Chemical technicians are responsible for three things: processing chemicals, filling orders, and writing reports. From pharmaceuticals to manufacturing, this position can be found in a variety of industries. A chemical technician typically works with specialized equipment and has prior experience working with chemicals. Most chemical technicians specialize in a specific industry or type of technology in order to provide better service and to concentrate their careers in that area.
Responsibilities
The chemical technician is responsible for adhering to all safety and testing protocols, regardless of the industry. To fill these positions on their staffs, most companies hire dedicated chemical technicians. Chemical technicians are in charge of processing chemicals for the most part. This may entail combining different chemicals or separating them using a variety of techniques.
Duties
The chemical technician’s primary responsibility is to fulfill chemical orders. The amount of work required can range from a complex processing request to a simple distillation job that takes several hours. Orders are accepted, prioritized, and processed.
As part of their job, chemical technicians are required to write reports. They don’t usually do chemical analysis, but they’ll have to document the process, the values recorded at various stages, and any batch issues. This information is extremely valuable, and it is reviewed on a regular basis to ensure that it is of high quality.
Opportunities
Chemical technicians typically advance their careers through a combination of additional education and experience. Processing chemists or chemical engineers typically hold supervisory or managerial positions in laboratories. Candidates with a lot of experience who have taken management or advanced processing techniques courses can advance to senior technician or technical adviser positions.
Required Characteristics
Chemical technicians who enjoy working with details, are good problem solvers, and have excellent research skills report the highest levels of satisfaction. Chemical technicians are typically employed in laboratories and have little contact with clients. Their primary goal is to fulfill the request and ensure that proper procedures are followed.
Requirements
A post-secondary education is usually required to work as a chemical technician. The majority of technicians have completed two- or three-year community college or career college programs. These programs are primarily concerned with actual laboratory processes and methodologies. Students can specialize in specific areas or industries in the final year of these programs.