Reference
The goal of a chemical analysis laboratory assistant is to obtain information about the chemical composition or chemical properties of certain samples of liquids, gases, vapors and solids. Information of this kind is extremely valuable. Thanks to these data, they control the quality of raw materials and finished products in various industries, conduct all kinds of scientific experiments, find out the degree of environmental pollution, determine the volume and composition of fertilizers needed to feed the soil, etc. Any product and product in the production process, to one degree or another, faces the procedure of chemical analysis.
Demand for the profession
Quite in demand
Representatives of the profession are quite in demand in the labor market. Despite the fact that universities produce a large number of specialists in this field, many companies and many enterprises require qualified ones.
Description of activity
Chemical analysis laboratory assistants carry out chemical and physico-chemical analysis of various substances: ores, oil and oil products, steels of various grades, metal alloys, acids, salts, etc. These data are necessary to control the compliance of technological process products and finished products with specified standards.
The uniqueness of the profession
Pretty common
The majority of respondents believe that the profession Chemical analysis laboratory assistant can not be called rare, in our country it is quite common. For several years, the labor market has seen a demand for representatives of the profession Chemical analysis laboratory assistant despite the fact that a lot of specialists graduate every year.
How users rated this criterion:What specialty do you need
What kind of education is needed
Secondary vocational education (college, technical school)
To work in a profession Chemical analysis laboratory assistant It is not necessary to have a higher professional education in the relevant specialty. For this profession, it is enough to have a diploma of secondary vocational education obtained at a college or technical school, or, for example, it is enough to complete special courses.
How users rated this criterion:Job responsibilities
The professional duties of a chemical analysis laboratory assistant depend on his qualifications. Consider general job responsibilities. Prepares reagents and equipment for work. Conducts analyzes of varying complexity, determines the content of substances in the analyzed materials, determines the quality of materials (viscosity, solubility, specific gravity) and vapors (elasticity). All received data is recorded in the journal. Under laboratory conditions, it synthesizes substances. Assembly, adjustment of laboratory equipment and monitoring of their work, compliance with safety regulations when using chemicals, safety of reagents and equipment used is also the responsibility of the laboratory assistant.
Type of labor
Mostly mental work
Profession Chemical analysis laboratory assistant- this is a profession of predominantly mental work, which is more connected with the reception and processing of information. In work Chemical analysis laboratory assistant the results of his intellectual reflections are important. But, at the same time, physical labor is not excluded.
How users rated this criterion:Features of career growth
Chemical analysis laboratory assistants are especially in demand in the chemical and petrochemical industries. This branch of production has always been distinguished by prestige, relevance, high income of its employees and career opportunities. Vertical career growth implies an increase in the level of qualification from 2 to 4. If desired, there is a chance to get the position of head of the laboratory.
Career Opportunities
Minimum career opportunities
According to the results of the survey, Chemical analysis laboratory assistants have minimal career opportunities. It does not depend on the person at all, just a profession Chemical analysis laboratory assistant does not have a career path.
How users rated this criterion:There are many professions, the result of activity in which is practically not noticeable to the layman. Scientists are also among the people of such labor. At the same time, it is they who largely contribute to technological progress, which, in turn, changes the world in the most radical way. Entire groups of specialists involved in various aspects of studying the surrounding world, properties and characteristics of objects take part in this work. A significant contribution to the common cause of the development of human knowledge is also made by a laboratory assistant whose duties involve the performance of research on various metals, ores, oil products, as well as other materials and substances. The data obtained is required to ensure the control of the characteristics of the products for their admission to further technological and production processes.
General information about the position
The main task of a laboratory assistant in this area is to obtain information of a chemical nature. In this case, the studied objects can be any. In addition to the already mentioned metals and petroleum products, a chemical analysis laboratory assistant can work with gases and vaporous components. Further use of the results may be different. The simplest example is when a certain production needs to achieve specific product properties. To do this, technologists use chemical laboratories, which determine the compliance of a substance with the requirements of the prescribed standard.
Recently, issues of environmental protection have been relevant, which is reflected in the tightening of regulations for the automotive industry and fertilizer manufacturers. In the first case, a chemical analysis laboratory assistant can work on studying the characteristics of the properties of materials used in the construction of a car, and in the second, to identify the properties of a fertilizer that are dangerous for the soil layer.
