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The COVID-19 pandemic has reemphasized the need for experienced lab technicians to assist the health professions. With hundreds of millions of SARS-CoV-2 tests required to help limit the spread of the virus, the scarcity of lab technicians is proving a challenge in laboratories worldwide.
Increased demand for sampling in medical laboratories was already a problem in the years leading up to the pandemic. The American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS) noted a workforce shortage as far back as 2018. In Europe and the United Kingdom, a lack of skilled lab workers and an aging professional population could lead to a shortage of 700,000 technicians by 2030.
The demand for qualified lab technicians will grow by 11% over the next eight years in the US alone. So, if you’re considering a career as a lab technician, this is good news. To address the workforce shortage of laboratory professionals, the ASCLS calls for expansions of programs that attract new talent to scientific careers.
For anyone wondering if a career in analytical science and sampling is right for them, here are five reasons to consider becoming a laboratory technician.
It may depend on the company or institution you want to join, but lab work can be very flexible if you find the ideal environment.
Lab technicians could end up working in hospitals, research facilities, long-term care institutions, or clinics. Each of these settings will have different requirements, and if you need a flexible schedule, you’ll likely find a job that could accommodate your needs.
Although workloads will dictate how much time you’ll spend in the laboratory, you won’t necessarily end up with a regular nine-to-five job.
Lab technicians work at the intersection of science, technology, and healthcare. The field is constantly evolving with new methodologies and research. If you are someone who enjoys working in areas that push human knowledge, becoming a lab technician will keep you on your toes for the rest of your career.
Disruptions in medical sciences and biotechnology are common occurrences, and laboratory technicians are often responsible for implementing the latest innovations.
In the future, the need for humans in clinical settings will only increase. Even with automated systems and instruments, advanced research will depend on technicians who can operate new technologies, understand the results, and report findings without losing the necessary context.
Unlike physicians or nursing staff, lab techs do not need to develop the soft skills required for patient care.
Instead, you can focus on your sampling and analysis tasks, ensuring you provide accurate and consistent results.
If dealing with patients isn’t something you’re comfortable with, but you want to contribute to advances in the health sciences, becoming a lab technician is the ideal compromise.
In the future, the need for humans in clinical settings will only increase. Even with automated systems and instruments, advanced research will depend on technicians who can operate new technologies, understand the results, and report findings without losing the necessary context.
Lab technicians are essential to advance medicines, treatments, and our understanding of biology.
Researchers could spend years at university or college learning theoretical methods before entering a lab setting. As a lab technician, you could qualify in as little as two years. Laboratory technologists can also advance their careers with on-the-job training and specialization. This makes it an exciting field for curious individuals who have an affinity for understanding new technologies.
If you love learning new skills while performing your daily workflows, becoming a lab technician is the ideal career path to follow.
Gilson is at the forefront of developing new solutions to support the daily workflows in laboratories worldwide. For lab technicians, we provide systems that ease workloads and improve sampling accuracy.
With increased demand in laboratories around the world, get in touch with Gilson to see how we can help ease your workloads.
Choose our cost-effective, bundled PIPETMAN® L starter kit for everything you need to start your experiments. Our starter kits include pipettes, tips and tip ejectors, pipette holders, Gilson’s Guide to Pipetting, and our two-minute inspection poster.
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