Laboratory technician, tissue

Medical and pathology laboratory technicians perform clinical tests on specimens of bodily fluids and tissues to obtain information about a patient's health or cause of death.

• conducting chemical analyses of bodily fluids, blood and urine to determine the presence of normal and abnormal components;
• operating, calibrating and maintaining equipment for quantitative and qualitative analysis such as spectrophotometers, calorimeters, flame photometers and computerised analysers;
• entering data from laboratory test analyses and clinical results into reporting systems for physicians and other health professionals;
• analysing samples of biological material for chemical content or reaction;
• setting up, cleaning and maintaining laboratory equipment;
• analysing laboratory data to verify the accuracy of results;
• introducing and monitoring programmes to ensure the accuracy of laboratory results, and developing, standardising, evaluating and modifying procedures, techniques and tests used in sample analysis;
• receiving samples, and culturing, isolating and identifying micro-organisms for analysis;
• examining stained cells to locate abnormalities;
• inoculating living organisms with micro-organisms and viruses for vaccination purposes.
• Examples of occupations in this unit group:
• Laboratory technician, blood banks
• Laboratory technician, pathology
• Laboratory technician, cells (cytology)
• Medical laboratory technician