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Biological Technicians Occupation Detailed Description

Biological Technicians career

General Job Description and Education/Training Levels for Biological Technicians

The main tasks and work activities of Biological Technicians are to record research or operational data, monitor operational procedures in technical environments to ensure conformance to standards, prepare biological samples for testing or analysis, collect biological specimens. In general, for the Biological Technicians, reading Comprehension, critical Thinking, science, active Listening and other 10 skills are required.
Biological Technicians Job Description
EducationMost of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Related ExperienceA considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Job TrainingEmployees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
ExampleMany of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include real estate brokers, sales managers, database administrators, graphic designers, chemists, art directors, and cost estimators.
The following chart shows the education/training levels for Biological Technicians jobs. 1.43% of Biological Technicians have High School Diploma (or the equivalent) and 0.93% of Biological Technicians have Post-Secondary Certificate.
Less than a High School Diploma
0.00%
High School Diploma (or the equivalent)
1.43%
Post-Secondary Certificate
0.93%
Some College Courses
1.43%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
0.00%
Bachelor's Degree and Above
96.21%

Tasks and Work Activities of Biological Technicians

  • Keep detailed logs of all work-related activities.
  • Monitor laboratory work to ensure compliance with set standards.
  • Isolate, identify and prepare specimens for examination.
  • Use computers, computer-interfaced equipment, robotics or high-technology industrial applications to perform work duties.
  • Conduct research or assist in the conduct of research, including the collection of information and samples, such as blood, water, soil, plants and animals.
  • Set up, adjust, calibrate, clean, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory and field equipment.
  • Provide technical support and services for scientists and engineers working in fields such as agriculture, environmental science, resource management, biology, and health sciences.
  • Clean, maintain and prepare supplies and work areas.
  • Participate in the research, development, or manufacturing of medicinal and pharmaceutical preparations.
  • Conduct standardized biological, microbiological or biochemical tests and laboratory analyses to evaluate the quantity or quality of physical or chemical substances in food or other products.
  • Analyze experimental data and interpret results to write reports and summaries of findings.
  • Measure or weigh compounds and solutions for use in testing or animal feed.
  • Monitor and observe experiments, recording production and test data for evaluation by research personnel.
  • Examine animals and specimens to detect the presence of disease or other problems.
  • Conduct or supervise operational programs such as fish hatcheries, greenhouses and livestock production programs.
  • Feed livestock or laboratory animals.
  • Input data into databases.
  • Place orders for laboratory equipment and supplies.
  • Documenting/Recording InformationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
  • Processing InformationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
  • Analyzing Data or InformationIdentifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and EventsIdentifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Getting InformationObserving, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Interacting With ComputersUsing computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Making Decisions and Solving ProblemsAnalyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesProviding information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Updating and Using Relevant KnowledgeKeeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  • Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkDeveloping specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
  • Record research or operational data.
  • Monitor operational procedures in technical environments to ensure conformance to standards.
  • Prepare biological samples for testing or analysis.
  • Collect biological specimens.
  • Set up laboratory or field equipment.
  • Clean objects.
  • Analyze chemical compounds or substances.
  • Interpret research or operational data.
  • Research microbiological or chemical processes or structures.
  • Examine characteristics or behavior of living organisms.
  • Manage agricultural or forestry operations.
  • Care for plants or animals.
  • Order materials, supplies, or equipment.

Skills and Abilities for Biological Technicians

  • Reading ComprehensionUnderstanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
  • Critical ThinkingUsing logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • ScienceUsing scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
  • Active ListeningGiving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Active LearningUnderstanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
  • WritingCommunicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
  • Complex Problem SolvingIdentifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  • MonitoringMonitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • SpeakingTalking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Judgment and Decision MakingConsidering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • Operation MonitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
  • MathematicsUsing mathematics to solve problems.
  • Systems AnalysisDetermining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
  • Near VisionThe ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Inductive ReasoningThe ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
  • Oral ComprehensionThe ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Information OrderingThe ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
  • Oral ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Deductive ReasoningThe ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Written ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
  • Written ComprehensionThe ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  • Speech RecognitionThe ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
  • Category FlexibilityThe ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
  • Problem SensitivityThe ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
  • Speech ClarityThe ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
  • Selective AttentionThe ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
  • Flexibility of ClosureThe ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
  • Mathematical ReasoningThe ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
  • Visual Color DiscriminationThe ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.
  • Finger DexterityThe ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
  • Arm-Hand SteadinessThe ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
  • Fluency of IdeasThe ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
  • VisualizationThe ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
  • Refrigerated and heated reach in environmental or growth chamberse.g. Aerobic growth chambers
  • Laboratory mixerse.g. Agitators
  • Amino acid analyzerse.g. Amino acid analyzers
  • Anaerobic chambere.g. Anaerobic growth chambers
  • Analytical balancese.g. Analytical balances
  • Steam autoclaves or sterilizerse.g. Autoclaves
  • Manual or electronic hematology differential cell counterse.g. Automated cell counters
  • Microplate readerse.g. Automated microplate ELISA readers
  • Histological staining apparatuse.g. Automated tissue/slide stainers
  • Robotic or automated liquid handling systemse.g. Automatic pipetters
  • Laboratory balancese.g. Balances
  • Microbiology analyzerse.g. Bioanalyzers
  • Fume hoods or cupboardse.g. Biological containment hoods
  • Benchtop centrifugese.g. Centrifuges
  • Conductivity meterse.g. Conductivity meters
  • Manual or electronic hematology differential cell counterse.g. Coulter counters
  • Spectrofluorimeters or fluorimeterse.g. Cytofluorographs
  • Deoxyribonucleic sequence analyzerse.g. Deoxyribonucleic acid DNA sequencers
  • Complementary deoxyribonucleic acid cDNA synthesis kitse.g. Deoxyribonucleic acid DNA synthesizers
  • Binocular light compound microscopese.g. Dissection microscopes
  • BiologyKnowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
  • English LanguageKnowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • MathematicsKnowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  • Computers and ElectronicsKnowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
  • ChemistryKnowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.