the number provided.

There is no obligation to enroll. She is passionate about creating quality resources that empower others to improve their lives through education. Posted in General Health Sciences. Brianna Flavin Ashley Brooks Will Erstad This piece of ad content was created by Rasmussen University to support its educational programs. Rasmussen University may not prepare students for all positions featured within this content.

Please visit www. External links provided on rasmussen. She is a former writer for The Balance Careers. Learn about our editorial policies. Updated on July 18, Lab Technicians vs.

Tab Technologists Lab Technicians Lab Technologists Need an associate degree or certification Need a bachelor's degree Perform lab tests under the supervision of lab technologists and other medical personnel Have a supervisory and authoritative role in laboratories. Key Takeaways Lab technicians collect and process specimens, reporting results to medical personnel. Typical responsibilities include preparing solutions, analyzing samples, and maintaining lab equipment.

To become a lab technician, you need an associate degree or a certificate from a hospital, vocational school, or the Armed Forces. You may also want to obtain certification. Lab technicians are different from lab technologists, who need a minimum of a bachelor's degree and often have supervisory roles in a lab.

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