8 habits of great laboratory technicians

A great laboratory technician is often key to the success of laboratory management. Irrespective of the type of laboratory environment, great technicians adapt and take on a few common habits that facilitate laboratory-based scientific investigations in the best way possible.

Knowledge

They know the end from the beginning. Knowledge of the procedure and desired outcomes is important when deciding what equipment and consumables will be needed. They are not afraid to ask questions if unsure of needs and requirements.

Safety first

They have a great habit of enforcing the OHS in their space to ensure a healthy and risk-free environment. They understand the importance of wearing personal protective equipment (PPE). Great laboratory technicians are aware of OHS procedures and follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) to assist in the reduction of risks associated with potential hazards. They have the locations of emergency telephone numbers, spill kits, eyewash fountains, emergency exits and evacuation routes at their fingertips!

Attention to detail

Great laboratory technicians are attentive to detail in all aspects of their role from the purchasing of laboratory consumables and equipment to the operating procedures of instrumentation in their laboratory. Great lab technicians know that accuracy is crucial for a valid outcome to any laboratory test.

Organisation

They have a habit of doing everything in an organised manner. They know and understand that maintaining quality control standards is equally as important as maintaining safety standards in the laboratory. They also keep a record of time and perform tests as per the defined lab protocols, stand rules and methodologies. They record the result as soon as possible to ensure data integrity. On top of that, a clean and uncluttered workspace not only provides a pleasant environment to work in, but also helps keep the head clear and focused!

Maintaining the lab area by creating a schedule

They have a regular schedule for daily and weekly lab activity and make certain that everything in the lab is in great working order. That schedule often includes (but is not limited to) some of the following items:

• Cleaning the work area
• Calibration of equipment
• Cleaning of glassware
• Placement of equipment
• Tidiness of storage areas
• Up-to-date labelling
• Purchasing of general items
• Maintenance of instrumentation
• Internal OHS audit

Communication

Great laboratory technicians are great communicators. A lab tech in a larger laboratory environment with many researchers or teachers can find their role very demanding at times. It is therefore imperative that you create a culture of great communication to ensure that all members are always kept ‘in the loop’. A great laboratory technician gets along well with others and helps out when the situation calls for it. They communicate clearly with their co-workers and never hesitate to report any issues or problems to their lab manager if and when they arise.

Move with the times

Although a great laboratory technician knows how to do their work well and in a proficient manner, they are also aware that learning is a never-ending process. They keep up to date with relevant scientific developments and innovations to ensure they are keeping their lab efficient and competitive.

Connect with great suppliers

Great laboratory technicians partner with great suppliers that can deliver with speed and agility in a hassle-free manner! They look for responsive websites that provide plenty of resources and information to ensure they make the right choice the first time round. They look for reliability and consistency in great service so they can deliver their promise to their co-workers. They look at ROI (return on investment) rather than just price, as they are looking for a great long-term company investment.

Originally published here.