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Biological Technicians: reported tasks and exploration worksheet

Assist biological and medical scientists. Set up, operate, and maintain laboratory instruments and equipment, monitor experiments, collect data and samples, make observations, and calculate and record results. May analyze organic substances, such as blood, food, and drugs.

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Read the task inventory

This source lists 18 tasks, including 13 marked Core and 5 marked Supplemental. Labels and dates are retained below. Employers can combine or divide these responsibilities differently; explore the task itself before assuming it belongs in every version of the role.

Task source dates: 08/2026.

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18 tasks shown

Core · Task 3741 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Conduct research, or assist in the conduct of research, including the collection of information and samples, such as blood, water, soil, plants and animals.

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Core · Task 3749 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Monitor and observe experiments, recording production and test data for evaluation by research personnel.

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Core · Task 3750 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Examine animals and specimens to detect the presence of disease or other problems.

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Core · Task 20981 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Input data into databases.

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Core · Task 3739 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Isolate, identify and prepare specimens for examination.

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Core · Task 3738 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Monitor laboratory work to ensure compliance with set standards.

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Core · Task 3737 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Keep detailed logs of all work-related activities.

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Core · Task 3740 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Use computers, computer-interfaced equipment, robotics or high-technology industrial applications to perform work duties.

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Core · Task 3748 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Measure or weigh compounds and solutions for use in testing or animal feed.

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Core · Task 3744 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Clean, maintain and prepare supplies and work areas.

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Core · Task 3742 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Set up, adjust, calibrate, clean, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory and field equipment.

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Core · Task 3746 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Conduct standardized biological, microbiological or biochemical tests and laboratory analyses to evaluate the quantity or quality of physical or chemical substances in food or other products.

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Core · Task 20982 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Place orders for laboratory equipment and supplies.

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Supplemental · Task 3745 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Participate in the research, development, or manufacturing of medicinal and pharmaceutical preparations.

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Supplemental · Task 3752 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Feed livestock or laboratory animals.

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Supplemental · Task 3747 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Analyze experimental data and interpret results to write reports and summaries of findings.

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Supplemental · Task 3751 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Conduct or supervise operational programs, such as fish hatcheries, greenhouses and livestock production programs.

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Supplemental · Task 3743 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Provide technical support and services for scientists and engineers working in fields such as agriculture, environmental science, resource management, biology, and health sciences.

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Make the shortlist useful

Choose one to three activities that tell you something different about the work. Avoid selecting several ways of describing the same interest.
For each, write an example you can discuss or a question that would change your understanding of the role.
Keep source task IDs with your notes so you can return to the same description. Do not include private employer or customer information.

The exported worksheet distinguishes the reported task from your own notes. It supports exploration, not a hiring decision or a validated assessment.

Keep your worksheet

Download before leaving this page. Unsaved writing remains only in the page and is cleared on refresh. Notes and learning actions are not sent to a server. This guide describes an occupation and supports study planning; it does not provide clinical, legal or equipment-operating procedures.

Source and practice material

Occupational context uses the O*NET® 31.0 Database from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. View the occupation.

Skill Workbench selected and adapted the occupational information and added its own fictional cases, calculations, guidance and worksheets. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these additions. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.