Health and science
Laboratory technician
Providing routine and one-off testing and technical support in a scientific laboratory environment.
Summary
This occupation is found in a wide range of organisations, including but not exclusively, chemical, primary and secondary pharmaceutical, biotechnology, formulated products, nuclear companies; and analytical science services, dental laboratories and educational establishments.
The broad purpose of the occupation is working at the forefront of technology to carry out both routine and one-off laboratory testing (and manufacturing where relevant) and perform a variety of technical support functions across the organisation.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with the laboratory manager and colleagues, internal departments such as manufacturing, procurement and quality, internal customers such as medical staff, teaching staff and students, external suppliers and customers such as service engineers, delivery drivers, regulatory bodies and inspection teams e.g. HSE.
An employee in this occupation will be responsible for proactively finding solutions to problems and identifying areas for improving the business. Laboratory technicians are expected to work both individually and as part of a laboratory team. They are able to work with minimum supervision, taking responsibility for the quality and accuracy of their own work. In any context working safely and ethically is paramount and many companies operate under highly regulated conditions. Laboratory technicians therefore follow quality procedures to meet the requirements of quality standards relevant to their work. It is not a requirement, either to practise in this occupation or as part of this apprenticeship, for apprentices to achieve additional qualifications (other than the usual English and maths requirements for an apprenticeship at this level) or professional recognition. However, this apprenticeship standard has been carefully designed with some of the requirements of certain relevant professional bodies in mind. Apprentices and employers should speak to the professional bodies relevant to the industry or sector within which they are working to ascertain the additional requirements that must be met for professional recognition by these organisations. Recognition by those organisations will be dependent on the acquisition of learning as defined by them.
Learning guides have been produced by the professional bodies to support the delivery of this apprenticeship.
Typical job titles include
- Laboratory assistant (prefixed by sector) | Laboratory technician
Knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs)
K1:
The quality procedures to meet the requirements of quality standards relevant to the workplace.
K2:
How to safely store and handle data in line with national and international data protection and cyber security regulations that apply to the role and employer processes.
K3:
How to apply statistical techniques for data processing and presentation. e.g calculation of median, standard deviation, produce graphs
K4:
How to recognise problems and apply appropriate scientific methods to identify causes and achieve solutions.
K5:
The business environment in which the company operates including personal role within the organisation, ethical practice and codes of conduct.
K6:
The foundations of health and safety including responsibility for health and safety under Health & Safety at Work Act(HASWA)
K7:
Risk assessment & control including Control of Substances Hazardous to Health assessments (COSHH) and Safety Data Sheets
K8:
Safe manual handling procedures including Display Screen Equipment (DSE)
K9:
Hazardous area classification & Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmosphere Regulations (DSEAR) rand how they apply within area of responsibility
K10:
Site and local safety (including fire and electrical), first aid and emergency management systems and procedures.
K11:
Laboratory health and safety and compliance with legal, regulatory, ethical requirements including the management and control of laboratory waste and the handling and disposal of chemical substances
K12:
How to order and control stocks of laboratory materials where required
K13:
How to apply the concepts of resource efficiency to energy, water and waste in the workplace.
K14:
Internal regulations pertinent to the sponsoring company & relative specialism in which they operate (eg. Good Laboratory Practice(GLP), Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), Good Documentation Practice (GDP))
K15:
The external regulatory requirements pertinent to the sponsoring company & relative specialism in which they operate e.g. Medicines & Healthcare Regulation Authority (MHRA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR)
K16:
The reason for laboratory investigations including out of specification results
K17:
Error reporting and correction techniques e.g. for traceability
K18:
The principles of Laboratory Information Management systems (digital or paper based)
K19:
The principles of root cause analysis
K20:
The key principles of continuous improvement and how workplace organisation techniques can be applied to improve workflow.
K21:
Theoretical knowledge of named / recognised scientific subject appropriate to the workplace and sector e.g. such as found in the dental, pharmacology sectors.
K22:
Scientific equipment management including maintenance e.g. cleaning, calibration, recognising equipment faults and when to escalate.
