Chemical Technician

Overview and Key Facts

What Do They Do?

A chemical technician could...

Overview Listen to this section

The role that the chemical technician plays is the backbone of every chemical, semiconductor, and pharmaceutical manufacturing operation. Chemical technicians conduct experiments, record data, and help to implement new processes and procedures in the laboratory. If you enjoy hands-on work, then you might be interested in the career of a chemical technician.

Do You Have the Skills and Characteristics of a Chemical Technician?

1. Science: ? Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
2. Reading Comprehension: ? Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
3. Critical Thinking: ? Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
4. Writing: ? Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
5. Active Listening: ? Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

6. Monitoring: ? Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
7. Speaking: ? Talking to others to convey information effectively.
8. Active Learning: ? Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
9. Operations Monitoring: ? Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
10. Quality Control Analysis: ? Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

Core Tasks

Think about if you'd like the typical tasks a Chemical Technician might do:

• Conduct chemical or physical laboratory tests to assist scientists in making qualitative or quantitative analyses of solids, liquids, or gaseous materials.
• Maintain, clean, or sterilize laboratory instruments or equipment.
• Monitor product quality to ensure compliance with standards and specifications.
• Prepare chemical solutions for products or processes, following standardized formulas, or create experimental formulas.
• Set up and conduct chemical experiments, tests, and analyses, using techniques such as chromatography, spectroscopy, physical or chemical separation techniques, or microscopy.
• Compile and interpret results of tests and analyses.
• Provide and maintain a safe work environment by participating in safety programs, committees, or teams and by conducting laboratory or plant safety audits.
• Provide technical support or assistance to chemists or engineers.
• Develop or conduct programs of sampling and analysis to maintain quality standards of raw materials, chemical intermediates, or products.
• Train new employees on topics such as the proper operation of laboratory equipment.
• Write technical reports or prepare graphs or charts to document experimental results.
• Order and inventory materials to maintain supplies.