Requirements for candidates for the position
Despite the seemingly high share of responsibility that falls on laboratory assistants, in this case, the requirements for applicants for such vacancies are quite light. For example, higher education is not mandatory. It will be enough to present a diploma from a technical school or college. Nevertheless, the job description of a chemical analysis laboratory assistant requires very specific knowledge, without which it is impossible to perform duties in this profession. In particular, the laboratory assistant should know the following:
- Fundamentals of chemistry, at least its general course, as well as physical and analytical areas.
- Chemical-physical methods.
- The device and rules of operation used in the process of apparatus and instruments.
- Characteristics of radioactive substances and the nuances of handling them.
- Fundamentals of choosing methods for performing analysis.
- Methods for the determination of metals from the noble group.
- Fire safety, labor protection and sanitary rules.
Responsibilities
Representatives of this profession still belong to the support staff. Nevertheless, the job description of a chemical analysis laboratory assistant provides for a rather wide list of duties, including:
- Carrying out analyzes of rare metals, including rare earth and noble ones.
- Perform complex alloy analyzes according to established methods. For example, it can be nickel, cobalt, titanium and other alloys.
- Arbitration analysis.
- Perform analyzes of explosive substances using chromatographs using methods based on complex chromatogram calculation schemes.
- Carrying out analyzes by atomic absorption method.
- Performing tests that require the use of radioactive substances.
- Participation in the development of new methods of analysis.
- Testing methods that are recommended
for hosting. - Performing equipment settings.
- Acceptance of material submitted for examination.
Rights of laboratory assistants
Again, it is worth noting that the profession is quite modest in terms of leadership function, and in most cases, its representatives perform auxiliary tasks. Therefore, the rights are very limited. First of all, the laboratory assistant can submit proposals to his immediate supervisor that relate to his activities or the work of the laboratory. Also, the profession "Laboratory assistant of chemical analysis" provides for the possibility of obtaining data and information of a methodological nature from specialists in order to fulfill their duties. In order to achieve the highest quality results of the analysis, the laboratory assistant may require additional assistance in organizing research and experiments.
Responsibility
In case of non-performance or dishonest performance of their direct functions, the laboratory assistant is liable in accordance with the standards established by the Labor Code of the Russian Federation. Such cases may include the following:
- Non-observance of safety precautions, which, by the way, is especially important in chemical analyses.
- Fire safety violation.
- Failure to comply with the labor regulations in force at the enterprise.
It also assumes responsibility for other violations caused by a chemical analysis laboratory assistant during the performance of his duties.
Ranks in the profession
There are 7 categories of this profession, each of which implies its own level of complexity of operations that a laboratory assistant can perform. The first two grades, for example, allow him to take on the simplest homogeneous analyzes without first separating the components involved. The third and fourth categories of chemical analysis laboratory assistants increase the complexity of procedures by expanding the range of substances and characteristics under study. For example, those skilled in the art can determine properties such as solubility, viscosity, and specific gravity. The next step allows laboratory technicians to perform complex analyzes that involve the same metal alloys based on nickel, cobalt and titanium. The difference between laboratory assistants of the 7th category is the increase in the technological level of the methods used, as well as the use of specialized equipment.
Labor protection rules
In addition to the general requirements that are aimed at ensuring the safety of employees of a chemical analysis laboratory assistant, it also implies compliance with a number of special rules.
First of all, special attention is paid to working with harmful elements and substances. Such analyzes can only be performed in rooms where a forced ventilation system is provided. At the same time, a specific airflow suction rate is also set: not lower than 0.5 m / s. Also, a chemical analysis laboratory assistant who works at the enterprise should receive personal protective equipment free of charge. For example, a bathrobe and boots are issued for a year, an apron is calculated for six months, and gloves for a month.
What is the salary?
Laboratory assistants cannot boast of generous pay. By the way, novice employees receive 10-15 thousand rubles. As their work experience and, accordingly, their rank increase, they can already claim 20-30 thousand rubles. However, higher wage levels are rare and occur only in large cities. The most promising direction for this profession can be considered the petrochemical industry. In such industries, there is a rather intensive improvement in the qualifications of chemical analysis laboratory assistants from the 1st or 2nd up to the 4th category. In this case, the position of the head of the laboratory can be considered as the highest point of a career.
Conclusion
The profession of a laboratory assistant in recent years is gaining its once-lost relevance and prestige. Of course, in itself this place is not so attractive when compared with the work of specialists in different fields. However, a chemical analysis laboratory assistant, whose duties at the first stages are within the power of a wide range of graduates, has good opportunities for gaining experience. It is precisely as the initial stage of career formation that this profession is considered not only by scientists, but also by technologists, teachers and specialists in related fields. Of course, there are serious disadvantages in such work, due to close contact with chemicals. It is enough to name the risk of burns, allergic reactions and poisoning.
