What does a test laboratory technician do?
A test laboratory technician is responsible for conducting laboratory tests to diagnose patients' conditions and identify their treatment plans. Test laboratory technicians safely operate laboratory tools and equipment, adhering to the strict safety standards and regulations to avoid contamination and prevent potential hazards within the laboratory. They also maintain the cleanliness of the area, as well as sanitizing the instruments and properly segregating disposable materials. A test laboratory technician analyzes results and writes medical reports under the supervision of an attending physician or medical technologist.
Test laboratory technician responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real test laboratory technician resumes:
- Manage patient, and corporate information with compassion and confidentiality.
- Used LabVIEW to collect data from measurement equipment (transducers, etc . )
- Assist in the design of all RF and environmental fixtures need to test these components.
- Assist product engineering to make changes to products in order to meet UL and CSA standards.
- Test soil, asphalt, and concrete samples for moisture, density, durability, and other characteristics.
- Test done on the asphalt must pass due to the specification of GDOT specs for the contractor to use.
- Conduct a multitude of different tests on a variety of product types in accordance with AMMA and ASTM standards.
- Work with production areas to troubleshoot process issues and determine the best course of action in relation to customer requirements.
- Perform RF and environmental testing on electronic components.
- Install, calibrate and maintain various transducers and instrumentation.
- Test and repair PC boards used in telecommunications equipment.
- Operate semi-automated or automate test equipment in order to diagnose return PC boards.
- Verify prototype functionality and design before either release to potential customer or starting production.
- Reassemble machines for horizontal and vertical configurations adjust mechanical parts and troubleshoot electronic and electrical circuits.
- Perform sustainability testing on incoming plastic samples and measure electricity thresholds to facilitate manufacturers' UL.
Test laboratory technician skills and personality traits
We calculated that 8% of Test Laboratory Technicians are proficient in Test Equipment, Troubleshoot, and Test Results. They’re also known for soft skills such as Math skills, Mechanical skills, and Observational skills.
We break down the percentage of Test Laboratory Technicians that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Test Equipment, 8%
Calibrated and ensured accuracy of measurement components and equipment using standard and advanced test equipment.
- Troubleshoot, 7%
Reassembled machines for horizontal and vertical configurations adjust mechanical parts and troubleshoot electronic and electrical circuits.
- Test Results, 6%
Prepared machined specimens for testing and carefully recorded and analyzed test results.
- Test Lab, 6%
Coordinate test laboratory activities and maintenance and repairs.
- Test Methods, 5%
Author and implement unique test methods to enhance testing capabilities.
- Data Collection, 5%
Carried out product testing protocols and data collection as directed by the Senior Lab Technician or Product Design Engineers.
Common skills that a test laboratory technician uses to do their job include "test equipment," "troubleshoot," and "test results." You can find details on the most important test laboratory technician responsibilities below.
Math skills. One of the key soft skills for a test laboratory technician to have is math skills. You can see how this relates to what test laboratory technicians do because "electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians use mathematics for analysis, design, and troubleshooting tasks." Additionally, a test laboratory technician resume shows how test laboratory technicians use math skills: "preform quantitative tests within accordance to iso standards. "
Mechanical skills. Another essential skill to perform test laboratory technician duties is mechanical skills. Test laboratory technicians responsibilities require that "electronic engineering technologists and technicians must use hand tools and soldering irons on small circuitry and electronic parts to build components by hand." Test laboratory technicians also use mechanical skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "performed a combination of duties between reliability technician i and mechanical test lab technician i titles. "
Writing skills. test laboratory technician responsibilities often require "writing skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians write reports about onsite construction, design problems, or testing results." This resume example shows what test laboratory technicians do with writing skills on a typical day: "detailed documentation of test results and writing of technical work instructions and lab procedures. "
The three companies that hire the most test laboratory technicians are:
- ZF Group7 test laboratory technicians jobs
- Boeing4 test laboratory technicians jobs
- Universal Engineering Sciences4 test laboratory technicians jobs
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Compare different test laboratory technicians
Test laboratory technician vs. Medical technologist, generalist
A Medical Technologist Generalist performs day-to-day operations in the laboratory such as routine testing, quality control, and maintenance of instruments. They also develop, perform, and evaluate the accuracy of laboratory procedures.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between test laboratory technicians and medical technologist, generalist. For instance, test laboratory technician responsibilities require skills such as "test equipment," "test results," "test lab," and "test methods." Whereas a medical technologist, generalist is skilled in "patients," "clinical laboratory," "hematology," and "patient care." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Medical technologists, generalist earn the highest salaries when working in the health care industry, with an average yearly salary of $60,952. On the other hand, test laboratory technicians are paid more in the technology industry with an average salary of $76,025.The education levels that medical technologists, generalist earn slightly differ from test laboratory technicians. In particular, medical technologists, generalist are 3.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a test laboratory technician. Additionally, they're 0.5% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Test laboratory technician vs. Medical technologist
A medical technologist's role is to conduct laboratory tests with accuracy and speed. It is their responsibility to gather, prepare, and analyze samples such as blood, tissues, and bodily fluid. The produced results will be crucial to a patient's diagnosis and further treatments. It is also essential for medical technologists to keep a precise record of data and coordinate with fellow team members and physicians to ensure the fast and efficient delivery of results. Furthermore, a medical technologist can choose to work in different establishments such as a hospital, laboratory, or private clinic.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, test laboratory technician responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "test equipment," "test results," "test lab," and "test methods." Meanwhile, a medical technologist has duties that require skills in areas such as "patients," "clinical laboratory," "ascp," and "customer service." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
On average, medical technologists earn a higher salary than test laboratory technicians. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, medical technologists earn the most pay in the health care industry with an average salary of $54,453. Whereas test laboratory technicians have higher pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $76,025.In general, medical technologists achieve similar levels of education than test laboratory technicians. They're 2.3% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.5% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for test laboratory technicians in the next 3-5 years?
Gerald Bergtrom Ph.D.
Professor of Biological Sciences (Emeritus) & Teaching & Learning Consultant, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
-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.
Test laboratory technician vs. Hemodialysis technician
A dialysis technician is responsible for the control and maintenance of a dialysis machine. Dialysis technicians' duties include monitoring the stable performance of the equipment, assisting patients on the dialysis process, and adhering to the safety standards and protocols on the dialysis operation all the time. A dialysis technician also reports to the respective doctors and nurses for any concerns and possible emergency scenarios. Dialysis technicians must also sterilize all equipment before usage to ensure its cleanliness, avoiding possible infection for patients.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from test laboratory technician resumes include skills like "test equipment," "troubleshoot," "test results," and "test lab," whereas a hemodialysis technician is more likely to list skills in "patients," "vital signs," "cpr," and "direct patient care. "
Hemodialysis technicians earn the best pay in the health care industry, where they command an average salary of $41,070. Test laboratory technicians earn the highest pay from the technology industry, with an average salary of $76,025.Most hemodialysis technicians achieve a similar degree level compared to test laboratory technicians. For example, they're 1.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Test laboratory technician vs. Dialysis technician
Types of test laboratory technician
Updated January 8, 2025
