school laboratory technicians

tatabubbly

Hey guys, basically got an interview for the above job as an internship with the vec.. can anyone shead any light on this position in a school and any questions i should be aware of??

first time applying for anything like this. i have a masters in science so i hope its enough!

Inspector Coptoor

tatabubbly wrote: »

Hey guys, basically got an interview for the above job as an internship with the vec.. can anyone shead any light on this position in a school and any questions i should be aware of??

first time applying for anything like this. i have a masters in science so i hope its enough!

It's really just what it days in the tin.

You'd Br based in the science part of the school, probably in a prep room.

Your duties would be to prepare the labs in advance for practicals that teachers are going to be doing.

You might have to show new teachers how to do some of the experiments or help a teacher whose main discipline us biology do an electronics experiment for example.

tatabubbly

Good, is it good experience? only reason i'm asking is cos i'm in dire need of science experience and this is one of the only interviews i've got so far

bdoo

When I worked in the UK technicians were there to help with set-up etc, as described above.

In Ireland I don't know of any school off the top of my head that has technicians. I assume it's job bridge? It would be a good platform to get some experience and maybe impress a principal who may hire you next year! assuming you are a qualified science teacher.

In my opinion it makes sense for vec's / schools to use the job bridge scheme for positions like this once there is no teaching involved.

Fizzical

In our school, lab technicians have been most valued for preparation of chemicals and stock control as labs are in constant use. Keeping the labs in good order is also much valued as it is a constant challenge with so many teachers and classes doing practical work and lack of order is a great hindrance.

Preparation of chemicals: know the importance of correct concentrations (and methods of preparation) and labelling; colour coding for safety; some ideas re safe disposal. Keep basic solutions always in stock, have specific ones done in advance in consultation with teachers.

Stock control: be familiar with the DES recommended colour coded system used for the storage of chemicals; have some idea of a method of stock control for equipment, chemicals, glassware. Check out links like the ones below. You don't need to know it all - just know that there are guidelines out there and make it clear that you would be using them. Safety is of paramount importance (safe methods and safety checks), and facilitating teachers to efficiently carry out experiments.

http://chemistry.slss.ie/ch_safetydocs.html

http://chemistry.slss.ie/

http://alison.com/courses/HSA-3 etc

I would be most interested in someone who seemed capable and efficient (NB!), knew what they were doing and had their own ideas - eg make and maintain experiment kits like class sets of equipment for Junior Cert mandatory practicals, or being helpful in trialling Junior Cert investigations. In other words someone who didn't need to be babysat and wouldn't be a liability. I've worked with both extremes!

In my opinion, this would be a very good prep for yourself as a science teacher or for a lab position.

Inspector Coptoor

tatabubbly wrote: »

Good, is it good experience? only reason i'm asking is cos i'm in dire need of science experience and this is one of the only interviews i've got so far

I'm a teacher myself (so cant say if its good experience) but I have worked as a lab tech before (in an environmental lab)

Usually it's only private schools who have lab techs in Ireland.

tatabubbly

Well, tbh, I'm not interested in teaching really, but if I enjoyed the role, I might make it a consideration for doing a h. dip. if I liked it and I knew there was a job waiting for me. Fizzical, thanks very much for the info, its given me a good insight into the job, seems like a good few things that I've done already in my masters but just on a larger scale.

Inspector, I meant was it good experience to have done in terms of getting perhaps a laboratory job outside of schools afterwards?

I'm going to look over the material given and try and get the science syllubus' as well in order to be totally prepared. I would also be happy to do the Allisons courses if I knew I was getting the job, hopefully it will give me a bit of experience so my CV will look better.

bdoo

Fizzical wrote: »

In our school, lab technicians have been most valued for preparation of chemicals and stock control as labs are in constant use. Keeping the labs in good order is also much valued as it is a constant challenge with so many teachers and classes doing practical work and lack of order is a great hindrance.

Preparation of chemicals: know the importance of correct concentrations (and methods of preparation) and labelling; colour coding for safety; some ideas re safe disposal. Keep basic solutions always in stock, have specific ones done in advance in consultation with teachers.

Stock control: be familiar with the DES recommended colour coded system used for the storage of chemicals; have some idea of a method of stock control for equipment, chemicals, glassware. Check out links like the ones below. You don't need to know it all - just know that there are guidelines out there and make it clear that you would be using them. Safety is of paramount importance (safe methods and safety checks), and facilitating teachers to efficiently carry out experiments.

http://chemistry.slss.ie/ch_safetydocs.html

http://chemistry.slss.ie/

http://alison.com/courses/HSA-3 etc

I would be most interested in someone who seemed capable and efficient (NB!), knew what they were doing and had their own ideas - eg make and maintain experiment kits like class sets of equipment for Junior Cert mandatory practicals, or being helpful in trialling Junior Cert investigations. In other words someone who didn't need to be babysat and wouldn't be a liability. I've worked with both extremes!

