What are the qualifications for a lab technician?
Laboratory technicians support scientists in areas such as forensic science and scientific analysis, the health service and in education. As a lab technician, you could be involved in diagnosing diseases, measuring levels of pollution, developing new products, or carrying out specialised techniques, like those concerned with infertility and conception. Whichever area you work in, your main duties are likely to include: setting-up experiments or investigations collecting samples preparing solutions, cultures or specimens analysing samples recording and presenting data ordering and controlling stock making sure equipment is clean and in good working order. In education, you would also set up equipment and create and demonstrate experiments. You would usually work in a team including scientists and other technicians, and you may also supervise lab support workers or junior technicians. You will usually need at least four GCSEs (A-C), including science, maths and English.
