According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, laboratory technicians can expect excellent employment opportunities. Between 2006 and 2016, the demand for laboratory technicians is expected to grow 14 percent, which is faster than the average for health-related professions. Because of technological advances and new research coming out, technicians are expected to have plenty of opportunities to grow within the field and to explore many different career paths.
Independent Labs
The main source of employment for laboratory technicians is clinical laboratories, where testing for the diagnosis of disease, as well as analysis into the reproduction and life cycle of bacteria and other microorganisms, is performed. Independent laboratories may work for a specific company or take on freelance projects as needed. The use of complex equipment, much of which is completely automated once put into motion, is part of the daily routine, and frees up the technician to perform other roles, such as analyzing data or preparing specimens for examination. In the Bureau of Labor Statistic’s 2006 data, those working as technicians in medical and diagnostic laboratories could expect an average annual salary of $30,240.
Hospital Labs
Large hospitals and health centers specializing in a specific disease (such as TB hospitals or contagious disease clinics) sometimes run their own labs. The same is true of ambulatory health care services, which may not have the time or budget needed to outsource to other labs. Laboratory technicians working in hospital labs examine samples from patients, determine sources of infection and analyze chemical components in the blood or urine to determine the presence of bacteria or to test for levels of cholesterol or glucose. In hospitals, many technicians specialize in just one field. For example, phlebotomists collect, test and analyze blood samples, while cytotechnologists analyze cell samples for signs of cancer. The median annual salary for lab technicians in general medical or surgical hospitals was about $34,200, according to the 2006 BLS data.
Pharmaceutical Companies
Large pharmaceutical companies usually have their own labs, where new drugs are tested, processed and produced. Technicians working in this type of environment will usually perform a variety of tests, using equipment such as calibration machines, spectrophotometers and microscopes, minicomputer systems and sterilization vaults. Technicians working in pharmaceutical labs are expected to keep detailed records of their work, as the production of a compound is usually a multi-step project, and other experts may need to rely on the info obtained by a different technician in order to advance the research. According to Simply Hired, a typical annual salary is about $32,840, although top technicians may earn as much as $50,250.
Related Positions
Laboratory technicians may find employment in other, non-medical fields if they choose to continue their education by pursuing an advanced degree or taking specialization courses. For example, lab technicians are needed in areas such as chemistry research or agricultural and food science departments. In these areas of science, labs are established to study compounds, research safe packaging, monitor product quality and understand crop reproduction and resistance to the elements.
References
Biospace.com: Biotech and Pharmaceutical News & Jobs
Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians
