Laboratory technicians carry out routine laboratory tests and perform a variety of technical support functions to help scientists, technologists and others with their work. The actual nature of the job will depend upon the employer, but they can work in research and development, scientific analysis and testing, education and manufacturing. They are employed in a wide range of scientific fields that affect almost every aspect of our lives. They could be involved in helping to diagnose disease, supporting medical specialists in a hospital or health environment, or checking products in the food, drink or pharmaceutical industries.
Most laboratory technicians work standard office hours during the daytime, from Monday to Friday. They are based in laboratories, which are usually clean and may require sterile conditions. They may wear protective clothing, including coats, gloves, masks, goggles, or all-over, sealed, protective suits. Some of their work may be outdoors.
Salaries range from about €25,000 to €50,000 a year.
A laboratory technician should:
- be good at science
- have good practical and technical skills
- work accurately and pay great attention to detail
- have good numeracy and IT skills
- be willing to take on responsibility.
Employers are based throughout Ireland and include national and local government, manufacturing and service industries, research laboratories, charitable organisations, universities, colleges and schools, forensic science laboratories and the HSE.
It is possible for medical laboratory technicians to become phlebotomists, cardiographers or physiologists.
What is the work like?
Laboratory technicians carry out routine laboratory tests and perform a variety of technical support functions to help scientists, technologists and others with their work. The actual nature of the job will depend upon the employer, but they can work in research and development, scientific analysis and testing, education and manufacturing. They are employed in a wide range of scientific fields that affect almost every aspect of our lives. They could be involved in:
- helping to diagnose disease
- supporting medical specialists in a hospital or health environment
- checking products in the food, drink or pharmaceutical industries
- measuring pollution levels
- analysing samples in criminal investigations
- helping to develop new products or processes in industry
- helping to test materials and equipment in a manufacturing company
- supporting teachers, lecturers and students in schools, colleges or universities.
Some laboratory technicians work in veterinary science, dealing with animals, while others work in hospitals and medical centres, dealing with problems associated with human beings. They work closely with scientists, technologists and managers, as well as other support and administrative staff.
Duties vary from job to job, but may include:
- checking, cleaning, sterilising and maintaining equipment
- checking stock levels and reordering supplies
- collecting samples or specimens
- preparing cultures or specimens
- setting up experiments or investigations
- measuring results
- using computers to record, calculate and present data
- testing the quality of materials or products
- giving demonstrations
- providing technical advice and assistance
- managing resources, work areas and teams
- compliance with safety, risk assessment and other legislation.
Hours and environment
Most laboratory technicians work standard daytime hours, from Monday to Friday. Some employers operate shifts or on-call rotas covering early mornings, evenings, nights, weekends and bank holidays.
Laboratory technicians are based in laboratories, which are usually clean and may require sterile conditions. They may wear protective clothing, including coats, gloves, masks, goggles, or all-over sealed protective suits. Some jobs involve working with hazardous substances, materials and equipment, such as chemicals, bacteria and radiation, and it is essential that health and safety precautions are followed at all times.
Fieldwork may involve working outdoors in all weather conditions and travelling to different sites.
Salary and other benefits
These figures are only a guide, as actual rates of pay may vary, depending on the employer and where people live.
- Starting salaries for laboratory technicians may be around €25,000 a year.
- With experience, this may rise to around €30,000.
- Highly skilled technical staff or those with managerial responsibilities may earn €30,000 to €50,000 a year.