| Detail | For this role |
|---|---|
| Department | Allied Health |
| Level | Entry level |
| Reports to | Laboratory Manager |
| Direct reports | None |
| Experience | Fresher or up to 5 years in a diagnostic lab |
Lab Technician job description template
Copy this job description, replace the text in square brackets and post it on your careers page or a job portal.
Job title: Lab Technician
Department: Allied Health
Reports to: Laboratory Manager
Location: [City], [office, branch or site]
About the role
A Lab Technician runs diagnostic tests across pathology: collecting or receiving samples, running analysers, and reporting results the doctor uses. They handle blood, urine and other samples, perform biochemistry, haematology and basic microbiology tests, and keep quality control on the analysers. The role reports to the Laboratory Manager or pathologist. A good lab technician produces accurate, on time results with sound quality control, handles samples safely with correct labelling, and flags critical values to the doctor without delay.
Key responsibilities
- Receive and check samples against requests and reject unsuitable or mislabelled ones.
- Collect blood samples where required and label them correctly at the bedside.
- Run biochemistry, haematology and basic microbiology tests on the analysers.
- Run daily quality control and calibration before releasing patient results.
- Verify results, repeat when needed, and report through the lab system.
- Flag critical values to the doctor or ward immediately per protocol.
- Maintain analysers, record maintenance and manage reagents and stock.
- Follow biosafety, waste segregation and infection control in the lab.
- Keep test records, registers and sample traceability accurate and up to date.
- Support external quality assurance programmes and internal audits of the laboratory.
Requirements
- DMLT or BSc in Medical Laboratory Technology
- Hands-on lab training
- Knowledge of quality control practices
- Fresher or up to 5 years in a diagnostic lab
KRAs and KPIs for a Lab Technician
Key result areas for the appraisal form, each with a KPI you can measure every month or quarter.
| Key result area | How to measure it |
|---|---|
| Result accuracy | Results passing quality control before release on every analytical run |
| Turnaround | Routine tests reported within the agreed turnaround time |
| Critical values | Critical values communicated to the doctor within the target minutes |
| Sample integrity | Sample rejection and mislabelling handled per protocol with no wrong report |
| Quality control | Daily quality control and calibration completed with no skipped run |
| Biosafety | Biosafety and waste protocols followed with no lapse in the month |
Skills and tools
Tools used day to day: Biochemistry analyser, Haematology cell counter, Centrifuge, Microscope, Laboratory information system.
Reporting line and career path
Next roles: Senior Lab Technician, Laboratory In-Charge, Quality Officer
Interview questions for a Lab Technician
- Why do you run quality control before releasing patient results?
- How do you decide whether to reject a sample that has arrived?
- What do you do when a result is a critical value?
- How do you troubleshoot an analyser that gives an unexpected result?
- What biosafety steps do you follow when handling blood samples?
- Tell me about an error you caught before a report went out.
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What does a lab technician do?
A lab technician runs diagnostic tests across pathology. They receive or collect samples, run biochemistry, haematology and basic microbiology tests on analysers, and keep quality control. They verify and report results, flag critical values to the doctor at once, maintain the analysers, and follow biosafety. Their work gives doctors the results they need to diagnose and treat.
What qualifications do you need to be a lab technician?
Most lab technicians hold a DMLT or a BSc in medical laboratory technology and train in a diagnostic lab. Employers look for accurate sample handling and analyser operation, an understanding of quality control, the discipline to flag critical values quickly, and strict biosafety. Attention to detail matters because results guide patient care.
What is the difference between a lab technician and a lab technologist?
A lab technician runs tests and operates analysers under supervision. A lab technologist, usually with a higher qualification, takes on more responsibility for quality management, method validation and supervising technicians. The technologist role is often a step up for an experienced technician who takes on quality and leadership work in the lab.