BIOLOGICAL TECHNICIAN

Job Definition:

Job Description:

• Assist biological and medical scientists in laboratories. Set up, operate, and maintain laboratory instruments and equipment, monitor experiments, make observations, and calculate and record results. May analyze organic substances, such as blood, food, and drugs.`

Duties and Tasks:

• 1) Conduct, or assist in conducting, research, including the collection of information and samples, such as blood, water, soil, plants and animals.
• 2) Set up, adjust, calibrate, clean, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory and field equipment.
• 3) Provide technical support and services for scientists and engineers working in fields such as agriculture, environmental science, resource management, biology, and health sciences.
• 4) Clean, maintain and prepare supplies and work areas.
• 5) Participate in the research, development, and manufacturing of medicinal and pharmaceutical preparations.
• 6) Conduct standardized biological, microbiological and biochemical tests and laboratory analyses to evaluate the quantity or quality of physical or chemical substances in food and other products.
• 7) Analyze experimental data and interpret results to write reports and summaries of findings.
• 8) Measure or weigh compounds and solutions for use in testing or animal feed.
• 9) Monitor and observe experiments, recording production and test data for evaluation by research personnel.
• 10) Examine animals and specimens to detect the presence of disease or other problems.
• 11) Conduct or supervise operational programs such as fish hatcheries, greenhouses and livestock production programs.
• 12) Feed livestock and laboratory animals.
• 13) Keep detailed logs of all work-related activities.
• 14) Monitor laboratory work to ensure compliance with set standards.
• 15) Isolate, identify and prepare specimens for examination.
• 16) Use computers, computer-interfaced equipment, robotics and high-technology industrial applications to perform work duties.

Activities:

• 1) Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• 2) Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• 3) Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• 4) Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• 5) Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• 6) Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• 7) Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• 8) Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• 9) Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• 10) Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• 11) Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• 12) Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• 13) Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• 14) Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• 15) Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• 16) Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
• 17) Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• 18) Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment — Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• 19) Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them
• over time.
  20) Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

Abilities:

• 1) Information Ordering — The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
• 2) Problem Sensitivity — The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
• 3) Deductive Reasoning — The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
• 4) Near Vision — The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
• 5) Selective Attention — The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
• 6) Oral Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
• 7) Written Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
• 8) Oral Comprehension — The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
• 9) Written Comprehension — The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
• 10) Category Flexibility — The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
• 11) Speech Recognition — The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
• 12) Inductive Reasoning — The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
• 13) Speech Clarity — The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
• 14) Number Facility — The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
• 15) Perceptual Speed — The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
• 16) Far Vision — The ability to see details at a distance.
• 17) Mathematical Reasoning — The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
• 18) Arm-Hand Steadiness — The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.

Knowledge:

• Biology — Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.