Genetic Laboratory Technician?

Question

I need to know the educational requirements, salary, availability of jobs and location, and working conditions for a genetics laboratory technician. i am having no luck finding these and was hoping that some yahoo people might help.

thx!

Answer 1

Depends on what kind of laboratory you are talking about. In a clinical genetics lab (ie a hospital) you might be conducting molecular genetic tests for various diseases (cancer, AIDs, etc) you can also work in a cytogenetics laboratory extracting chromosomes from cells to look under a microscopes for mutations in chromosomes. Samples may be from from amniocentesis  tests from pregnant mothers, bone marrow from cancer patients etc. Most only require a college BS in biology or perhaps a lab tech degree.

  Molecular research lab technicians work on a much broader range of research from developmental biology, neuroscience, endocrinology etc. The skill set is broader here and a M.S helps but is not required. Either way the salaries start in the $20k to $30k range and increase with experience.

Hope this helps

Answer 2

I was a lab tech for 12 years before I became a genetic counselor.  It only requires a BS in biology, biochemistry, genetics, microbiology, etc.  The pay is not that great.  Private corporations pay more than a University setting.  If you like test tubes, working with your hands, being precise, and working your tail off for your supervisor, it may be a good fit.