Chemical analysis laboratory assistant- a specialist who conducts chemical and physico-chemical analysis of substances in the laboratory. The profession is suitable for those who are interested in chemistry (see choosing a profession for interest in school subjects).
Short description
The work of a chemical analysis laboratory assistant is the basis for the quality of products in any sector of the national economy. Chemical analysis of raw materials is necessary to control the compliance of the products of the technological process and finished products with existing standards. The laboratory assistant of chemical analysis essentially provides control of the industrial process and the production of products with desired properties.
The specifics of the profession
The work of a chemical analysis laboratory assistant is to:
- performing laboratory analyzes, measurements, namely, in determining the qualitative chemical composition of a substance and the quantitative ratios of chemical elements and compounds in it;
- the implementation of the synthesis of chemicals in the laboratory;
- presentation of the results of the analyses.
In modern laboratories, in addition to flasks, test tubes, reagents, balances, chemical analysis laboratory assistants have the opportunity to use computer data processing programs, mechanical and automatic measuring instruments of varying degrees of complexity.
The volume and complexity of the studies performed depend on the category of chemical analysis laboratory assistant and are prescribed in job descriptions.
Pros and cons of the profession
Pros:
- indoor work;
- personal responsibility for their own work, which the laboratory assistant performs from start to finish;
- regular working day;
- surcharges for the harmfulness of working with chemicals.
Minuses:
- work involves risk and danger to life
- high responsibility for the life and health of people
- exposure to chemicals, fumes, drafts from fume hoods
- shift work
- in some industries, work in protective equipment (mask and gloves)
Place of work
Chemical laboratories in various industries: chemical, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, building materials, aniline-paint, paint-and-lacquer, etc.
Personal qualities
- the ability to concentrate and distribute attention for a long time;
- good sensory memory;
- well-developed coordination of hand movements;
- good reaction;
- neuropsychic stability;
- olfactory and tactile sensitivity;
- personal organization;
- pedantry;
- accuracy;
- attentiveness;
- responsibility;
- discipline.
Salary
The salary of a laboratory assistant depends on the region and place of work, industry, category. High salaries in the prestigious petrochemical industry. The minimum salary of a laboratory assistant is 20 thousand rubles, the maximum is up to 36 thousand rubles.
Salary as of 12/10/2019
Russia 16000—35000 ₽
Moscow 30000—55000 ₽
Career
Career growth within the profession is possible by increasing the level of qualification from 2 to 7. To obtain 5, 6, 7 categories, you need to get a secondary specialized education in the profession. The next stage of career growth is the position of head of the laboratory. Advanced training of a chemical analysis laboratory assistant is possible both at the enterprise itself and in industry-specific educational institutions of the advanced training system for workers and employees.
Qualifications
Complete general secondary education and vocational education without work experience requirements or complete general secondary education and vocational training at work. Advanced training and work experience in the profession of chemical analysis laboratory assistant, 2nd category - at least 1 year.
Knows and applies: fundamentals of general and analytical chemistry; ways to install and check titles; properties of the reagents used and requirements for them; the methodology for conducting analyzes of medium complexity and the properties of the reagents used; state standards for performed analyzes and marketable products in the serviced area; rules for using analytical balances, electrolysis plant, photocalorimeter, refractometer and other similar devices; requirements for the quality of samples and analyzes; processes of dissolution, filtration, extraction and crystallization; rules for setting up laboratory equipment.
Description of work, tasks and job responsibilities
Carries out an analysis of medium complexity according to the approved methodology without preliminary separation of the components. Determines the percentage of a substance in analyzed materials by various methods. Determines the viscosity, solubility, specific gravity of materials and substances with a pycnometer, vapor pressure according to Reid, induction period, acidity and carbonization of the analyzed products, flash point in a closed crucible and solidification of oil and oil products. Installs and checks simple titles. Conducts various analyzes of the chemical composition of various samples of ore, chromium, nickel, chromium-nickel steels, cast irons; aluminum alloys, products of metallurgical processes, fluxes, fuels and mineral oils. Determines the content of sulfur and chlorides in oil and oil products. Carries out complex analyzes and determines the physical and chemical properties of paint and varnish products and cement on special equipment. Selects solvents for paints and varnishes. Weighs the analyzed materials on an analytical balance. Sets up laboratory equipment, assembles laboratory installations according to existing schemes under the guidance of a highly qualified laboratory assistant. Monitors the operation of the laboratory installation and records its readings.
