Week 1

Question 1

What are the scientific management skills?

Answer 1

1. Job negotiation
2. Grants
3. Laboratory leadership
4. Time management
5. Data management
6. Publishing
7. Mentoring

Question 2

What is the “basic” domain of research?

Answer 2

Pure science, in pursuit of knowledge

Question 3

What is the “applied” domain of research?

Answer 3

The use of basic research to create a product

Question 4

What is the “clinical” domain of research?

Answer 4

Research with human patients or their samples to search for new or better medications

Question 5

What are Academic labs?

Answer 5

Lab will have a main focus in which an overall question is addressed, and each lab scientist will have their specific question to answer

Question 6

What are the lab members in academic laboratories?

Answer 6

-Principal investigator who focuses on administration, grant writing (known as intellectual guide)
-Senior scientists/postdocs
-Technician (research assistant)
-Graduate students (masters or Ph.D.)
-Undergraduate students/summer students
-Sabbatical faculty (member from another department or university)

Question 7

What are industrial labs?

Answer 7

Labs that focus on manufacturing, center around a business prospective and link engineering and science

Question 8

Who are the lab members in industrial labs?

Answer 8

-Laboratory manager (supervisor) to oversee daily work, monitor project progression, they may work at the bench, may only be administrative

-Industrial technicians/technologists who apply basic research to manufacturing,

Question 9

Who can be a mentor?

Answer 9

Lab manager
Senior technician
Fellow co-workers

Question 10

Which global pharmaceutical companies is Canada in collaboration with?

Answer 10

Roche, Sanofi, Bayer

Question 11

Who is a part of the Clinical Research Team?

Answer 11

-Investigator
-Research coordinator
-Sponsor
-Research Associate
-Quality Assurance Associate
-Nurses
-Technicians

Question 12

What should you consider when starting a technician position? (List of 6)

Answer 12

-Hours
-Dress code
-Safety training
-Emergency protocols
-Assigned common lab jobs
-Lab meetings

Question 13

What are the first things you should do when entering an established lab?

Answer 13

-Who is your superior in command
-Complete safety training
-Meet all staff and determine each of their responsibilities/roles
-Request access to all SOPs, chemical inventories, equipment locations
-Familiarize yourself with laboratory set up
-Discuss your exact job requirements, project specifics
-Determine who you can go to for assistance

Question 14

What should you consider with a laboratory set up?

Answer 14

-Understanding all pieces of equipment
-Open all cupboards and cabinets
-Designated lab spaces vs private space

Question 15

What are some things to consider regarding equipment use?

Answer 15

-Training for all equipment
-Decontaminate (clean) all equipment after each use
-What equipment is needed
-Does the device need to be turned off after use or does it stay on
-Alarms need immediate attention

Question 16

What are the rules when it comes to scheduling?

Answer 16

-1st rule: schedule based on what is logically possible. resource allocation is done later, this yields an optimum schedule
-2nd rule: keep everything in the same unit of time ie: days, hours, and months
-Balance the details
-Don’t schedule more than 4-6 weeks

Question 17

What is back loading?

Answer 17

-Waiting until the last moment to complete a project that should be done over a few weeks

Question 18

What do sales representatives do for the lab?

Answer 18

-Help with laboratory design (set up)
-Help with relocation, project planning
-Help with supply management
-Offer support with equipment
-Offer options with disposables (price/quality)
-Offer discounts since you are spending with them

Question 19

What is an example of a supplier company that offers guides and product discounts?

Answer 19

VWR international

Question 20

How much does a Laboratory technician make in Canada?

Answer 20

$48,386 per year or $24.81 per hour. Entry-level positions start at $37,369 per year, while most experienced workers make up to $62,108 per year.

Question 21

What is suggested once you finish your degree, certificate, or training for a lab technician?

Answer 21

American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) certification exam.

Question 22

What are the required skills for a lab technician?

Answer 22

-Active listening, reading comprehension, written and verbal communication, critical thinking, and organization

Question 23

What is the difference between a lab technician and a lab technologist?

Answer 23

Lab Technicians:

-Need an associate degree or certification
-Perform lab tests under the supervision of lab technologists and other medical personnel

Lab technologists:

-Need a bachelor’s degree
-Have a supervisory and authoritative role in laboratories