Biological Technician

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Overview

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Requirements

71% Match

Career Spectrum

Resources

Overview

Description
Biological technicians are typically responsible for doing scientific tests, experiments, and
analyses under the supervision of biologists or other scientists who direct and evaluate
their work. Biological technicians use traditional laboratory instruments, advanced
robotics, and automated equipment to conduct experiments. They use specialized
computer software to collect, analyze, and model experimental data. Some biological
technicians will need to collect samples. To do this, they may need to have certain skills,
such as handling a boat, so they can collect water samples.
Sample Job Titles: Research Assistant, Resource Biologist, Wildlife Biology Technician

Provincial Outlook

Estimated Salary

$66,774 - $94,777
Learn More

Education Level
Secondary School
On-the-job Training
College/Apprenticeship

Learn More

Compatibility

71%
Match

Related Occupations

Crime Scene Investigator

University

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Biological Technicians Career Profile

Assist biological and medical
scientists in laboratories.
Set...

Workplace

Work Environment
Biological technicians typically work in laboratories and offices, where they conduct
experiments and analyze the results under the supervision of biological scientists and
medical scientists. Some biological technicians who do fieldwork may be exposed to
weather events and wildlife, such as mosquitoes.
Biological technicians must follow strict procedures to avoid contaminating the
experiment, themselves, or the environment. Some experiments may involve dangerous
organisms or toxic substances.
Biological technicians work together on teams under the direction of biologists or other
scientists.

Main Duties

Clean, maintain and prepare supplies and work areas.

Set up, adjust, calibrate, clean, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory and field
equipment.
Keep detailed logs of all work-related activities.
Use computers, computer-interfaced equipment, robotics or high-technology
industrial applications to perform work duties.
Analyze experimental data and interpret results to write reports and summaries of
findings.
Conduct research or assist in the conduct of research, including the collection of
information and samples, such as blood, water, soil, plants and animals.
Measure or weigh compounds and solutions for use in testing or animal feed.
Monitor laboratory work to ensure compliance with set standards.
Monitor and observe experiments, recording production and test data for evaluation
by research personnel.
Provide technical support and services for scientists and engineers working in fields
such as agriculture, environmental science, resource management, biology, and health
sciences.

Important Skills

Analytical skills. Biological technicians need to be able to conduct scientific

experiments and analyses with accuracy and precision.
Communication skills. Biological technicians must be able to understand and follow
the instructions of their managing scientists. They also need to be able to clearly
communicate their processes and findings in written reports.
Critical-thinking skills. Biological technicians draw conclusions from experimental
results through sound reasoning and judgment.

Observational skills. Biological technicians must constantly monitor their

experiments. They need to keep a complete, accurate record of their work, such as the
conditions under which the experiment was carried out, the procedures they followed,
and the results they obtained.
Technical skills. Biological technicians must be able to set up and operate
sophisticated equipment and instruments. They may also need to adjust equipment to
ensure that experiments are conducted properly.

Career Cluster

This cluster includes everything from working as an engineer

in aerospace, hazardous waste to telecommunications on
the technology and engineering side. Under science and
mathematics occupations include everything from being a

Science, Technology,

chemist, to an anthropologist, nutritionist to cartographer.

Engineering and

Specific tasks can include providing scientific research and

Mathematics

professional and technical services, laboratory and testing

services, and research and development services.

