Chemical Technologists and Technicians

Nature of work

Chemical technologists and technicians provide technical support and services or may work independently in chemical engineering, chemical and biochemical research and analysis, industrial chemistry, chemical quality control and environmental protection. They work for research and development and quality control laboratories, consulting engineering companies, in chemical, petrochemical, pharmaceutical and a variety of other manufacturing and processing industries, and by utilities, health, educational and government organizations.

Job duties

Chemical technologists:

• Set up and run chemical experiments, tests and analyses using techniques like chromatography, spectroscopy, physical and chemical separation techniques, and microscopy.
• Use and maintain laboratory equipment and apparatus and prepare solutions of gas or liquid, reagents, and sample formulations.
• Compile records and interpret experimental or analytical results.
• Develop and run programs of sampling and analysis to maintain quality standards of raw materials, chemical intermediates, and products.
• Help develop chemical engineering processes, studies of chemical engineering procurement, construction, inspection and maintenance and the development of standards, procedures and health and safety measures.
• Use experimental chemical or petrochemical pilot plants.
• Conduct or help in air and water quality testing and assessments, environmental monitoring and protection activities, and development of and compliance with standards.
• Help in synthesis of small molecules for the purpose of creating drug candidates.
• Help design and make experimental apparatus.

Chemical technicians:

• Help set up and run chemical experiments, tests, and analyses.
• Use and maintain laboratory equipment and apparatus and prepare solutions of gas and liquid, reagents, and sample formulations.
• Compile records for analytical studies.
• Help develop and run programs of sampling and analysis to maintain quality standards.
• Carry out a limited range of other technical functions in support of chemical research, tests and analyses, and environmental air and water quality monitoring and protection.
• Help design and make experimental apparatus.

Sample job titles

• biochemistry technologist
• chemical analyst
• chemical engineering technologist
• chemical process analyst
• chemical research technologist
• chemical technician
• food technician
• geochemical technician
• pharmaceuticals inspector
• quality control technician

Skills

• The skills and aptitudes for these jobs are as varied as the entrance requirements. You should be interested in science and technology and be able to work with detailed processes, machines, and techniques. Familiarity with computers is necessary for some positions. An aptitude for mathematics and the sciences at the high school level is important. Some of these jobs involve exposure to heat, noise, vibration, fumes, and dust, while other jobs are in a relatively clean laboratory environment.

Job requirements

• Chemical technologists usually require completion of a two- or three-year college program in chemical, biochemical or chemical engineering technology or a closely related discipline.
• Chemical technicians usually require completion of a one- or two-year college program in chemical, biochemical or chemical engineering technology.
• National certification for chemical technologists and technicians is available through the Canadian Society for Chemical Technology.
• Certification in chemical engineering technology or in a related field is available through provincial associations of engineering/applied science technologists and technicians and may be required by employers.
• A period of supervised work experience, usually two years, is required before certification.

Other considerations

• Considerable movement is possible among jobs within this occupational group. Movement to managerial positions is possible with experience. Some chemical technologists and technicians working in support of fundamental research in chemistry or biochemistry are university graduates.

No regulating bodies were found under this occupation profile

Contacts

There are no additional resources for this occupation.