Profession scientific laboratory technician
Scientific laboratory technicians carry out laboratory-based research, analysis and testing and support life science professionals. They sample, test, measure, research and analyse in areas such as biology, biotechnology, environmental science, forensic science and pharmacology. Scientific laboratory technicians also observe and monitor laboratory activities, record test sequences and analyse the results.
Would you like to know what kind of career and professions suit you best? Take our free Holland code career test and find out.
Personality Type
Knowledge
- Laboratory techniques
Techniques applied in the different fields of natural science in order to obtain experimental data such as gravimetric analysis, gas chromatography, electronic or thermic methods.
Skills
- Work safely with chemicals
Take the necessary precautions for storing, using and disposing chemical products.
- Use chemical analysis equipment
Use the laboratory equipment such as Atomic Absorption equimpent, PH and conductivity meters or salt spray chambre.
- Wear appropriate protective gear
Wear relevant and necessary protective gear, such as protective goggles or other eye protection, hard hats, safety gloves.
- Operate scientific measuring equipment
Operate devices, machinery, and equipment designed for scientific measurement. Scientific equipment consists of specialised measuring instruments refined to facilitate the acquisition of data.
- Perform laboratory tests
Carry out tests in a laboratory to produce reliable and precise data to support scientific research and product testing.
- Test chemical samples
Perform the testing procedures on the already prepared chemical samples, by using the necessary equipment and materials. Chemical sample testing involves operations such as pipetting or diluting schemes.
- Prepare samples for testing
Take and prepare samples for testing, verify their representability; avoid bias and any possibility of accidental or deliberate contamination. Provide clear numbering, labelling and recording of the sample details, in order to make sure that the results can be accurately matched to the original material.
- Maintain laboratory equipment
Clean laboratory glassware and other equipment after use and inspect it for damage or corrosion in order to ensure its proper functioning.
- Calibrate laboratory equipment
Calibrate laboratory equipment by comparing between measurements: one of known magnitude or correctness, made with a trusted device and a second measurement from another piece of laboratory equipment. Make the measurements in as similar a way as possible.
- Record test data
Record data which has been identified specifically during preceding tests in order to verify that outputs of the test produce specific results or to review the reaction of the subject under exceptional or unusual input.
- Perform sample testing
Examine and perform tests on prepared samples; avoid any possibility of accidental or deliberate contamination during the testing phase. Operate sampling equipment in line with design parameters.
- Apply safety procedures in laboratory
Make sure that laboratory equipment is used in a safe manner and the handling of samples and specimens is correct. Work to ensure the validity of results obtained in research.
- Mix chemicals
Mix chemical substances safely according to recipe, using the proper dosages.
Optional knowledge and skills
check the received biological samples maintain healthcare user data confidentiality chemistry manage supplies interpret medical results blood collection on babies send biological samples to laboratory examine cell specimens microscopically microbiology-bacteriology immunology answer patients' questions techniques of blood-sampling maintain medical laboratory equipment monitor stock level archive scientific documentation develop scientific research protocols assist in the production of laboratory documentation order supplies label samples perform bone marrow transplant carry out quality control in microbiology laboratories assist scientific research sterilise medical equipment analyse test data blood donation analyse experimental laboratory data collect biological samples from patients automated analysers in the medical laboratory identify patients' medical records clinical biochemistry work with chemicals paediatric phlebotomy procedures analyse blood samples virology report test findings check material rescources dispose medical waste blood transfusion clinical cytology manage chemical testing procedures communicate effectively in healthcare fine-needle aspiration analyse cell cultures interpret hematological test results ensure compliance with environmental legislation execute analytical mathematical calculations collect samples for analysis biological chemistry label blood samples biology histopathology transport blood samples mathematics physics blood type classification microscopic techniques manage chemical processes inspection data protection archive healthcare users' recordsSource: Sisyphus ODB