You’ll need:
• accuracy and attention to detail
• the ability to concentrate for long periods
• excellent hand-eye coordination
• organisational skills
• the ability to work under pressure
Your day-to-day duties might include:
• labelling, sorting and storing specimens
• helping with tissue and fluid sample analysis
• putting together chemical solutions
• loading and operating machines
• using a computer to input and analyse data
• disposing of hazardous waste
• sterilising equipment
• maintaining stock levels
You might also deal with telephone enquiries and file records.
You’ll work with scientists in areas like:
• biochemistry - studying chemical reactions in the body like kidney failure
• histopathology - examining the structure of diseased tissue
• virology - analysing viruses, the diseases they cause, and vaccines
• cytology - studying the structure and function of cells, and screening for cancers
• haematology - analysing diseases of the blood and blood forming tissues
• immunology - examining how the immune system works, for example with allergies
• transfusion science - transferring blood and blood products from one person to another
Salary £24,000 per annum
These figures are a guide.
5. Working hours, patterns and environment
You’ll usually work 37.5 hours a week, Monday to Friday, which may include evenings and weekends.
You’ll be based in clean, and sometimes sterile, lab conditions. You might also work in a clinic, with patients on wards. You may also have clerical duties and spend some time in an office.
You may need to deal with unpleasant or challenging sights and smells from infectious materials, bodily fluids and biological samples.
You’ll usually need to wear protective clothing, gloves, glasses and a mask to prevent contamination.