Biological Technicians

What the job really is

Assist biological and medical scientists. Set up, operate, and maintain laboratory instruments and equipment, monitor experiments, collect data and samples, make observations, and calculate and record results. May analyze organic substances, such as blood, food, and drugs.

At a glance

• Sector: Life, Physical & Social Science
• O*NET-SOC code: 19-4021
• O*NET job zone: 4 — considerable preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Use computers, computer-interfaced equipment, robotics or high-technology industrial applications to perform work duties.
• Conduct research, or assist in the conduct of research, including the collection of information and samples, such as blood, water, soil, plants and animals.
• Monitor and observe experiments, recording production and test data for evaluation by research personnel.
• Analyze experimental data and interpret results to write reports and summaries of findings.
• Provide technical support and services for scientists and engineers working in fields such as agriculture, environmental science, resource management, biology, and health sciences.
• Keep detailed logs of all work-related activities.
• Input data into databases.
• Isolate, identify and prepare specimens for examination.
• Set up, adjust, calibrate, clean, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory and field equipment.
• Clean, maintain and prepare supplies and work areas.
• Monitor laboratory work to ensure compliance with set standards.
• Place orders for laboratory equipment and supplies.

Tools and technology

Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Photoshop, ESRI ArcGIS software, Microsoft .NET Framework, Microsoft Access, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Project, Microsoft Word, SAS

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians
• Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists
• Chemical Technicians
• Cytogenetic Technologists
• Histotechnologists
• Agricultural Technicians
• Histology Technicians
• Bioinformatics Technicians

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 4 (considerable preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Biological Technicians — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.