Chemical Tech

Conduct chemical and physical laboratory tests to assist scientists in making qualitative and quantitative analyses of solids, liquids, and gaseous materials for research and development of new products or processes, quality control, maintenance of environmental standards, and other work involving experimental, theoretical, or practical application of chemistry and related sciences.

O*NET reports this occupation under titles such as: Analytical Laboratory Technician (Analytical Lab Technician); Chemical Analyst; Chemical Technician; Laboratory Analyst (Lab Analyst); Laboratory Technician (Lab Tech); Laboratory Tester (Lab Tester); Organic Preparation Analyst (Organic Prep Analyst); Quality Control Laboratory Technician (QC Lab Tech); Quality Control Technician (QC Tech); Research Technician

Tasks

• 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.
• Set up and conduct chemical experiments, tests, and analyses, using techniques such as chromatography, spectroscopy, physical or chemical separation techniques, or microscopy.
• Prepare chemical solutions for products or processes, following standardized formulas, or create experimental formulas.
• 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.

Knowledge

• Chemistry
• English Language
• Mathematics
• Computers and Electronics

Skills

• Science
• Reading Comprehension
• Critical Thinking
• Active Listening
• Writing
• Monitoring
• Speaking
• Active Learning
• Learning Strategies
• Mathematics

Abilities

• Written Comprehension
• Near Vision
• Written Expression
• Oral Comprehension
• Problem Sensitivity
• Inductive Reasoning
• Information Ordering
• Oral Expression
• Deductive Reasoning
• Category Flexibility
• Speech Clarity
• Speech Recognition
• Mathematical Reasoning
• Flexibility of Closure
• Visualization
• Selective Attention
• Arm-Hand Steadiness
• Manual Dexterity
• Finger Dexterity
• Control Precision
• Fluency of Ideas
• Originality
• Number Facility
• Speed of Closure
• Perceptual Speed
• Visual Color Discrimination