What Exactly Is a Laboratory Technician?

A career as a laboratory technician may be appealing if you are interested in science and research and enjoy working as part of a team.  With a low barrier to entry, a laboratory technician role is a good way to learn whether you might want to pursue further education and more advanced roles in a lab. Learning about what a laboratory technician does, the work environment and educational requirements can help you decide if this role is for you.

In this article, we discuss the primary duties of a laboratory technician, required skills, average salary and steps you need to take to become a laboratory technician yourself.

What is a Laboratory Technician?

A laboratory technician is a skilled individual who helps industry scientists conduct research, testing and experiments. They often work closely with other members on a laboratory team.

What does a Laboratory Technician do?

The specific responsibilities that a laboratory technician has vary depending on the lab and specific industry they're working in. Laboratory technicians in the pharmaceutical industry could work in production and manufacturing or in research and development, while a medical laboratory technician spends their time performing tests on blood, tissue and other body fluids. Some examples of tasks they may perform, regardless of their industry, include:

•Preparing for experiments

•Monitoring experiments while they run

•Taking accurate notes about what happened during the experiment and what the end result was

•Preparing and testing samples

•Cleaning laboratory equipment

•Writing reports about the work that the laboratory is doing

•Mixing compounds

•Liaising with suppliers as necessary

How much does a Laboratory Technician make?

The national average salary for laboratory technicians is $21.37 per hour, although salary varies depending on education, experience and geographic location. The highest paying cities in the United States for laboratory technicians are San Diego, California; Memphis, Tennessee; Chicago, Illinois; and Austin, Texas.

Laboratory technicians who want to earn a higher income should consider higher levels of education, which could position them for more advanced roles within a lab. You could also consider relocating to a part of the country that pays higher salaries for laboratory technicians.

Work Environment for Laboratory Technicians

Laboratory technicians generally work in lab environments and usually spend long hours on their feet. They are trained to work with infectious specimens or potentially toxic fumes and are required to follow proper safety measures to minimize the risk. They must wear gloves, masks and goggles to protect themselves.

Most laboratory technicians work full-time hours. Because many work in laboratories that operate around the lock, they may be required to work evenings, overnights or weekend hours, especially if they are monitoring a research experiment.

Job outlook for Laboratory Technicians

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for laboratory technicians is expected to grow 11% between 2018 to 2028, substantially faster than the 5% estimated average for all occupations. The growing aging population is expected to create a greater need for laboratory technicians to support medical labs that diagnose medical labs. There is also an increase in prenatal testing for genetic conditions and laboratory technicians are needed to operate and maintain the equipment for diagnosis and treatment.

General medical and surgical hospitals are the largest employer for laboratory technicians and they pay the highest salaries. Other employers include medical and diagnostic laboratories, physician offices, colleges, universities and junior colleges and outpatient centers.

What skills do Laboratory Technicians need?

There are a number of hard and soft skills that laboratory technicians need to be successful in their roles. They include:

•Stamina: Laboratory technicians need to have the stamina to be on their feet all day without losing energy and focus. Depending on the specific industry they work in, they may need to have the physical strength to lift or turn patients to obtain specimens.

•Ability to use lab equipment: They must understand how to operate computerized lab equipment.

•Dexterity: Laboratory technicians need to be able to work with precise and use needles and other lab instruments effectively. This requires them to have a steady hand and strong hand-eye coordination.

•Strong attention to detail: Laboratory technicians must be detail-oriented to successfully monitor research experiments and take notes on the experiment and its results. They must also have a strong attention to detail to be able to follow the exact instructions for performing tests and procedures.

•Communication skills: They need to have strong written and verbal communication skills to be able to successfully create records about lab activities and communicate with other laboratory personnel. They also need strong listening skills to understand the instructions of laboratory technologists and other staff or to be able to understand patient concerns.

How to become a laboratory technician

If you are interested in pursuing a career as a laboratory technician, these are the basic steps you need to take:

1. Obtain an associate's degree

To quality for laboratory technician roles, you generally need just an associate's degree in clinical laboratory science. You can usually complete this program at a local community college and it usually takes two years to obtain the degree. Another option is to earn a one-year certificate from a vocational, technical school or hospital. The military also offers training for laboratory technicians.

If you are still in high school, you should take courses in chemistry, math and biology to prepare you for the coursework you would complete as part of a laboratory science program.

2. Pursue licensure

Though it's not required by every state, some states require laboratory technicians to hold a license. The requirements vary from one state to the next, so it's important to contact your state's department of health or check with The American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science to find out what the requirements are for your state.

3. Consider certification

Though not required for the role, a certification can help differentiate you from other candidates for open jobs and reassure the employer that you have the skills to perform the work required for the role. In general, employers prefer to hire certified laboratory technicians. You can pursue certification through a number of different organizations, including the American Medical Technologists, National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel or Board of Registry of the American Society for Clinical Pathology.

4. Consider a bachelor's degree

While a bachelor's degree isn't generally required to be a laboratory technician, it is required for more advanced roles in a laboratory. Pursuing further education can position you for other opportunities and help you earn a higher salary. A bachelor's degree in medical laboratory technology includes coursework in microbiology, math, chemistry, biology and statistics. As part of the degree program, students usually complete coursework and then apply for the clinical portion of their program. Depending on how much of your prior coursework applies, you may only need to complete as little as two more years of education to finish a bachelor's degree.

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