Lab Technician Career Guide and Counseling

Question: How much money should a lab technician ask for? I'm applying for a position as a lab technician at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory on Long Island. They ask to indicate salary requirements on the cover letter, but I have absolutely no idea what to ask for. It's a difficult question to ask people who are not from Long Island, since the standard of living is so high here, so please indicate your location if you choose to answer. Note: This is only to assist me in my search to find what salary I should ask for, it will not be my only source.

Answer: Try going to http://www.payscale.com and getting a free salary report. They claim to provide accurate, real-time salary reports based on your job title, location, education, skills and experience

Question: How can I prepare for a biology lab technician job interview? I'm working as a medical librarian currently and I 'm planning to change my carrier and work as a biology lab technician "I have got a BSc in Biotechnology".. recently I have been called for an interview,, I need your help as I need to explain to the interviewers how working as medical librarian will make me just fit for the position "biology lab technician" I applied for.

Answer: The best thing to do is to get a good night sleep. You already should be be ready and you have no idea what they are going to ask. Once you wakeup nice and relaxed you will think more clear and your responses will become that much better.

Question: does anyone know what are the qualifications for a lab technician? I seen an ad in a newspaper for a sleep lab technician in sandersville,ga. I noticed that it doesn't say anything about a degree or a certificate. They just want someone with some medical history. I'm a nursing student,and have taken pharmacology. They said they will train the right candidate. So, do anyone know the pay, and some tips to land this job.

Answer: 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. Many employers will also prefer you to have relevant A levels or a BTEC National Certificate/Diploma in Applied Science. Increasingly, you will also need lab work experience and qualifications such as a BTEC HNC/HND or degree in a science-based subject, such as biomedical science, chemistry, physics or biology. You can search for colleges and universities offering foundation degree, BTEC HND or degrees on the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) website. You will usually receive regular on-the-job training from your employer to help you keep up-to-date with new lab techniques. You may also be encouraged to work towards qualifications such as: NVQ Level 2 in Clinical Laboratory Support NVQ levels 2, 3 or 4 in Laboratory and Associated Technical Activities a foundation degree, for example in biomedical and laboratory science or technical support in labs. Achieving a foundation degree, BTEC HNC/HND or degree-level qualification could help your career prospects. As a technician in a school, you could access professional development courses through the CLEAPSS School Science Service. Being a member of the Association of Science Education (ASE) would also give you access to useful resources.

Question: Is chemistry lab technician considered a professional job? With a bachelors degree in chemistry, working as a chemistry lab technician working with gas chromatography and moisture analysis procedures. Does this work and the position considered as a professional white collar job?

Answer: I would consider it white collar. It certainly takes training to attain the position.

Question: What does a Lab Technician do? how much do they get paid starting out? Is a Degree a must? or will a Diploma be enough to get a job as a Lab Technician?

Answer: There are programs for medical lab technician that I have seen which were associate degree/2 year programs usually offered thru a community college. If the person would 'just' like to draw blood from a patient's vein, phlebotomy, there are certificate courses to learn that typically offered thru the community college (perhaps non-credit course) or county vo-tech school. And just fyi, if thinking of going to school for medical assistant since they do teach phlebotomy in that course, there are not supposed to be too many jobs for the MA. For general career info: www.bls.gov/oco and can type into search 'medical lab technician' or 'phlebotomist' or such.

Question: How much does a CRT Environmental Lab Technician make? How much does a CRTEnvironmental Lab Technician make and what exactly do they do?

Answer: I don't know about CRT techs but I do know about environmental lab techs in general. They are usually involved in the testing and anlaytical business, meaning they anlayze stuff such as asbestos, lead paint, water (drinking and nondrinking), soil, air, maybe other minerals & fibers, and harzardous stuff. Equipment involves general chemistry stuff except you'll have a fancy microscope to do different types of visual observations. After they test the stuff they have to record the data and probably sent the report to the customer. They may work for commercial or local govt. In my area New York City, enviro lab techs make around $30K-$35K, that's what the ads say anyway. Of course you'll get more if you have experience. As for me, I'm looking for an enviro lab tech job so this is what I know so far.

Question: How to get information about MOH test for job lab technician in uae? I am indian citizen i want to apply for lab technician job in uae

Answer: lalabhai...ek week pachi pacho question nakhjo alag alag detal nakhi ne...

Question: Is there any difference between being a lab technician vs being an entry-level microbiologist? I meant a lab technician position in a microbiological food testing lab vs an entry-level microbiologist position... I have a BS in Microbiologist and got a lab tech position... just wondering if I'm starting at the right spot or am I kinda at a lower level...? Sorry for the typo, I meant BS in Microbiology, not Microbiologist...

Answer: Its work in the field you've trained in. Right now finding a job in your discipline is hard enough. Even if you view it as an "entry level" position, you're in the door and have a good shot at advancement. Don't let it get you down. Be positive and prove yourself to your supervisors every day. ... that's got to be better than working in the food counter at a discount store.