Technical Educational Products
- ST0248: Laboratory technician (Level 3) Approved for delivery
- TL0016c: Science - Technical: Laboratory sciences (Level 3)
Technical education progression
- Reference:
- OCC0248
- Status:
Approved occupation
- Average (median) salary:
- £26,259 per year
- SOC 2020 code:
- 3111 Laboratory technicians
- SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
- 3111/99 Laboratory technicians n.e.c.
- 3111/01 Biological laboratory technicians
- 3111/02 Chemical laboratory technicians
- 3111/05 Medical laboratory technicians
S1:
Comply with health and safety policies and procedures including HASWA, COSHH, risk assessments, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), manual handling, emergency procedures.
S2:
Maintain excellent housekeeping, in accordance with organisation Standard Procedures
S3:
Order and control stocks of laboratory materials where required
S4:
Identify, organise and use resources effectively to complete tasks applying the concepts of resource efficiency e.g energy, water and waste
S5:
Adhere to internal and external regulatory requirements e.g. GLP, GMP, GDP
S6:
Prepare for, and perform, laboratory experiments, tests or tasks following any specified methodologies to provide reliable, accurate data e.g. weighing, pipetting, filtering, spectroscopic techniques, chromatography techniques
S7:
Demonstrate technical competence in the use of specified instruments and equipment
S8:
Report faults and seek diagnostic advice to maintain equipment in good working order, including calibration where required
S9:
Complete documentation proficiently
S10:
Keep accurate records of laboratory work undertaken and results
S11:
Contribute to the preparation of reports.
S12:
Use simple statistical techniques for data presentation and evaluation e. g calculation of median and standard deviation, production of graphs
S13:
Demonstrate problem solving techniques including identification of sources of error and how they can be reduced e.g. human error
S14:
Use standard software packages and applications e.g. Microsoft Office suite
S15:
Use Laboratory Information Management systems to support their work
S16:
Address non-routine problems with samples and instrumentation, within defined areas
S17:
Identify relevant information from scientific sources e.g. supervisors, literature etc. in order to contribute to solutions
S18:
Participate in continuous performance improvement of systems and processes relevant to the work environment e.g. workplace organisation techniques, accreditation (e.g. ISO, UKAS) and proficiency testing.
S19:
Evaluate data, recognise and call attention to anomalous or unusual results
Technical Educational Products
- ST0248: Laboratory technician (Level 3) Approved for delivery Technical education progression
- TL0016c: Science - Technical: Laboratory sciences (Level 3) Technical education progression
- Reference:
- OCC0248
- Status:
- Approved occupation
- Average (median) salary:
- £26,259 per year
- SOC 2020 code:
- 3111 Laboratory technicians
- SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
- 3111/99 Laboratory technicians n.e.c.
- 3111/01 Biological laboratory technicians
- 3111/02 Chemical laboratory technicians
- 3111/05 Medical laboratory technicians
B1:
Effective communication using a range of skills
B2:
Effective teamwork
B3:
Ability to work independently and take responsibility for initiating and completing tasks in compliance with quality and safety standards, challenging unsafe working practices where appropriate.
B4:
An understanding of impact of their work on others, especially where related to diversity and equality
B5:
Time management and ability to complete work to agreed schedule
B6:
Ability to adapt to change
B7:
Continuing Professional Development (CPD): Accountability of own development needs, undertaking CPD.
B8:
Demonstrate reliability, integrity & respect for confidentiality on work related & personal matters
Technical Educational Products
- ST0248: Laboratory technician (Level 3) Approved for delivery Technical education progression
- TL0016c: Science - Technical: Laboratory sciences (Level 3) Technical education progression
- Reference:
- OCC0248
- Status:
- Approved occupation
- Average (median) salary:
- £26,259 per year
- SOC 2020 code:
- 3111 Laboratory technicians
- SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
- 3111/99 Laboratory technicians n.e.c.
- 3111/01 Biological laboratory technicians
- 3111/02 Chemical laboratory technicians
- 3111/05 Medical laboratory technicians