What does a Laboratory Technician do?
Laboratory technicians are medical professionals who work in the laboratory. They are responsible for the equipment in the laboratory, making sure tools are properly sanitized and sterilized after every use. They also ensure that laboratory equipment works well. Laboratory technicians may also be responsible for collecting and testing samples from patients. They prepare solutions and other chemicals that may be needed for testing. They also provide an analysis of the samples that they tested. Laboratory technicians ensure that all items in the laboratory are properly labeled and organized.
Laboratory technician responsibilities
Laboratory technicians play a crucial role in scientific research and development. They often conduct complex experimentation, collect and analyze data, and maintain laboratory equipment. According to Bonnie Cantrell, Chemical Hygiene Officer at the College of Idaho, "Chemistry is the backbone to most protocols for the material, medical, and biological sciences." This highlights the importance of laboratory technicians in various fields. They may also prepare samples for analysis, perform data entry, and interpret results. Additionally, they ensure efficient laboratory function by complying with safety regulations and maintaining organization.
Here are examples of responsibilities from real laboratory technician resumes:
- Lead aerobic, anaerobic and UV light testing, chemical residue testing and centrifuge to separate chemicals from water.
- Manage patient, and corporate information with compassion and confidentiality.
- Analyze and paid attention to detail as well as demonstrated excellent organization skills, manual dexterity and good eyesight.
- Monitor patients' blood pressure and heart rate with EKG equipment and notify physician is something appears to be wrong.
- Monitor several color formulations being manufacture in the production department to ensure manufacturing procedures are follow per ISO and GMP.
- Perform age appropriate phlebotomy while working with critically or terminally ill patients, with careful respect for individual and/or cultural concerns.
- Perform routine specimen processing, analysis and resulting of hematology, microbiology, chemistry, urinalysis, serology and blood samples.
- Perform western blots and southern blots, ELISA, RIA, and dot-blots.
- Create assay worksheets for sample testing.
- Run all stat orders for urgent aid.
- Prepare, maintain and evaluate SPC charts.
- Perform metals screening utilizing the ICP and AA.
- Organize and maintain QA for laboratory clean room.
- Record results of chemical tests for SPC analysis.
- Certify in basic life support, including CPR.
Laboratory technician skills and personality traits
We calculated that 17% of Laboratory Technicians are proficient in Patients, Lab Equipment, and Customer Service. They’re also known for soft skills such as Ability to use technology, Interpersonal skills, and Observation skills.
We break down the percentage of Laboratory Technicians that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Patients, 17%
Provided detailed reports on concentrations of key antigens or antibody responses to determine infection/exposure status of patients and experimental animals.
- Lab Equipment, 8%
Assisted and advised other lab workers, performed maintenance/repair of lab equipment and ordered laboratory supplies as required.
- Customer Service, 6%
Provided high-level customer service to medical hospital and laboratory vendors, insure order accuracy and resolved problems with corrective actions.
- Basic Math, 4%
Performed basic mathematical calculations and data manipulations, which require the use of a computer or calculator.
- Test Results, 4%
Performed routine and complex microbiological laboratory tests in the Infectious Disease Division to provide rapid and accurate laboratory test results.
- Math, 4%
Tutored students in math, science, and computer classes on a walk-in and scheduled basis with marked improvement in scores.
