How to spot one in the wild, how to train to become one, and the illusive secrets of how to understand the technology which turns your average lab techie into a magician.
The modern day digital device is not just about the making of new phones and games. In some cases, the new evolutions in invention are based in the healthcare sector. With this being such an integral part of a post-Covid world, the brightest minds of laboratories all over the world have come together to champion its cause. It is through the combination of expert medical teams and med tech which will equip us to fight off future mass viral infections… That and the lab technicians, that is. Everyone knows they are secretly running the show.
What Do Lab Technicians Do All Day?
A large part of a lab technician’s job is to support the advancement of medical and medical technology knowledge. The goal here is obviously to protect and save mankind. Overall. This assumes that your local lab tech is a friendly one and is not working for the powers of evil. You can check for yourself. Give your lab tech a gentle prod and see if they notice. If they wave you away or start talking to you about cell breakdowns and unlocking codes, then they probably work for good. Otherwise just stay back.
As to what they do all day, a lab technician looks at evolving technology and thinks of applications for it of a scientific nature. Exactly what that entails relates to what they are working on or who they are working for. Generally, lab technicians setup and monitor experiments, note down outcomes, and repeat the process. They might perform product testing, may check blood and urine samples, or could be involved in creating new jet fuel.
Lab technicians can work on physics problems, clinical chemistry, and even microbiology. They use software to monitor and record data. They assist other scientists to create, perform, and evaluate new tech and new techniques. Lab technicians are one of the scariest class of people: those who know how the insides of things work. In knowing how the insides of things work, you can easily progress to learning how to take those things apart using science.
Wait… isn’t that nerdy?
Maybe. But only until you read about the potential salary. Especially if you happen to come up with a cure for an internationally devasting virus.
How much do lab technicians get paid?
Lab technicians who begin as student helpers often get paid very little. As they progress in experience, they can easily make £30,000 per year. If they develop enough experience to move onto a management post, they can make double their money. If they work for high end technology firms, developing medicines on the cutting edge of medical technology, then the sky is the limit.
Types of Lab Technicians
Here are types of lab technicians that you might spot in the wild. Do not try to catch them, leave them to go about their important work in peace.
Types of lab technician include:
- Hospital and clinic lab technicians who sort through samples patients submit at the request of the doctors.
- Environmental lab techs might work with geological firms, testing mineral content in the ground before mining.
- Research and development lab technicians work across a range of industries. From new mattresses to creating medical technology for a new defibrillator, lab techs are there, lurking in the background and getting six months’ worth of catch up sleep.
- Water companies employ lab technicians to test chlorination levels, or to look for contaminants.
- Chemical production companies hire particularly strange lab technicians. They are not so strange without the breathing apparatus.
There are thousands of roles for lab technician jobs worldwide. Wherever you find problems involving liquids or body fluids, they will be there, muttering to one another and putting on latex gloves.
How do you Join the Secret World of Lab Technicians?
All lab technician jobs can only be earned if you have enough experience points. This means going to university or college and training in all the relevant courses. To unlock the lab technician skill upgrade, you will require the following educational grade experiences:
- You will require a degree or vocational equivalent in as many sciences as possible. Choose from microbiology, pharmacology, or forensic sciences. There are dozens of choices related to the field of industry you choose.
- Apply for work experience while you are studying, lab hours are the goal.
- Train on as many apparatuses as possible.
- Learn the correct methodologies and techniques.
- Continue to advance your knowledge of how to deconstruct people through gathering unique skills from future employers.
That’s all for now.
That might be all for now, but keep your eyes peeled. If you see any persons unknown wrapped in white lab coats with writing all over their arms – stay away. They may be caffeinated beyond safe and manageable levels.