Question: I would like to know about crime lab technician? What do crime lab technicians do? How do I become a crime lab technician?

Answer: You would fist need to get a degree in law enforcement and go further into forensics. Awesome job jes, but hard work. That requires alot of biology knowledge. Best of luck to you!

Question: Looking for Lab Technician classes or programs? I am a Lab Technician, basically I test and taste finished goods before. I live in Florida Pinellas County and I am looking for classes in food safety or any type of classes involving Laboratory work if you could help me out I would definitely appreciate it!

Answer: You can find top listing of such US college courses in this site - careers.scienceontheweb.net

Question: How much does a MEDICAL laboratory ASSISTANT make? Not a lab TECHNICIAN, or a TECHNOLOGIST, but an assistant? I asked how much assistants made before, and people got it confused with lab technologists and lab technicians, at least I'm pretty sure they did. I'd like to know about a lab assistant working in a hospital. Thank you!

Answer: at my hospital they make $8.49/hr to start

Question: What kind of schooling do you need to become a lab technician (like for a hospital)? I was a nursing student but am no longer pursuing that career. I will have an associate's degree by December, and a interested in working in a lab. I had a coworker at Fred Meyer that did this, but we have lost contact and I never got to ask her what kind of program to get into or where to go. I live in Oregon if that makes a difference.

Answer: I am a Medical Lab Technician. I had to go to college for 2 years to get my associate degree in Med. Lab Technology. Then I had to take a test to become ASCP(American Society Of Clinical Pathology) certified. I live in Ohio and I'm sure each state is different. I started out in nursing also but switched to this because a lot of classes transferred to this program.

Question: I need a Job as a lab technician in tampa can anyone help? Hi I am a senior student looking for job/intern as a lab technician in the tampa bay area, can anyone help?

Answer: go to a hospital website or mlo.com or org or try advanced.com

Question: How Do I Become A Forensic Lab Technician in Canada? I'm not talking about a CSI, I mean like someone who works in the lab. If anyone could give me a lot of detailed information (like what classes I would need to take and both high school and university) or a link to a really good website. Or both, of course. Please remember that I live in Canada, so I'd would be really awesome if you could give me information that applies to where I live. If you need more specifics, I live in Ontario. Thanks so much.

Answer: Information is below about the Canadian Forensic Lab Technician requirements./

Question: How to become a lab technician? I am a senior in college about to graduate with a major in education and a minor in psychology. But I don't want to be a teacher! I think I would enjoy working in a lab in a hospital testing blood, urine samples, pregnancy tests. Things like that. What schooling do you need for that?

Answer: You can get a entry level position, with little or no experience. You generally have to be a phlebotomist first (the guy who draws the blood) unless you go to a 2 or 4 year program. Check with local hospitals see if you can shadow a tech or if they will train you. You should know there is great variety of "lab techs" from medical and clinical laboratory technologists, medical and clinical laboratory technicians, histotechnologists and histotechnicians, cytogenetic technologists, depending on training and specialization.

Question: I recently received my BS in Biology. And I was just wondering if that qualifies me to be a lab technician? I have a lot of college lab experience, but not any "work" lab experience. Is it still possible for me to get a job in a lab?

Answer: The qualifications for a laboratory technican can vary depending on the variety. You're probably qualified to work as a laboratory technician or assistant for a research based institution or a basic laboratory technician/assistant for a medical laboratory. For positions beyond these you'd likely need additional training, education, and experience. Typically, an advanced degree is needed to qualify as a research scientist or associate. I don't want to sound biased, but unless you are very interested in the particular research topic then work in the research field can easily become very routine and predictable. On the other hand, if you like a little variety and are interested in working in a hospital or clinical laboratory performing diagnostic testing on patient specimens then you should consider a career as a medical technologist. Medical Technologists (also known as Clinical Laboratory Scientists) develop, supervise, and perform all levels of clinical laboratory testing in hospital and clinical laboratories. The testing is divided between the disciplines of microbiology, hematology, immunology, chemistry, immunohematology (blood banking), and sometimes genetics. Medical technologists can work in multiple areas or specialize in a single department. These positions require a bachelor's degree in medical technology or one of the biological sciences, completion of a 1 year clinical internship through a hospital based school of medical technology and a national board certification through either the ASCP or NCA (inside the U.S.). Medical technologists make between $40K and $60K annually. The results they produce are responsible for an estimates 70 to 80% of medical decisions. A local hospital or university should be able to help you find a good medical technology internship. You may also qualify as an uncertified medical laboratory technician (MLT) with a BS degree in one of the biological sciences and 6 to 12 months of experience in the clinical laboratory. Most certified MLTs have completed an associates degree program but some institutions with sort of "grandfather" you in given you have a BS degree in biology and some experience. It might be best to find a laboratory technician or assistant position in a chosen field before deciding which direction to take.