What skills does a scientific laboratory technician need?

A scientific laboratory technician needs 16 essential skills including stem cells, laboratory techniques, cryopreservation, perform laboratory tests, mix chemicals. Core competencies include Sense Making, Self Management, Digital Fluency.

Will AI replace scientific laboratory technician jobs?

The AI disruption score for scientific laboratory technician is 77/100 (very high risk). Some tasks may be automated but the role will evolve rather than disappear entirely.

Engineering ServicesScience and engineering associate professionalsISCO 3141

scientific laboratory technician

Scientific laboratory technicians carry out laboratory-based research, analysis and testing and support life science professionals. They sample, test, measure, research and analyse in areas such as biology, biotechnology, environmental science, forensic science and pharmacology. Scientific laboratory technicians also observe and monitor laboratory activities, record test sequences and analyse the results.

Do You Have the Skills for This Role?

Core competency requirements inferred from the occupation's skill profile. Take the free assessment to see how you match.

Supporting Skills

Sense MakingIntermediate

Self ManagementIntermediate

Digital FluencyIntermediate

Problem SolvingIntermediate

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (16)

stem cellsstem cellsThe biological development of human embryonic stem cells, together with the ethical concerns related and the legal requirements involved.laboratory techniqueslaboratory techniquesTechniques applied in the different fields of natural science in order to obtain experimental data such as gravimetric analysis, gas chromatography, electronic or thermic methods.cryopreservationcryopreservationCryopreservation deals with procedures, risks and conditions applied to cells or tissues in order to prevent contamination and damage. It refers to the preservation of embryos, eggs, semen and testicl...perform laboratory testsperform laboratory testsCarry out tests in a laboratory to produce reliable and precise data to support scientific research and product testing.mix chemicalsmix chemicalsMix chemical substances safely according to recipe, using the proper dosages.record test datarecord test dataRecord data which has been identified specifically during preceding tests in order to verify that outputs of the test produce specific results or to review the reaction of the subject under exceptiona...maintain laboratory equipmentmaintain laboratory equipmentClean laboratory glassware and other equipment after use and it for damage or corrosion in order to ensure its proper functioning.wear appropriate protective gearwear appropriate protective gearWear relevant and necessary protective gear, such as protective goggles or other eye protection, hard hats, safety gloves.apply safety procedures in laboratoryapply safety procedures in laboratoryMake sure that laboratory equipment is used in a safe manner and the handling of samples and specimens is correct. Work to ensure the validity of results obtained in research.calibrate laboratory equipmentcalibrate laboratory equipmentCalibrate laboratory equipment by comparing between measurements: one of known magnitude or correctness, made with a trusted device and a second measurement from another piece of laboratory equipment....work safely with chemicalswork safely with chemicalsTake the necessary precautions for storing, using and disposing chemical products.test chemical samplestest chemical samplesPerform the testing procedures on the already prepared chemical samples, by using the necessary equipment and materials. Chemical sample testing involves operations such as pipetting or diluting schem...perform sample testingperform sample testingExamine and perform tests on prepared samples; avoid any possibility of accidental or deliberate contamination during the testing phase. Operate sampling equipment in line with design parameters.use chemical analysis equipmentuse chemical analysis equipmentUse the laboratory equipment such as Atomic Absorption equimpent, PH and conductivity meters or salt spray chambre.operate scientific measuring equipmentoperate scientific measuring equipmentOperate devices, machinery, and equipment designed for scientific measurement. Scientific equipment consists of specialised measuring instruments refined to facilitate the acquisition of data.prepare samples for testingprepare samples for testingTake and prepare samples for testing, verify their representability; avoid bias and any possibility of accidental or deliberate contamination. Provide clear numbering, labelling and recording of the s...

Optional (63)

techniques of blood-samplingtechniques of blood-samplingThe appropriate techniques for the collection of blood samples for laboratory work purposes, depending on the group of people targeted such as children or elderly.life scienceslife sciencesThe study of the processes related to cells, molecules and living organisms.microbiology-bacteriologymicrobiology-bacteriologyMicrobiology-Bacteriology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.biological chemistrybiological chemistryBiological chemistry is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.clinical biochemistryclinical biochemistryThe various types of tests performed on bodily fluids such as electrolytes, renal function tests, liver function tests or minerals.blood transfusionblood transfusionThe procedures involved in blood transfusions, including compatibility and disease testing, by means of which blood is transferred into blood vessels, taken from donors with the same blood type.mathematicsmathematicsMathematics is the study of topics such as quantity, structure, space, and change. It involves the identification of patterns and formulating new conjectures based on them. Mathematicians strive to pr...automated analysers in the medical laboratoryautomated analysers in the medical laboratoryThe methods used to introduce samples into the laboratory instrument that analyses biological samples for diagnosis purpose.blood collection on babiesblood collection on babiesThe recommended procedure for collecting blood from babies through their heel.virologyvirologyThe structure, characteristics, evolution and interactions of viruses and the diseases they cause.physicsphysicsThe natural science involving the study of matter, motion, energy, force and related notions.histopathologyhistopathologyThe procedures needed for the microscopic examination of stained tissue sections using histological techniques.blood type classificationblood type classificationThe classification of blood types such as group A, B, AB, 0 and their characteristics.immunologyimmunologyImmunology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.biologybiologyTissues, cells, and functions of plant and animal organisms and their interdependencies and interactions with each other and the environment.fine-needle aspirationfine-needle aspirationThe type of biopsy through which a thin needle is inserted into an area of body tissue and analysed in the laboratory to determine whether the tissue is benign or malignant.data protectiondata protectionThe principles, ethical issues, regulations and protocols of data protection.chemistrychemistryThe composition, structure, and properties of substances and the processes and transformations that they undergo; the uses of different chemicals and their interactions, production techniques, risk fa...microscopic techniquesmicroscopic techniquesThe techniques, functions and limitations of microscopy to visualise objects that cannot be seen with the normal eye.manage suppliesmanage suppliesMonitor and control the flow of supplies that includes the purchase, storage and movement of the required quality of raw materials, and also work-in-progress inventory. Manage supply chain activities ...carry out quality control in microbiology laboratoriescarry out quality control in microbiology laboratoriesPerform quality assurance testing of media, reagents, laboratory instrumentation and other materials used in microbiology laboratory.ensure compliance with environmental legislationensure compliance with environmental legislationMonitor activities and perform tasks ensuring compliance with standards involving environmental protection and sustainability, and amend activities in the case of changes in environmental legislation....examine samples in dermatologyexamine samples in dermatologyPrepare tissue, blood or skin samples for examination procedures and analyse them by running chemical and biological tests.perform bone marrow transplantperform bone marrow transplantPerform cord blood transplant and manage its side effects in order to replace damaged or destroyed bone marrow with healthy bone marrow stem cells for patients affected by cancers, such as leukaemia, ...conduct routine blood testingconduct routine blood testingPerform routine tests on blood gases, electrolytes and metabolites.collect biological samples from patientscollect biological samples from patientsFollow recommended processes to collect bodily fluids or samples from patients for further laboratory testing, assisting the patient as required.order suppliesorder suppliesCommand products from relevant suppliers to get convenient and profitable products to purchase.transport blood samplestransport blood samplesEnsure that the blood samples collected are transported safely and correctly, following strict procedures to avoid contamination.interpret hematological test resultsinterpret hematological test resultsReview blood samples and bone marrow under the microscope and interpret results of the tests.archive healthcare users' recordsarchive healthcare users' recordsProperly store the health records of healthcare users, including test results and case notes so that they are easily retrieved when required.sterilise medical equipmentsterilise medical equipmentDisinfect and clean all medical devices and equipment gathered from operating rooms, wards and other departments of a hospital or clinic and check for bacteria after disinfection using a microscope.execute analytical mathematical calculationsexecute analytical mathematical calculationsApply mathematical methods and make use of calculation technologies in order to perform analyses and devise solutions to specific problems.analyse cell culturesanalyse cell culturesAnalyse cell cultures grown from tissue samples, performing also screening of the cervical smear to detect fertility issues.answer patients' questionsanswer patients' questionsRespond in a friendly and professional manner to all inquiries from current or potential patients, and their families, of a healthcare establishment.perform PCR covid testperform PCR covid testCollect respiratory components to detect COVID-19 virus in a patient using the Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) technique. Proper use of the utensils necessary for performing t...examine cell specimens microscopicallyexamine cell specimens microscopicallyPrepare and put the cell specimens received for examination on slides, stain and mark cellular changes and abnormalities.monitor stock levelmonitor stock levelEvaluate how much stock is used and determine what should be ordered.collect samples for analysiscollect samples for analysisCollect samples of materials or products for laboratory analysis.maintain healthcare user data confidentialitymaintain healthcare user data confidentialityComply with and maintain the confidentiality of healthcare users` illness and treatment information.report test findingsreport test findingsReport test results with a focus on findings and recommendations, differentiating results by levels of severity. Include relevant information from the test plan and outline the test methodologies, usi...manage chemical processes inspectionmanage chemical processes inspectionManage the chemical in-process inspection, making sure the inspection results are documented, the inspection procedures are well written and the checklists are updated.analyse samples of food and beveragesanalyse samples of food and beveragesExamine if food or beverages are safe for human consumption. Verify the right levels of key ingredients and the correctness of the label declarations and the levels of nutrients present. Ensure sample...analyse blood samplesanalyse blood samplesAnalyse blood samples using computer-aided and manual techniques, looking for white or red blood cell abnormalities and other risk factors.assist in the production of laboratory documentationassist in the production of laboratory documentationAssist in documenting laboratory work, especially paying attention to policies and standard operating procedures.label blood sampleslabel blood samplesLabel blood samples taken from patients in compliance with regulations and the identity of the patient.dispose medical wastedispose medical wasteCarry out the appropriate technique to safely dispose all types of medical waste such as infective, toxic and radioactive waste.communicate in healthcarecommunicate in healthcareCommunicate effectively with patients, families and other caregivers, health care professionals, and community partners.interpret electromyogramsinterpret electromyogramsAnalyse and interpret electromyograms or EMGs to detect the electrical potential generated by muscle cells when these cells are electrically or neurologically activated.send samples to laboratorysend samples to laboratoryForward collected samples to the concerned laboratory, following strict procedures related to the labeling and tracking of the information on the samples.analyse test dataanalyse test dataInterpret and analyse data collected during testing in order to formulate conclusions, new insights or solutions.maintain medical laboratory equipmentmaintain medical laboratory equipmentRegularly check the condition of medical laboratory equipment used, clean, and perform maintenance operations, as necessary.work with chemicalswork with chemicalsHandle chemicals and select specific ones for certain processes. Be aware of the reactions which arise from combining them.explain the molecular basis of a disease to patientsexplain the molecular basis of a disease to patientsExplain to patients the basis of their disease from the molecular and metabolic points of view and how therapies can affect their lifestyles.develop scientific research protocolsdevelop scientific research protocolsDevelop and record the procedural method used for a specific scientific experiment in order to enable its replication.identify patients' medical recordsidentify patients' medical recordsLocate, retrieve and present medical records, as requested by authorized medical personnel.analyse experimental laboratory dataanalyse experimental laboratory dataAnalyse experimental data and interpret results to write reports and summaries of findings.manage chemical testing proceduresmanage chemical testing proceduresManage the procedures to be used in chemical testing by designing them and conducting tests accordingly.archive scientific documentationarchive scientific documentationStore documents such as protocols, analysis results and scientific data using archiving systems to enable scientists and engineers to take methods and results from previous studies into account for th...check material resourcescheck material resourcesVerify that all requested resources are delivered and in good working order. Notify the appropriate person or people of any problems related to technical and material resources.interpret medical resultsinterpret medical resultsInterpret, integrate and apply results of diagnostic imaging, laboratory tests and other investigations as part of the assessment of the client, in consultation with other healthcare practitioners.assist scientific researchassist scientific researchAssist engineers or scientists with conducting experiments, performing analysis, developing new products or processes, constructing theory, and quality control.check the received biological samplescheck the received biological samplesEnsure that the received biological samples such as blood and tissues, are correctly labeled, registered and contain the appropriate information about the patient.label sampleslabel samplesLabel raw material/product samples for laboratory checks, according to implemented quality system.