Bacteriology technicians provide technical assistance in researching and testing bacteria using laboratory equipment. They collect and analyse data for experiments, compile reports and maintain laboratory stock.
Bacteriology technicians work in clean, well-lit, and well-ventilated laboratories. They wear protective clothing, such as gloves, gowns, and masks, to prevent contamination of the samples they are testing. They work with dangerous microorganisms and must take care to avoid contact with them.
Bacteriology technicians typically work regular hours, although they may be required to work evenings or weekends to meet the demands of their job. They may also be on call to respond to emergencies, such as a power outage or equipment failure, that could jeopardize the integrity of the laboratory’s work.
An associate’s degree in biology or a similar field is generally the minimum required to work as a bacteriology technician. Some positions may require a bachelor’s degree. Earning a Bachelor of Science in microbiology provides with a foundational background in biological principles, general chemistry, microbiology and physics.
ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:
the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.
Bacteriology technician is a Skill level 3 occupation.
These occupations require some skills and knowledge of bacteriology technician. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of bacteriology technician with a significant experience and/or extensive training.
This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of bacteriology technician.
Microbiology-bacteriology: Microbiology-Bacteriology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
Laboratory equipment: The tools and equipment used by scientists and other scientific professionals in a laboratory.
Laboratory techniques: Techniques applied in the different fields of natural science in order to obtain experimental data such as gravimetric analysis, gas chromatography, electronic or thermic methods.
Molecular biology: The interactions between the various systems of a cell, the interactions between the different types of genetic material and how these interactions are regulated.
Biology: Tissues, cells, and functions of plant and animal organisms and their interdependencies and interactions with each other and the environment.
Scientific research methodology: The theoretical methodology used in scientific research involving doing background research, constructing an hypothesis, testing it, analysing data and concluding the results.
These skills are necessary for the role of bacteriology technician.
Perform laboratory tests: Carry out tests in a laboratory to produce reliable and precise data to support scientific research and product testing.
Maintain laboratory equipment: Clean laboratory glassware and other equipment after use and inspect it for damage or corrosion in order to ensure its proper functioning.
Perform scientific research: Gain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.
Apply safety procedures in laboratory: Make sure that laboratory equipment is used in a safe manner and the handling of samples and specimens is correct. Work to ensure the validity of results obtained in research.
Use laboratory equipment: Make correct use of laboratory equipment when working in a laboratory.
Apply scientific methods: Apply scientific methods and techniques to investigate phenomena, by acquiring new knowledge or correcting and integrating previous knowledge.
Calibrate laboratory equipment: Calibrate laboratory equipment by comparing between measurements: one of known magnitude or correctness, made with a trusted device and a second measurement from another piece of laboratory equipment. Make the measurements in as similar a way as possible.
Write technical reports: Compose technical customer reports understandable for people without technical background.
Manage inventory: Control product inventory in balance of availability and storage costs.
Collect biological data: Collect biological specimens, record and summarise biological data for use in technical studies, developing environmental management plans and biological products.
This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of bacteriology technician. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.
Parasitology: The microbiology field that study parasites, their formation, and their hosts.
Biological chemistry: Biological chemistry is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
Botany: The taxonomy or classification of plant life, phylogeny and evolution, anatomy and morphology, and physiology.
Virology: The structure, characteristics, evolution and interactions of viruses and the diseases they cause.
Clinical cytology: The science of the formation, structure, and function of cells.
Communicable diseases: Communicable diseases is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
Immunology: Immunology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
Pharmaceutical industry: The main stakeholders, companies and procedures in the pharmaceutical industry and the laws and regulations that govern the patenting, testing, safety and marketing of drugs.
Hazardous waste storage: The regulations and procedures surrounding the safekeeping of materials and substances which pose health and safety risks.
These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of bacteriology technician. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.
Maintain database: Maintain a freelance database that offers extra support to your teams and is able to calculate negotiating costs.
Write research proposals: Synthetise and write proposals aiming to solve research problems. Draft the proposal baseline and objectives, the estimated budget, risks and impact. Document the advances and new developments on the relevant subject and field of study.
Assist in clinical trials: Work with fellow scientists on clinical trials in order to improve medical methods for preventing, detecting, diagnosing, or treating diseases.
Analyse cell cultures: Analyse cell cultures grown from tissue samples, performing also screening of the cervical smear to detect fertility issues.
Keep task records: Organise and classify records of prepared reports and correspondence related to the performed work and progress records of tasks.
Prepare visual data: Prepare charts and graphs in order to present data in a visual manner.
Label samples: Label raw material/ product samples for laboratory checks, according to implemented quality system.
Preserve samples: Preserve collected and labelled samples of raw materials and other food products. Preserve samples applying chemical or physical methods.
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