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Career Center :: More Health Informatics Career Profiles
Instrument Or Calibration Technician |
Career OverviewAn instrument or calibration technician is responsible for ensuring the accuracy of any recording or measurement devices used in laboratory, biomedical, or experimental or manufacturing procedures. During everyday use these various measurement devices gradually become less sensitive or even completely inaccurate.
The instrument or calibration technician carefully monitors, tests, adjusts and corrects the measurement devices to the approved industry standards to ensure accuracy and effectiveness in all experimental and laboratory equipments.
An instrument or calibration technician must be very meticulous and accurate as well as be aware of all the industry standards and weights and measures regulations. The tech should also be aware of various laboratory and experimental or biomedical uses for the various measurement equipment and should also be able to advise other researchers and technicians on correct use of the various electronic and analytical equipment in use.
The instrument or calibration technician may also be required to troubleshoot equipment malfunctions and failures, repair or replace various components of the equipment as well as perform standard maintenance on all equipment within the research facility or manufacturing plant.
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Career RequirementsA calibration technician requires a high school diploma and certification through an agency such as ASQ, American Society for Quality. The CCT, or Certified Calibration Technician training allows all three levels of instrument or calibration technicians to be fully informed and aware of all best practices as well as troubleshooting and maintaining equipment.
Those interested in a career as a calibration technician should have a strong mathematical and mechanical background. Electrical experience as well as an ability to read and understand specifications and conduct highly precise calculations and adjustments is required. A certified technician must have at least 1-3 years experience to be considered a Level l, and up to 5 years experience to obtain a Level lll standing.
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Job OutlookIncreased interest in various medical, biotech, environmental, pharmaceutical and manufacturing industries have increased the demand in the marketplace for trained and certified instrument or calibration technicians.
With the continued focus on the development of new techniques and the increase in the number of both private sector and government labs and research facilities the need for experienced calibration technicians is predicted to increase over the next several years.
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Career TrackInstrument or calibration technicians with experience may find that they are able to work in management and maintenance type positions within a research facility. They may also be able to move into product development and even work directly with measurement equipment designers and manufactures in field testing and marketing.
Some calibration technicians branch out into equipment sales to labs and other facilities, as they understand the needs for equipment of the various industries.
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CompensationInstrument or calibration technicians that have little experience can often work under direct supervision of a certified level ll or lll technician. Entry level jobs usually have a yearly income of $23,000 but within a few years the average salary rises to about $41,000.
In addition there are often on-call hours that are billed over and above the standard salary. Many instrument or calibration technicians work for several hospitals or research facilities and rotate between the various agencies rather than working full time for one organization. Very large pharmaceutical companies, research hospitals or universities often employ several full time calibration technicians since they have so much equipment.
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