How to become a Lab Technician

173

494

£25,000/y

avg. starting salary

Want a career that gets a positive reaction? You should become a Lab Technician… Lab Technicians work alongside Scientists in a laboratory, helping them to carry out a range of experiments and investigations. They could work in labs that focus on various areas of research and analysis, from forensics and scientific studies, to medicine and education. So whether their research is used to develop new products or diagnose diseases, a Lab Technician’s role plays a big part in improving our daily lives, and the environment we live in. Duties for a Lab Technician could include:

Ordering, distributing, and maintaining lab supplies
Cleaning and sterilising glassware
Assessing lab activity risks
Organising and setting up experiments, trials, and investigations
Collecting, testing, and analysing samples
Keeping records and presenting findings
Using safe disposal methods to discard waste
Demonstrating scientific procedures if based in an educational setting

If you’re always trying to get to the bottom of things, becoming a Lab Technician could be the perfect career move for you. An interest in science and problem solving combined with an analytical mind are also key attributes to becoming a good Lab Technician – and, because a lot of your role will involve experimenting with a range of (often microscopic) samples and specimens, a meticulous eye for detail is equally essential. Clumsy people need not apply… (Unless you’re good at covering up accidental Bunsen burner related fires). A Lab Technician should also have:

An independent work ethic
Excellent communication skills
An ability to work in a team
Initiative
Good IT skills
A technical and inquisitive mind
Knowledge of scientific practices and equipment

Lab Technician

Up to £25,000

Lab Manager

Up to £30,000

Biomedical Scientist

Up to £35,000

"I work as a Lab Technician in a neurology lab, specialising in the examination of Parkinson’s disease in post-mortem brain tissue. In a nutshell, my role involves assisting a research team, and working with professors and science students to carry out experiments – and to make sure the lab reagents are stocked and maintained. It’s really exciting to know that the research I’m supporting could help to develop life-changing medicine, and I genuinely enjoy my job. It’s also a great place to start if you’re looking to pursue a career in science – although many Lab Technician roles can be contract-based, so it’s worth considering studying for a PhD if you’re looking for something more permanent."

Get qualified

You won’t usually need a degree to become a Lab Technician, and roles in this field are normally advertised on an entry-level basis. However, most employers will consider a minimum of four GCSEs (including science, maths, and English) a prerequisite, and any higher qualifications (such as relevant A levels or a degree) may help you stand out. [course title="Discount Courses" link="http://www.reed.co.uk/courses/discount?utm_medium=website&utm_source=career_guides&utm_campaign=extras&utm_content=&CampaignCode=cou_web_car_advc_na_"] Learning doesn't always have to come at a cost. Huge discounts available on courses right now.[/course] [course title="Courses to Buy Now" link="http://www.reed.co.uk/courses/buy-now?utm_medium=website&utm_source=career_guides&utm_campaign=extras&utm_content=&CampaignCode=cou_web_car_advc_na_"] In a hurry to get qualified? reed.co.uk has over 5,000 courses you can enrol on today. [/course]

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