Individuals working as laboratory technicians in the pharmaceutical industry work alongside a medical professional, often administrating tests in regards to patient samples, which may be in the form of bodily fluids or tissues. These tests are used primarily in diagnostic efforts so that doctors, dentists and the like can provide effective treatment
Tasks involved with lab tech positions include monitoring testing procedures, examining samples for injuries, bacteria and other infections and matching blood for transfusions and chemical analysis, though duties can vary quite a bit depending on the exact position. Those working in a dental office will have significantly different day-to-day tasks than those working in academic facilities or hospitals, for example. Many posts generally require a Bachelors degree as well as in-house training and Institute of Biomedical Science certification
The average salary for a UK-based laboratory technician is around £23,000 per year. Entry-level positions often start at less than £20,000 and those with numerous years of experience can earn in the neighbourhood of £30,000 per year, though supervisors can see even higher figures.