Chemical Technicians

laboratory laboratory test chemical experiment investigative gaseous material product analysis quantitative analysis analysis of solids field equipment

Chemical Technician, Laboratory Analyst (Lab Analyst), Laboratory Technician (Lab Tech), Quality Control Technician (QC Tech)

What they do:
Conduct chemical and physical laboratory tests to assist scientists in making qualitative and quantitative analyses of solids, liquids, and gaseous materials for research and development of new products or processes, quality control, maintenance of environmental standards, and other work involving experimental, theoretical, or practical application of chemistry and related sciences.
On the job, you would:
  • Conduct chemical or physical laboratory tests to assist scientists in making qualitative or quantitative analyses of solids, liquids, or gaseous materials.
  • Maintain, clean, or sterilize laboratory instruments or equipment.
  • Monitor product quality to ensure compliance with standards and specifications.

Knowledge

Math and Science

  • chemistry
  • arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

Engineering and Technology

  • computers and electronics

Skills

Basic Skills

  • using scientific rules and strategies to solve problems
  • reading work related information

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

People and Technology Systems

  • measuring how well a system is working and how to improve it
  • thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one

Abilities

Verbal

  • read and understand what is written
  • communicate by writing

Ideas and Logic

  • make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information
  • notice when problems happen

Hand and Finger Use

  • hold or move items with your hands
  • keep your arm or hand steady

Math

  • choose the right type of math to solve a problem

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.

They do well at jobs that need:

  • Attention to Detail
  • Integrity
  • Dependability
  • Analytical Thinking
  • Initiative
  • Adaptability/Flexibility

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Data base user interface and query software

  • Oracle Database Hot Technology
  • Structured query language SQL Hot Technology

Presentation software

  • Microsoft PowerPoint Hot Technology In Demand

Object or component oriented development software

  • Oracle Java Hot Technology
  • R Hot Technology

Education

Education: (rated 3 of 5)
bachelor's degree or
high school diploma/GED
usually needed

Get started on your career:

Find Training
Apprenticeship.gov

Job Outlook

Bright
New job opportunities are very likely in the future.
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See more details at O*NET OnLine about chemical technicians.