Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs) are designed to be delivered within a course of education. Some Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours may be more safely and reliably delivered in workplace settings, so may not be fully covered by the HTQ. Some qualifications will deliver additional content or added depth and breadth through, for example, use of specialist learning environments, work placements or innovative teaching methods. Check with the qualification provider if you require further information on coverage.
This occupation is found in a wide range of employers. The employers will typically operate in chemical, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, formulated products or analytical services. Employers can range in size, from large multinational organisations through to smaller businesses. Technician scientists may operate within a science department of a larger organisation or within a smaller science focussed business that provides science services. Technician scientists are typically laboratory-based.
The broad purpose of the occupation is to carry out established laboratory based investigations and scientific experimentation using bench and instrumentation techniques. A technician scientist will apply a range of skills and follow well established principles associated with their organisation’s science and technology. They carry out routine lines of enquiry, development or investigation. They collect scientific information and analyse, interpret and evaluate data. They prepare results and provide progress updates of their work.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with a wider scientific team, which may include laboratory scientists and laboratory technicians. They communicate information, arguments and analysis in a variety of forms to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
An employee in this occupation will be responsible for the quality of the work they undertake. They operate in settings where there is certainty and limited ambiguity. They take personal responsibility for decision making in predictable contexts. They work safely and ethically often under highly regulated conditions because of the need to control quality and safety of scientific products. They critically evaluate appropriateness of commonly used approaches to solve science problems, using a range of approaches to formulate evidence based responses to defined and routine problems and issues within their area of work. They contribute to solutions to problems within the wider scientific team, using appropriate project management procedures. They perform record keeping and checks and use data capture systems relevant to the technical and scientific procedures that they use. They use their awareness of any research interests and the technical context and processes of the laboratory alongside senior team members to contribute to the proposal of new scientific ideas. They may manage resources within a clearly defined area.
| Duty | KSBs |
|---|---|
| Duty 1 Prepare for laboratory-based scientific investigations and experiments. Identifying appropriate scientific techniques, procedures, and methods to meet objectives (including environmental and risk management systems). |
K1
K2
K4
K10
K12
S1
S2
B1
B4
|
| Duty 2 Plan and perform laboratory-based scientific investigations and experiments using specialised techniques, following specified methodologies, and quality standards, and in accordance with relevant H&S procedures and wider regulation/ legislation. |
K3
K5
K10
K11
K14
S1
S2
S4
S5
B1
B4
|
| Duty 3 Use specified instrumentation and laboratory equipment. Calibrate and troubleshoot equipment where required. |
K3
S3
B1
B4
|
| Duty 4 Systematically collect and produce reliable and accurate information from scientific investigations and experiments and keep accurate records. |
K6
K18
S5
S6
B1
|
| Duty 5 Use data analysis tools to process or produce reliable analysis, interpretation, and evaluation of data. |
K7
K9
K18
S6
S8
S9
B1
|
| Duty 6 Collaborate with stakeholders and communicate scientific information. |
K6
K15
K17
S10
S13
S14
S15
B2
|
| Duty 7 Apply scientific techniques for data presentation to scientific and non-scientific audiences. e.g. statistics. |
K6
K7
K17
S10
|
| Duty 8 Recognise problems and apply appropriate scientific methods to identify causes and achieve solutions. |
S13
B3
B5
|
| Duty 9 Maintain knowledge of advances in scientific and sector working practices and participate in continuous business performance improvement. |
K13
K15
K16
K19
S7
S12
S13
S14
S15
B2
B3
B5
|
| Duty 10 Support, organise and manage personal workload and contributes to the development of staff in own area. |
K8
K15
S11
S12
S14
S15
B6
|
K1: Principles of laboratory techniques and scientific experimentation.
Back to Duty
K2: How to apply the principles of laboratory techniques and scientific experimentation to contribute to the development of technical projects and the implementation of new processes.
Back to Duty
K3: Laboratory equipment relevant to the role and the associated maintenance and calibration requirements.
Back to Duty
K4: The key principles of scientific investigation relevant to the role (e.g. route cause analysis or out of specification results).