Most laboratory technicians use their skills in "patients," "lab equipment," and "customer service" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential laboratory technician responsibilities here:
Interpersonal skills. Another essential skill to perform laboratory technician duties is interpersonal skills. Laboratory technicians responsibilities require that "chemical technicians must work well as part of a team that often includes scientists, engineers, and other technicians." Laboratory technicians also use interpersonal skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "cited for excellence in interpersonal communications, teamwork, customer service, flexibility and reliability. "
Analytical skills. Another crucial skill for a laboratory technician to carry out their responsibilities is "analytical skills." A big part of what laboratory technicians relies on this skill, since "chemical technicians must be methodical in conducting scientific experiments and interpreting data." How this skill relates to laboratory technician duties can be seen in an example from a laboratory technician resume snippet: "performed monthly/quarterly maintenance in accordance with fda compliance and avoided analyzer downtime. "
Communication skills. Lastly, "communication skills" is an important element of what a laboratory technician does. Laboratory technician responsibilities require this skill because "chemical technicians must explain their work to scientists and engineers or to workers who may not have a technical background." This resume example highlights how laboratory technician duties rely on this skill: "maintained record keeping and daily communication with operations, team leads, management, and fda inspectors. "
The three companies that hire the most laboratory technicians are:
- Aya Healthcare688 laboratory technicians jobs
- Soliant372 laboratory technicians jobs
- Aspen Dental208 laboratory technicians jobs
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Compare different laboratory technicians
Laboratory technician vs. Chemical technician
A chemical technician is responsible for supporting chemists and laboratory technicians in performing laboratory investigations and examining chemical components and structures. Chemical technicians ensure the stability of laboratory tools and equipment, performing proper sterilization and segregation of disposable materials, and maintaining the adequacy of inventory. They also record the research progress, including scientific methods, and write observation reports for reference. A chemical technician manages the cleanliness and orderliness of the facility to avoid potential hazards and complications during chemical operations.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a laboratory technician are more likely to require skills like "patients," "customer service," "basic math," and "dexterity." On the other hand, a job as a chemical technician requires skills like "safety procedures," "chemical inventory," "analytical equipment," and "hazardous waste." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Chemical technicians tend to make the most money working in the pharmaceutical industry, where they earn an average salary of $66,439. In contrast, laboratory technicians make the biggest average salary, $38,662, in the health care industry.On average, chemical technicians reach similar levels of education than laboratory technicians. Chemical technicians are 2.1% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.6% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Laboratory technician vs. Laboratory coordinator
A laboratory coordinator is responsible for supporting laboratory examinations and experiments, collecting laboratory samples, and ensuring the efficiency and performance of laboratory tools and equipment. Laboratory coordinators maintain the cleanliness and orderliness of the laboratory facility at all times to avoid contaminations and hazards that may affect laboratory results and accuracy of examinations. They also perform scientific processes under the supervision of a scientist or laboratory technicians and keep an organized report of findings in the database.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that laboratory technician responsibilities requires skills like "customer service," "basic math," "math," and "dexterity." But a laboratory coordinator might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "patient care," "chemistry," "laboratory safety," and "qc."
On average, laboratory coordinators earn a higher salary than laboratory technicians. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, laboratory coordinators earn the most pay in the pharmaceutical industry with an average salary of $57,789. Whereas laboratory technicians have higher pay in the health care industry, with an average salary of $38,662.In general, laboratory coordinators achieve higher levels of education than laboratory technicians. They're 10.2% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.6% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Laboratory Technicians in the next 3-5 years?
Bryan Spiegelberg Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Molecular Sciences, Rider University
Laboratory technician vs. Laboratory supervisor
The primary job of laboratory supervisors is to oversee the daily operations of laboratories. They are responsible for facilitating the collection, analysis, and interpretation of laboratory results. Other responsibilities include supervising personnel, managing the operating budget of the laboratory, and hiring employees. Laboratory supervisors are responsible for overseeing quality assurance and enforcing practices to ensure quality control within the laboratory. Aside from these tasks, they also manage the acquisition of laboratory equipment and supplies and resolve any technical or administrative issues within the laboratory.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from laboratory technician resumes include skills like "basic math," "math," "dexterity," and "data entry," whereas a laboratory supervisor is more likely to list skills in "clinical laboratory," "chemistry," "patient care," and "corrective action. "
Laboratory supervisors make a very good living in the health care industry with an average annual salary of $77,667. On the other hand, laboratory technicians are paid the highest salary in the health care industry, with average annual pay of $38,662.Most laboratory supervisors achieve a higher degree level compared to laboratory technicians. For example, they're 6.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.7% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Laboratory technician vs. Quality control technician
Usually assigned in a manufacturing plant, a quality control technician's role focuses on testing and assessing materials before, after, and during a production process to ensure its efficiency. They also have responsibilities in implementing the policies and regulations of the company, all to maintain a safe and productive working environment for every employee. Furthermore, a quality control technician must produce necessary reports and documentation, coordinate with managers and supervisors, maintain accurate documentation, and oversee a team to secure quality standard outcomes.
Types of laboratory technician
Updated June 25, 2024