In my opinion, this would be a very good prep for yourself as a science teacher or for a lab position.

What sort of school do you work in fizzical? Just curious as to whether the technicians are dept funded

Fizzical

Lol - ye must forgive me, I'm teaching a long time! I'm in a voluntary secondary school, it's not private.

Years ago we had 3 technicians through a Fas scheme. One was good, one was fine and one was problematic (very slow, not knowing how to prepare chemicals, being over -familiar with the students etc). Recently we had an assistant rather than a trained technician - she was a part time teacher who took the extra hours which were after school, and paid by the school. She was great, ultra efficient. Two hours twice a week made a huge difference with her. It's not that great knowledge is required really but basic cop on is essential. You can always tailor the jobs to suit who you have if they have that cop on.

It's difficult to get the school to fund hours even though I'm really concerned about safety in the stress filled teaching situation and the constant overuse of the labs. We considered hiring an intern and got as far as filling out the forms but I couldn't bring myself to bring someone in - and have me telling them what to do and maybe putting them under pressure - and all for no pay.

OP, how many hours are being advertised for this job?

tatabubbly

Fizzical wrote: »

Lol - ye must forgive me, I'm teaching a long time! I'm in a voluntary secondary school, it's not private.

Years ago we had 3 technicians through a Fas scheme. One was good, one was fine and one was problematic (very slow, not knowing how to prepare chemicals, being over -familiar with the students etc). Recently we had an assistant rather than a trained technician - she was a part time teacher who took the extra hours which were after school, and paid by the school. She was great, ultra efficient. Two hours twice a week made a huge difference with her. It's not that great knowledge is required really but basic cop on is essential. You can always tailor the jobs to suit who you have if they have that cop on.

It's difficult to get the school to fund hours even though I'm really concerned about safety in the stress filled teaching situation and the constant overuse of the labs. We considered hiring an intern and got as far as filling out the forms but I couldn't bring myself to bring someone in - and have me telling them what to do and maybe putting them under pressure - and all for no pay.

OP, how many hours are being advertised for this job?

Fizzicle, the hours are 35 hours which I believe is a full teaching week. I'm apprehensive to say the least, I want to get experience but its impossible to get entry level jobs in science, hence why I decided to look at the internships. I currently work part time which I will have to get up.

I mean, I've been in academic labs for the last 5 years as a student so this will be a whole new kettle of fish for me but at least at the end of the 9 months it'll be good to know if I'm any good at this sort of stuff..

Fizzical

I think it's an awful situation that you're giving up a part time job for an 'internship'. Still, if you think it'll help you long term I hope you get it. There's a great buzz in a school and you'll enjoy it!

RealJohn

Don't suppose it's County Dublin VEC, no?
*crosses fingers and hopes for a lab tech*

tatabubbly

Fizzicle, thats the situation in the job market atm!!

Realjohn, its in the northwest i'm afraid! really looking forward to my interview now and hopefully i get it!

tatabubbly

Hey guys, thanks for all the help! i got offered the job! i'm delighted

Fizzical

tatabubbly wrote: »

Hey guys, thanks for all the help! i got offered the job! i'm delighted

That's great - enjoy it! Sorry you're not coming to my school....

tatabubbly

Thanks very much. can't wait to get started!

bdoo

It's a good idea. We have an assistant librarian, an assistant sports coach and an assistant caretaker on job bridge this year. I cant help feel that they are been taken for a ride though. I suppose €50 is better than a kick in the arse.

Maybe we can get a woodwork technician next year!!

tatabubbly

Bdoo, i'm not sure if you meant that sarcasticly or not. i've looked high and low for a job so if i choose to do this, its to get experience and is my way of getting my first rung on a ladder to a lab job. I dont want to be a teacher so please dont throw it in my face.

i'll be working part time as well which means i'll be paying taxes

bdoo

tatabubbly wrote: »

Bdoo, i'm not sure if you meant that sarcasticly or not. i've looked high and low for a job so if i choose to do this, its to get experience and is my way of getting my first rung on a ladder to a lab job. I dont want to be a teacher so please dont throw it in my face.

i'll be working part time as well which means i'll be paying taxes

No tatabubbly I'm just saying that I do feel that maybe people are being exploited a bit by the scheme, 35 hours for €50 when you could stay at home on your backside and not have the travel costs etc.

I hope that it works out for you and that you get a job from it- that's the idea after all. I'm not sure where you got the thing about it being thrown in your face. Best of luck! :-)

doc_17

There might not be many lab tech jobs in the future. As long as job bridge stays more and more schools will ifth look to hire them in the cheap.

But hopefully that won't happen. Best of luck