{{Distinguish|text=Medical laboratory scientist}} {{Short description|Profession}} {{One source|date=July 2019}} thumb|An Iranian laboratory technician at work A '''laboratory technician''' or (informally) '''lab tech''' is a person who works in a laboratory performing analytical or experimental procedures, maintaining laboratory equipment.
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the first use of the term laboratory technician was in 1896:<ref>{{Cite journal|date=1896|journal=St Louis Clinique|volume=9|pages=395}}</ref><blockquote>It [''sc.'' a therapeutic property] is now totally abandoned by the advanced laboratory technicians.</blockquote>The term is now widely accepted. Laboratory technicians are found in a wide range of scientific fields, including forensic science, pathology, chemistry, biomedical science and physics. Laboratory technicians may hold a range of formal academic qualifications, such as associate degrees, often obtained through vocational education. They are usually supervised by laboratory managers.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/natural-sciences-managers.htm#tab-1 |title=Natural Sciences Managers |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=September 8, 2022 |website=Occupational Outlook Handbook |publisher=U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |access-date=October 23, 2022}}</ref>
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Category:1890s neologisms Category:Science occupations Category:Technicians
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