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Laboratory Technicians

Laboratory technicians carry out routine laboratory tests and checks, and perform a variety of technical support functions requiring the application of established or prescribed procedures and techniques to assist scientists with their research, development, analysis and testing, and to verify the physical, chemical and other characteristics of materials and products.

Wages

New workers
AVERAGE
Experienced
£ 12,913
£ 20,966
£ 34,188

New workers start around £12,913. Normal pay is £20,966 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to £34,188.

Available jobs

In the past year there were 71,798 vacancies for this type of job

2.61%

Projected job growth over the next 8 years

Related courses

People work towards these careers by taking these courses at college and uni.

What they do most days?

  • Records and collates data obtained from experimental work and documents all work carried out.

  • Operates and services specialised scientific equipment, undertakes prescribed measurements and analyses and ensures that sterile conditions necessary for some equipment are maintained.

  • Grows cultures of bacteria and viruses, prepares tissue sections and other organic and inorganic material for examination and stains and fixes slides for microscope work.

  • Prepares and analyses body fluids, secretions and/or tissue to detect infections or to examine the effects of different drugs.

  • Sets up and assists with the construction and the development of scientific apparatus for experimental, demonstration or other purposes.

Hard Skills

Hard skills are specific, learnable, measurable, often industry or occupation-specific abilities related to a position.

Skills are ranked based on the number of job adverts that list them as required skills.

  • Medical Laboratory

  • Chemistry

  • Biology

  • Laboratory Experience

  • Laboratory Equipment

  • Housekeeping

  • Clinical Research

  • Clinical Trials

  • Auditing

  • Standard Operating Procedure

Soft Skills

Soft skills can be self-taught and usually do not necessitate a certain completed level of education.

Skills are ranked based on the number of job adverts that list them as required skills.

  • Communications

  • Detail Oriented

  • Research

  • Management

  • Mathematics

  • Customer Service

  • Teaching

  • Quality Control

  • Organizational Skills

  • Problem Solving

How do I get a job like this?

People in these types of job started their career paths after studying courses like the ones below.

Routes to this career

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