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What does a lead laboratory technician do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
Quoted expert
Gerald Bergtrom Ph.D.
What does a lead laboratory technician do

A Lead Laboratory Technician coordinates the operations of a laboratory. They supervise the preparation of specimens for tests, collection of blood, examination of blood samples, and other duties performed by the technician team.

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Lead laboratory technician responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real lead laboratory technician resumes:

  • Manage patient, and corporate information with compassion and confidentiality.
  • Set up, adjust, calibrate, clean, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory instruments.
  • Assist with FDA and OSHA audits, coordinate the center for all audits and inspections.
  • Accession patient information, doctor information, and testing information accurately and promptly into the NovoPath LIS system.
  • Develop and execute IQ/OQ/PQ at manufacturing site.
  • Maintain, troubleshoot, verify and calibrate laboratory equipment.
  • Implement bi-directional interface between LabCorp and office laboratory LIS.
  • Process and sort specimens collect according to OSHA and laboratory guidelines.
  • Perform advance level experiments such as distillation, membrane separation, and incubation.
  • Perform high complexity testing in a fast-pace, high volume, FDA regulate environment utilizing regulate documents.
  • Resolve inter-departmental issues, direct laboratory improvements for OSHA compliance, strong medical terminology, rely on previous hospital experience.
  • Edit manuscripts and grants, prepare regulatory documents such as IACUC protocols and IRB applications.
  • Review documentations for GDP compliance.
  • Utilize HPLC, protein bioassays and titration analysis.
  • Perform procedures and calculations for quality controls, including HPLC, GC, instrument calibration, and volumetric titrations.

Lead laboratory technician skills and personality traits

We calculated that 12% of Lead Laboratory Technicians are proficient in Patients, Lab Equipment, and Customer Service. They’re also known for soft skills such as Leadership skills, Problem-solving skills, and Time-management skills.

We break down the percentage of Lead Laboratory Technicians that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Patients, 12%

    Performed medical administrative procedures, professional military education, & provided nursing care to over 100 patients.

  • Lab Equipment, 11%

    Maintained lab equipment for maximum efficiency.

  • Customer Service, 9%

    Work with customer service representatives to confirm shipment orders and order destination/shipment dates.

  • Ongoing Maintenance, 5%

    Oversee and supervise the correct cleaning and ongoing maintenance of optical laboratory tools and equipment as well.

  • Patient Care, 4%

    Network with other hospital departments to coordinate patient care.

  • Chemistry, 4%

    Maintain proficiency as a bench technician rotating through Hematology, Urinalysis, Chemistry and Coagulation.

Most lead laboratory technicians use their skills in "patients," "lab equipment," and "customer service" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential lead laboratory technician responsibilities here:

Leadership skills. The most essential soft skill for a lead laboratory technician to carry out their responsibilities is leadership skills. This skill is important for the role because "to keep the production process running smoothly, industrial production managers must motivate and direct employees." Additionally, a lead laboratory technician resume shows how their duties depend on leadership skills: "advanced math background detail oriented follow instructions good listener gets along well with others leadership qualities team player good personality"

Problem-solving skills. Many lead laboratory technician duties rely on problem-solving skills. "production managers must identify and address problems that arise," so a lead laboratory technician will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways lead laboratory technician responsibilities rely on problem-solving skills: "resolved problems by examining and evaluating data and selecting corrective steps prepared documentation for state, fda and client audits"

Interpersonal skills. A big part of what lead laboratory technicians do relies on "interpersonal skills." You can see how essential it is to lead laboratory technician responsibilities because "industrial production managers must have excellent communication skills to work well other managers and with staff." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical lead laboratory technician tasks: "provided excellent interpersonal and communication skills. "

See the full list of lead laboratory technician skills

Choose from 10+ customizable lead laboratory technician resume templates

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Compare different lead laboratory technicians

Lead laboratory technician vs. Laboratory assistant/phlebotomist

A laboratory assistant/phlebotomist is responsible for drawing blood samples and other laboratory tests, labeling specimens, and performing administrative and clerical duties as needed. Laboratory assistants/phlebotomists should ensure that the laboratory tools and equipment are stored and secured in a safe area, as well as regularly sterilizing testing tools to avoid contamination upon the use of the patients. They must be highly knowledgeable of the medical procedures and processes, responding to the patients' inquiries and concerns, and providing a timely update of medical results.

