Laboratory Testing Technicians: Job Description, Education, Skills, Abilities, Duties, Earnings and Outlook
Submitted by: paula
Job Overview As the title implies, laboratory testing technicians are types of technicians who conduct numerous tests on different substances and products. The duties in the laboratory include conducting measurements and evaluation of the laboratory materials as well as running quality control tests. They are employed by different industries and unrelated fields which include manufacturing, meteorology, medicine, geology, to name a few. The most sought after fields to practice this career include that of the metallurgical, pharmaceutical and medical technologies.
Education, Knowledge and Trainings Required
The minimum requirement to get in this kind of career is a possession of a high school diploma alone. However, for faster employment and promotion, it is recommended to take a two year associate's degree in engineering, medical technology or metallurgy which would depend on the choice of the specialization.
Skills and Abilities
As a laboratory testing technician, the most highly regarded skills are the mechanical and manipulative skills, analytical and critical thinking skills as well as helping and and collaborative working skills. As expected, they should be well versed with the terminologies involved in the practice of the specialized profession in their chosen industry. Aside from this, as they will be working with scientists and co technicians, helping and collaborative skills will be very helpful. It is expected of them to be very adept with the use of the equipment and instruments in the laboratory as well in in doing analysis of every test that they conduct.
Duties
Laboratory testing technicians are usually assistants of scientists. They help them in almost all phases of the study being conducted in the laboratories. They conduct tests on various substances and various products. As such, they are very much trained and adept in using various tools and instruments that are needed in every study. There are several titles under the umbrella career of a laboratory testing technician. These include materials technicians, quality control technicians, medical and clinical technicians, and geological technicians. All these are named in accordance to the field of specialty or to the industry where these technicians are working for. In general, and regardless of the field of choice, laboratory testing technicians test products or samples to see to it that they meet the performance specifications and are safe for the use of the public. Aside from the test of durability and safety, they also perform failure analysis so as to determine the potential causes of failures and how these can be prevented.
Earnings and Job Outlook
The range of salary for a laboratory testing technician in general ranges from 20,000 U.S. dollars to 31,000 U.S. dollars per annum. Others who are in full time position and have advanced well in the hierarchy, may earn around or over 47,000 U.S. dollars annually. The job outlook for this profession is expected to move as fast as the average for the other professions.
Paula Hiz is a researcher and a human resource specialist who helps newly graduates, job applicants and post graduate professionals be aware of their job opportunities and available trainings for skills and practice upgrading.
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