In our modern industrial world, how do we get the results for things that we care about? Whether it is a cancer diagnosis or industrial contamination, we often send things to laboratories for testing. The employees who do the testing are called laboratory technicians and perform various jobs “back there.”
In this article, we’re going to go into some details about why a lab tech job might be a great fit for you. Especially if you have some experience working in sterile laboratory conditions, or a background in science, this could be the right career choice for you. Hopefully, you don’t need to be convinced further of all the good you can do after you read this, but it may be a helpful starting point for those that are still on the fence.
It’s a Skilled Profession
Even if the lab tech jobs you’ve looked at online seem relatively simple (testing reagents or putting batches of samples through a machine), know that all lab tech jobs are skilled professions. Aside from not simply letting anyone off of the street in a lab, most laboratory tech jobs require a degree or certification of some sort in order to make sure that you know what you’re doing. While you may not need a biology or chemistry degree to gain employment in a lab setting, it certainly helps (especially if you’re in the healthcare field).
Aside from your formal qualifications, simply knowing your way around laboratory equipment and etiquette may be enough to get you a job in some labs. You might be surprised at how often labs lose productive hours because prospective employees do not know how to properly calibrate, handle, and sterilize equipment. By having these skills in your back pocket you make yourself a skilled employee that many employers will want to meet.
It’s a Growing Field
Did you know that as medical knowledge and technology increase, the market will need more lab tech jobs? In fact, employment of healthcare occupations is projected to grow 14 percent from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations, adding about 1.9 million new jobs. This includes people working in hospitals, scientific facilities, and industrial testing that surround healthcare. In the future, the amount of lab tech jobs will only increase and there will be a demand for skilled workers who are able to navigate these unique work environments with ease instead of tripping over their colleagues or mishandling expensive equipment. Be confident that if you’re aware of how a lab and its instruments work, you will be in demand.
You’ll Be Helping Others
Some people get down on lab tech jobs, saying that being hidden back in a lab all day isn’t important or productive, that you’re not really helping anyone. Nothing could be further from the truth, especially when you look at what laboratory technicians analyze in different settings. If you’re in the healthcare field, you may be giving someone results as to whether they test positive for a virus or illness. In industry, the results of your lab test may indicate whether a product is contaminated or clean to use. With lab tech jobs, you are often hyper-specialized in your focus to find results that will matter long term for lots of people. Anyone who disregards this or says that it is not important simply does not understand the true nature of the job.
It’s Not Just for White Suits Anymore
The fact of the matter is, if you’ve got a qualifying degree and the experience to match, you may be suited for a whole host of lab tech jobs that pay very well. In addition to not having to deal with many people on a day-to-day basis, you’ll be doing important testing, identification, or other clinical work that people will use the results for in a myriad of ways. Because you’re practicing a specialized skill in a unique environment, you may qualify for a variety of medical lab tech job openings that you see online or elsewhere. Instead of automatically assuming that you can’t get a lab tech job, think again and consider applying or asking someone who currently works there. You may just land a sweet gig!