If we compare the average lead laboratory technician annual salary with that of a laboratory assistant/phlebotomist, we find that laboratory assistant/phlebotomists typically earn a $19,677 lower salary than lead laboratory technicians make annually.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both lead laboratory technician and laboratory assistant/phlebotomist positions are skilled in patients, customer service, and patient care.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between lead laboratory technicians and laboratory assistant/phlebotomist. For instance, lead laboratory technician responsibilities require skills such as "lab equipment," "ongoing maintenance," "customer satisfaction," and "math." Whereas a laboratory assistant/phlebotomist is skilled in "blood specimens," "phlebotomy procedures," "specimen collection," and "lab specimens." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Laboratory assistant/phlebotomists tend to reach similar levels of education than lead laboratory technicians. In fact, laboratory assistant/phlebotomists are 4.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.8% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Lead laboratory technician vs. Clinical technician

A clinical technician is responsible for operating and maintaining clinical equipment, ensuring the proper sterilization of all laboratory tools and kits to avoid contamination during medical procedures. Clinical technicians assist the patients with their medical inquiries and needs, collecting samples for laboratory, and helping medical professionals on surgeries and other medical operations. They also maintain medical charts, update patients' information on the database, and administer patients' medication. A clinical technician must have excellent knowledge of the medical industry, as well as strictly following internal guidelines and safety procedures during operations.

A career as a clinical technician brings a lower average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a lead laboratory technician. In fact, clinical technicians salary is $18,470 lower than the salary of lead laboratory technicians per year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Lead laboratory technicians and clinical technicians both require similar skills like "patients," "customer service," and "phlebotomy" to carry out their responsibilities.

Each career also uses different skills, according to real lead laboratory technician resumes. While lead laboratory technician responsibilities can utilize skills like "lab equipment," "ongoing maintenance," "patient care," and "chemistry," clinical technicians use skills like "vital signs," "direct patient care," "ekg," and "patient rooms."

On average, clinical technicians earn a lower salary than lead laboratory technicians. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, clinical technicians earn the most pay in the government industry with an average salary of $40,404. Whereas lead laboratory technicians have higher pay in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $61,104.In general, clinical technicians achieve similar levels of education than lead laboratory technicians. They're 1.6% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.8% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for lead laboratory technicians in the next 3-5 years?

Gerald Bergtrom Ph.D.Gerald Bergtrom Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Professor of Biological Sciences (Emeritus) & Teaching & Learning Consultant, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

-In any STEM field, predicting, recognizing, and fighting climate change looms large. In the life sciences, detecting the effects of environmental change at the species, individual, cellular, and molecular level will be increasingly necessary.
-Medical science will need to respond to new challenges arising out of climate change and the aging population. Supported (as always) by basic sciences, medical science will focus on big-picture biology, represented by the ever-growing number of "...omics". These include genomics, proteomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics... and the enabling technologies that let us look at a lot of genes, gene products, and biochemical reactions at the same time. Finally, the ever-improving gene-editing technologies can lead to the treatment of disease, leading to a greater understanding of the disease and biological process in general.

Lead 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.

An average laboratory coordinator eans a lower salary compared to the average salary of lead laboratory technicians. The difference in salaries amounts to laboratory coordinators earning a $1,540 lower average salary than lead laboratory technicians.Using the responsibilities included on lead laboratory technicians and laboratory coordinators resumes, we found that both professions have similar skill requirements, such as "patients," "lab equipment," and "patient care.rdquo;

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a lead laboratory technician is likely to be skilled in "customer service," "ongoing maintenance," "safety procedures," and "customer satisfaction," while a typical laboratory coordinator is skilled in "laboratory safety," "osha," "qc," and "research assistants."

Laboratory coordinators earn the best pay in the pharmaceutical industry, where they command an average salary of $57,789. Lead laboratory technicians earn the highest pay from the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $61,104.When it comes to education, laboratory coordinators tend to earn higher degree levels compared to lead laboratory technicians. In fact, they're 9.5% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 1.8% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Lead 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.

Laboratory supervisors typically earn higher pay than lead laboratory technicians. On average, laboratory supervisors earn a $13,131 higher salary per year.According to resumes from lead laboratory technicians and laboratory supervisors, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "patients," "lab equipment," and "customer service. "While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "ongoing maintenance," "math," "data entry," and "preventive maintenance" are skills that commonly show up on lead laboratory technician resumes. On the other hand, laboratory supervisors use skills like clinical laboratory, osha, performance evaluations, and regulatory agencies on their resumes.The health care industry tends to pay the highest salaries for laboratory supervisors, with average annual pay of $77,667. Comparatively, the highest lead laboratory technician annual salary comes from the manufacturing industry.The average resume of laboratory supervisors showed that they earn higher levels of education compared to lead laboratory technicians. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 5.8% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.3%.

Types of lead laboratory technician

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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