UK Career Advice

Laboratory Assistant: Key Skills, Qualifications and Career Path

Career Overview
Interview Questions

What is a Laboratory Assistant?

As a Laboratory Assistant in the UK, you would help scientists with their research and experiments by conducting tests, collecting data and maintaining lab equipment. This role is crucial for verifying the properties of materials and products, ensuring that scientific procedures run smoothly.

How do I become a Laboratory Assistant?

As a Laboratory Assistant in the UK, you would help scientists with their research and experiments by conducting tests, collecting data and maintaining lab equipment. This role is crucial for verifying the properties of materials and products, ensuring that scientific procedures run smoothly.

What would you like to know?

What does it take to become an Laboratory Assistant?

Skills, education, personality, career progression

Job demand for an Laboratory Assistant

Job ads, popular location, season to apply



Skills

  • Knowledge of laboratory equipment and procedures
  • Attention to detail and accuracy in recording data
  • Ability to follow instructions and protocols
  • Strong communication and teamwork skills
  • Basic computer skills for data entry and analysis
  • Understanding of health and safety regulations in the laboratory
  • Ability to troubleshoot and solve problems
  • Time management and organizational skills
  • Flexibility and adaptability to changing priorities and tasks
  • Basic knowledge of scientific principles and terminology

Qualifications & Education

  • Possession of GCSEs/S grades
  • Possession of an appropriate BTEC/SQA award or a GNVQ/GSVQ
  • Professional qualifications
  • NVQs/SVQs at various levels
  • Apprenticeships (available in some areas of work)
  • Good eyesight
  • Normal colour vision (required in some cases)

Career Path

Laboratory Assistant
Laboratory Technician
Laboratory Manager
Research Scientist
Senior Research Scientist
Principal Investigator
Professor
Biomedical Scientist
Clinical Scientist
Consultant Clinical Scientist
Forensic Scientist
Forensic Laboratory Manager
Quality Control Technician
Quality Control Manager
Environmental Scientist
Environmental Consultant
Pharmaceutical Technician
Pharmaceutical Scientist

Frequently Asked Questions

How to get a job in NHS lab?

To get a job in an NHS lab as a healthcare science practitioner, you can either have appropriate A-levels including at least one science (or equivalent level-3 qualifications) and a good range of A-C grade GCSEs, or go through the NHS Practitioner Training Programme (PTP).

What does a laboratory assistant do?

A laboratory assistant in the UK is responsible for performing laboratory tests and operating lab equipment. They collect tissue samples, blood, and other bodily fluids from patients, ensure that all specimens are labelled correctly, and prepare them for examination by a physician or medical laboratory technologist.

What is the career progression for a medical laboratory assistant?

The career progression for a medical laboratory assistant in the UK can include becoming a team manager or lab supervisor, specializing in complex analysis work, or moving into a research technician role with a degree and experience.

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