Back to Duty
K5: Named and recognised scientific theory appropriate to the workplace and role (e.g. Chemistry, Physics or Life Sciences).
Back to Duty
K6: The requirements and significance of reporting results, considering the importance of accuracy, precision, and recognising trends.
Back to Duty
K7: Mathematical concepts and techniques relevant to the work role (e.g. basic statistical analysis, relating to sampling and data to evaluate results).
Back to Duty
K8: The basic principles and procedures of project management and how to contribute to project plans with other team members (e.g. project timeline & milestones).
Back to Duty
K9: Business requirements pertaining to record-keeping, traceability & confidentiality, and quality control systems.
Back to Duty
K10: The internal and external regulatory environment pertinent to the work role and how to comply with regulations.
Back to Duty
K11: The importance of operating ethically and sustainably, complying with codes of conduct, and the impact of this on business operations, the wider sector, society, and the environment.
Back to Duty
K12: How the role impacts on the business and the environment in which it operates (e.g idea creation, innovation, and enterprise).
Back to Duty
K13: The importance of consulting reliable sources of information to keep up to date with scientific, role, or sector knowledge and ways to communicate this to team members.
Back to Duty
K14: Health and safety and environmental regulations, procedures, documentation, and risk management systems applicable to the role.
Back to Duty
K15: Importance of developing soft skills (people and interpersonal) relevant to the role.
Back to Duty
K16: Different approaches and methods, for use in the identification, design, development, and implementation of solutions to technical problems.
Back to Duty
K17: Techniques used to identify and manage stakeholder expectations including compliance with codes of conduct.
Back to Duty
K18: The importance and impact of good record keeping.
Back to Duty
K19: How digital technology enables the functionality of the working environment to be adaptable to change.
Back to Duty
S1: Identify potential scientific techniques to meet defined objectives.
Back to Duty
S2: Review and select appropriate scientific techniques to undertake required tasks (consider risk management, safe working practices, equipment availability, quality standards, the environment, and sustainability).
Back to Duty
S3: Source and calibrate specified instrumentation and laboratory equipment.
Back to Duty
S4: Plan and perform laboratory-based investigations and scientific experimentation using scientific techniques, procedures, and methods relevant to the role.
Back to Duty
S5: Systematically obtain information when conducting scientific experiments.
Back to Duty
S6: Record and store data in accordance with regulatory requirements.
Back to Duty
S7: Contribute to the development or improvement of processes and methodologies and support their implementation into the business as part of a wider team.
Back to Duty
S8: Use data analysis tools and software packages to process or produce reliable, accurate data or information.
Back to Duty
S9: Interpret scientific data to inform actions or recommendations and escalate where required.
Back to Duty
S10: Present the results of scientific work to scientific and non-scientific audiences in written and oral form.
Back to Duty
S11: Plan and prioritise own tasks and complete work to schedule whilst maintaining compliance with internal and external requirements.
Back to Duty
S12: Contribute to recommendations, improvements, or scientific solutions to meet the requirements of internal or external customers.
Back to Duty
S13: Identify, develop or contribute to solutions to technical problems.
Back to Duty
S14: Collaborate with stakeholders and identify results requiring further investigation or escalation.
Back to Duty
S15: Keeps up to date with advances in scientific and sector working practices and technologies. Shares best practice across the team.
Back to Duty
B1: Acts in a professional and ethical manner (demonstrates reliability, integrity, and respect for confidentiality).
Back to Duty
B2: Acts in a way that builds and maintains positive relationships with stakeholders (takes account of the impact of own work on others, internally and externally).
Back to Duty
B3: Committed to continuous professional development (handles and responds positively to change, adjusting to different conditions, technologies, situations, and environments).
Back to Duty
B4: Committed to adopting safe working practices.
Back to Duty
B5: Committed to the adoption of environmentally sustainable working practices.
Back to Duty
B6: Resilient under pressure.
Back to Duty
Awarding body: University of Plymouth
Awarding body: Luminate Education Group
Awarding body: Lancaster University
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