Outlook

Job Outlook

Alberta
British Columbia
Manitoba
New Brunswick
Newfoundland and Labrador
Nova Scotia
Northwest Territories

Not Available

Nunavut

Not Available

Ontario
Prince Edward Island
Quebec
Saskatchewan
Yukon

Not Available

Job Outlook based on NOC 3212 (Medical laboratory technicians and pathologists' assistants)

View Regional Data

Salary Ranges

Canada

$39,856 - $84,323

Alberta

$66,774 - $94,777

British Columbia

$24,080 - $78,918

Manitoba

$52,167 - $73,034

New Brunswick

$33,387 - $80,254

Newfoundland and Labrador

$56,674 - $78,730

Nova Scotia

$31,300 - $80,254

Northwest Territories

Not Available

Nunavut

Not Available

Ontario

$40,669 - $85,241

Prince Edward Island

Not Available

Quebec

$41,734 - $68,860

Saskatchewan

$67,984 - $86,430

Yukon

Not Available

Salary Ranges are based on hourly rates for NOC 3212 (Medical laboratory technicians and pathologists' assistants) and an estimated
2086 hours per year

View Regional Data

Employment Growth

2012

105,015

2013

107,893

2014

110,182

2015

112,273

2016

114,030

2017

115,407

2018

116,749

2019

118,116

2020

119,195

2021

120,370

2022

121,604

Employment Growth based on Stats Canada Occupation Group 321

Requirements

Education Level

Secondary School

On-the-job Training

College/Apprenticeship

University

Requirements

Completion of a one- to two-year college program in a related field is required for

employment as a biological technician.
Certification with provincial associations is available, but voluntary.

Subject Areas

Computers

Mathematics

Science

Related Programs

Chemical and
Environmental...

Health Science

Health Studies

University of Calgary

University of Toronto - St.

British Columbia Institute of

George Campus

Technology

Career Spectrum

Interests

Your Interest Type is

This occupation is a

THE CONTRACTOR (RI)

GOOD MATCH

Match Results

Your Results

Realistic

Occupation Results

Investigative
75%

65%

89%

67%

Social

Artistic
54%

44%

11%

6%

Enterprising

Conventional
38%

33%

22%

61%

Knowledge

Your top subject area is

This occupation is a

TECHNICAL & TRADES

SLIGHT MATCH

Match Results

Your Results

Physical Education

Occupation Results

Technical & Trades

56%

56%

42%

Business

27%

Computers
56%

50%

20%

37%

Languages

Science
50%

39%

13%

41%

Social Science

Mathematics
39%

33%

16%

32%

Creative Arts

English
33%

33%

18%

12%

Motivations

Your top motivation factor is

This occupation is a

WORKING CONDITIONS

GOOD MATCH

Match Results

Your Results

Achievement

Occupation Results

Working Conditions
83%

83%

56%

47%

Relationships

Independence
53%

47%

39%

45%

Support

Recognition
44%

39%

56%

33%

Compatibility
Clean, maintain and prepare supplies and work areas.

Maybe not

Set up, adjust, calibrate, clean, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory and field
equipment.

Somewhat

Keep detailed logs of all work-related activities.

Maybe not

Use computers, computer-interfaced equipment, robotics or high-technology

industrial applications to perform work duties.

Somewhat

Analyze experimental data and interpret results to write reports and

summaries of findings.

Maybe not

Conduct research or assist in the conduct of research, including the collection

of information and samples, such as blood, water, soil, plants and animals.

Somewhat

Measure or weigh compounds and solutions for use in testing or animal feed.

Just a bit

Monitor laboratory work to ensure compliance with set standards.

Somewhat

Monitor and observe experiments, recording production and test data for
evaluation by research personnel.

Somewhat

Provide technical support and services for scientists and engineers working in
fields such as agriculture, environmental science, resource management,
biology, and health sciences.

Resources

Just a bit

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Crime scene investigators

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laboratory, survey, and

help investigate crimes by

and engineers in exploring

other research initiatives.

collecting and analyzing...

and...

They...

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Helpful Links
Ontario:
College of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Ontario
www.cmlto.com
Alberta:
College of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Alberta
http://cmlta.org/
Saskatchewan:
Saskatchewan Society of Medical Laboratory Technologists
www.ssmlt.ca
New Brunswick:
New Brunswick Society of Medical Laboratory Technologists
www.nbsmlt.nb.ca/index.asp

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