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Exploring Trades and Occupations

Laboratory Technicians

On this page

  • Job description
  • Advancement and mobility
  • Training and requirements
  • Main skills and characteristics
  • Personality profiles (RIASEC)
  • Additional information

Job description

These individuals perform laboratory analyses and examinations on specimens. They work in laboratories for:

  • Hospital centres
  • Clinics
  • Research facilities
  • Cegeps and Universities
  • Government research

Environment

  • Controlled ambient temperature
  • Biological agents

Main tasks

  • Collect patient specimens (blood, tissue samples, etc.).
  • Write down samples and prepare them for testing.
  • Perform laboratory tests and analyze samples.
  • Ensure quality control of test administration techniques.
  • Set up, clean, prepare, and maintain the laboratory and its equipment.

Advancement and mobility

Laboratory Technicians work mainly in one of the following sectors:

  • Blood banks
  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular biology
  • Cytogenetics and cytology
  • Hematology-haemostasis
  • Immunology
  • Serology
  • Microbiology
  • Anatomopathology
  • Parasitology
  • Sampling

Training and requirements

Formation

Most training programs are offered in French only.

College

DCS in biomedical Laboratory Technology This hyperlink will open in a new window.
Code : 140C0

Placement rate: 87%

9.8% of graduates pursue further studies

More on graduates’ employment situation
DCS in laboratory Technology This hyperlink will open in a new window.
Code : 210A0
DCS in laboratory Technology (Analytical Chemistry) This hyperlink will open in a new window.
Code : 210AB

Placement rate: 64.9%

29.7% of graduates pursue further studies

More on graduates’ employment situation
DCS in laboratory Technology (Biotechnology) This hyperlink will open in a new window.
Code : 210AA

Placement rate: 53.3%

42.2% of graduates pursue further studies

More on graduates’ employment situation

Main skills and characteristics

Skills

  • Information processing
  • Data collection
  • Active listening
  • Reading comprehension
  • Oral expression
  • Critical thought
  • Science
  • Quality control analysis
  • Teaching
  • Result evaluation
  • Written expression
  • Time management
  • Solving complex problems
  • Monitoring operations
  • Active learning
  • Coordination
  • Judgment and decision-making
  • Service oriented
  • Social perception
More Less skills

Abilities

  • Near vision
  • Verbal skills
  • Information organization
  • Awareness of issues
  • Oral comprehension
  • Written comprehension
  • Digital dexterity
  • Selective attention
  • Speech clarity
  • Classification
  • Manual dexterity
  • Written expression
  • Colour perception and distinction
  • Control accuracy
  • Deductive reasoning
  • Speech recognition
  • Processing flexibility
  • Hand-arm stability
  • Basic numeracy
  • Inductive reasoning
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Perception speed
More Less abilities

Knowledge and attributes

  • Capacity to work under pressure
  • Critical thinking
  • Autonomy
  • Sense of responsibility
  • Capacity to work in a team
  • Versatility
  • Rigour
  • Attention to detail
  • Knowledge of biology
  • Knowledge of chemistry

Interests

  • Work manually
  • Conduct tests and trials, control processes

Personality profiles (RIASEC)

Investigative
People with this profile prefer relying on theoretical knowledge before acting. They like observation, analysis and problem solving.
Realistic
People with this profile prefer carrying out concrete tasks and being physically involved in what they do.
Conventional
People with this profile prefer specific, well-defined tasks. They like to respect the order of things and follow established rules.
Additional information

Appellation d'emploi liée (à traduire)

Medical laboratory technicians and pathologists' assistants  (CNP 3212)

Skill type

Health

Related occupations

  • Medical laboratory technicians and pathologists' assistants
  • Medical laboratory technologists
  • Other medical technologists and technicians (except dental health)

See also

  • Glossary (PDF 229 Kb)
  • Québec emploi This hyperlink will open in a new window.

Last update: December 22, 2022

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