Profession of Laboratory Technician
An essential link in the proper functioning of a laboratory, discover the profession of medical analysis laboratory technician in detail: mission, salary, possible training, retraining.
There are several types of laboratory assistants:
The Medical Analysis Laboratory Technician
The medical analysis laboratory technician carries out the biological examinations requested by a doctor so that he can make his diagnosis. To do this, he takes samples of blood, cell tissue, urine, smears, etc. and analyzes them before writing the report of the results.
These results are then validated by a biologist or doctor before being transmitted to the patient. To carry out his missions, he handles various state-of-the-art biochemistry devices on a daily basis. Depending on where he works, he may be specialized in a specific field such as hematology, virology, etc., but in general, the laboratories are versatile.
This job can be practiced in a hospital, in a research institute or in a private laboratory.
The Laboratory Technician in the agri-food, pharmaceutical or cosmetic fields
Here, the professional's mission is to ensure the smooth running of the manufacture of a product, whether medical, cosmetic or food. To achieve this, he will carry out all kinds of analyses while respecting very specific and above all very supervised techniques. Physico-chemical and microbiological analyses... ensure that the product meets standards and specifications.
At each stage of the design, the laboratory technician takes samples to be tested and analyzed.
In addition to this task, the professional also ensures the maintenance of the devices and the development of protocols.
The laboratory technician works in pharmaceutical, cosmetic and agri-food companies.
The Technical and Scientific Police Technician
The technical and scientific police technician seeks to identify the perpetrators of offences. It is therefore an essential link in police investigations and contributes to the fight against terrorism, organized crime or petty and medium-sized crime. When he works in a laboratory, he assists engineers in scientific analyses and examinations.
Qualities to become a laboratory technician
Given the very mission of the laboratory technician, he or she must be extremely rigorous and very methodical. Indeed, the slightest error in interpretation or in the protocol could have disastrous consequences.
As a result, the professional must absolutely have an analytical mind. This skill will allow him to quickly detect anomalies in the samples.
Knowing how to communicate both orally and in writing, having good interpersonal skills and working in a team are also highly appreciated qualities.
Training to become a laboratory technician
To become a laboratory technician, it is mandatory to follow a qualifying and diploma training course in order to acquire the essential knowledge. Several solutions are available to you, accessible both in the context of initial training and in that of continuing education, allowing you to easily retrain as a laboratory technician.
Initial training
Level BAC+2
State diploma (DE) as a biomedical analysis technician. Accessible to any holder of a baccalaureate (or equivalent title) or who can justify at least five years' professional experience, you must be at least 17 years old to prepare for this three-year diploma.
Formation continue
As part of a professional development or reorientation, it is possible to become a laboratory technician through continuing education by preparing most of the diplomas mentioned above or the title of laboratory technician in chemistry, biochemistry, biology (via the CNAM).
Like all health professionals, medical analysis laboratory technicians are required to train regularly throughout their career.
Salary of a laboratory technician
The average net monthly salary of a salaried laboratory technician is about 2000 € for a man and 1900 € for a woman (about 27000 employees in France).
(Source: INSEE statistics).
Opportunities and developments for laboratory technicians
Laboratory technicians usually work in private medical analysis laboratories, but they can also work in public hospitals or clinics, research centres or industrial laboratories.
The national education system also recruits some to assist teachers of scientific disciplines in the conduct of practical work, especially in the grandes écoles.
The prospects for the development of the laboratory technician are quite limited, but if he works in a commercial firm, he can be offered a position as a technical salesman after a few years of experience. In the industrial sector, he can also be entrusted with the management of a team, or even become head of a laboratory.
